By Ian

Guten Tag!

Today (Feb. 25), Hong Kong Metropolitan University Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKMU LiPACE) collaborates with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Hong Kong to bring the German "Karneval" to campus and share the unique regional culture of Germany.

Karneval is the second most important festival in Germany after Christmas. Traditionally held from February to March each year, it features banquets, parades, and parties where people celebrate and revel to bid farewell to winter and welcome the arrival of spring.

Mrs. Stefanie Seedig, Deputy Consul General of Germany to Hong Kong and Macau, visited the HKMU LiPACE Kwai Hing campus to introduce the diverse and vibrant cultures of the 16 federal states in Germany. Alongside a few other guests, they talked about the history and origin of different Karneval celebrations as well as the meaning behind each Karneval folk customs.

Students also dressed themselves up as iconic elements of German culture, sharing the significance of their chosen representations within the German community.

During the event, both guests and students enthusiastically participated in two German Karneval traditions: candy throwing and tie cutting by women. In the German Karneval celebrations, candy throwing symbolizes the spreading of joy, where individuals toss candies to share the festive spirit with those around them. On the other hand, the tradition of women cutting off men's ties symbolizes a temporary change of power, taking away male authority and power for the day.

The event continued with students highlighting the significance of football in German culture, emphasizing the love and passion it holds for the German people. They shared their stories while wearing football jerseys from well-known clubs such as Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Wolfsburg, etc.

The event ended with a delightful tasting of some of Germany's most iconic dishes, including the German Sausages (Bratwurst) and Emperor's Cake (Kaiserschmarren). The sausages were delicious, I found myself thoroughly enjoying them despite not typically being a big fan of such!

In conclusion, I found today's event incredibly interesting, engaging, and informative. It provided a wonderful opportunity for people to gain a deeper understanding of Germany and its rich cultural heritage. From the informative presentations by Mrs. Stefanie Seedig and other guests, to the interactive experience in traditional German customs such as candy throwing and tie cutting, the event truly captured the spirit of German culture. It was a very memorable event.

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