The international Society for German-American Studies will hold its 29th Annual Symposium program May 6-7 with more than 30 presentations covering music, religion, language, literature and lore, migration and history. All sessions on Friday and Saturday are free, open to the public and will be held at Grand Valley State University's DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Wilhelm and Mary Seeger, both professors of German in the Modern Languages and Literature Department at Grand Valley State University, are coordinating this year's symposium, as they did in 2001. Last year it was held in New Ulm, Minnesota.
"We've been a part of this organization from its beginnings," said Mary Seeger. "We're delighted to be able to show our university and our city to such a distinguished group."
Presenters are scholars and people of German ancestry from across the United States and around the world. The Keynote Address will be delivered at 8:40 a.m. Friday by retired British Army Major Tony Clunn, author of Varusschlacht (The Quest for the Lost Roman Legions.)
Several sessions will be of particular interest to West Michigan residents:
Author Thomas H. Logan will speak at 10:40 a.m., Friday on local German-American houses and his book, Almost Lost: Building and Preserving Heritage Hill Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Michigan German views from the Civil War are being presented during the session at 10:15 a.m., Saturday. Mary A. Seeger will present "The Civil War Letters of Grand Rapids German Joseph Herkner" and Walter D. Kamphoefner, from Texas A&M University, will present "Dietrich Gerstein of 'Hinterwald' Michigan: An Immigrant Soldier's Life in Letters."
"The German-Americans in Grand Rapids" will be presented by Wilhelm W. Seeger at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
The final event, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Saturday, is a poetry and prose reading presented by several members of the Society of Contemporary American Literature in German.
For more information or a complete schedule call (616) 331-3588.
