Archive:
Free time and leisure

A rich cultural and recreational programme of excursions is an integral part of the Weimar Summer Courses. The programme offers you the chance to get to know the unique cultural landscape of Weimar and its surroundings as well as to spend time with other course participants.

On Monday afternoon (23^rd June) two guided city tours give you a first impression of the “Cosmos of Weimar” (approx. 2 hours). You will not only visit the ‘obligatory highlights’ such as Goethe’s and Schiller’s houses, the castle, the National Theatre and Herder’s church, but also learn many additional facts, for instance, why Johann Sebastian Bach was arrested for a couple of days by the Duke, or that Marlene Dietrich had studied for one semester in Weimar. You will see where the Bauhaus was established in 1919. You will see where great writers and composers lived and worked and where they now lie in the historic cemetery. And you can see both wonderful examples of architectural classicism as well as administrative buildings from the Nazi era.

As dusk falls over the Museuspark (as it was coined in a fairytale from the “classical period”), the first celebration begins: the opening evening with international buffet. Extending the German saying “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” to intercultural understanding, we invite all course participants to bring and present typical culinary delights from their homeland.

On Tuesday morning (24^th June) Hellmut Seemann, president of the Weimar Classic Foundation, will describe his view on the interaction between Classic Weimar and the European values and, no doubt, provide us with much food for thought for the days to come.

On Wednesday evening (25^th June) the first open-air film evening in the Museuspark (just in front of your accommodation) will be organised which, weather and interest permitting, will be continued during the course. First, we will present the German film “The Lives of the Others, telling the story of an officer of the ‘Stasi’, the former East German secret service, who in the process of observation switches sympathies and pays bitterly for his change of mind.

On Thursday afternoon (26^th June) we will take a walk through the Castle and Park at Tiefurt. The natural surroundings, originally coined an “Arcadian Archetype” by Duchess Anna Amalia, continue to fascinate to the present day. However, we are here not only to indulge our interest in cultural heritage – it is also a good opportunity to vent your urge to move, play football or volleyball at the edge of the park or simply relax and chat in the grass.

On Friday (27^th June) we will offer an international folk dance evening. But no fear, prior experience is not needed – the group will familiarise you step for step with Polka and Polonaise.

On Saturday (28^th June) your course coordinators have a break, but you have the chance to take part in one of three full day excursions: by train to Erfurt or to Jena (both are around 20 km from Weimar) or by bus to Leipzig.

Finally, on Sunday morning (29^th June) you have a well-earned day of rest and a chance to gather your impressions after an intensive week full or new experiences. In the afternoon we offer you a facultative guided tour of the Memorial to the former Concentration camp Buchenwald outside Weimar. It stands as a reminder to the darker chapter of German history, but may help you understand the German culture, and possibly your own culture a little better or at least in a new light.

On Monday afternoon (30^th June) we will discover some of the small treasures of the surrounding area, and visit some Thuringian villages with their picturesque old village churches. In the church at Denstedt, the Weimar organist and composer Michael von Hintzenstern will present a concert at the well-known Liszt-organ exclusively for the course participants. Later on, we will walk to the former Wieland estate Oßmannstedt. There you may visit not only the Wieland museum and the historic park. You will also get to know the internationally-known “Thüringer Bratwürste” (Thuringian sausage). Vegetarian sausages and steaks will also be on offer (though every Thuringian will tell you they are infinitely inferior to the real thing). Jokes aside, vegetarian and Muslim fare will be available throughout the entire two week course.

On Tuesday evening (1^st July), another open-air film evening in the Museuspark will be organised: We will present the film “Half Stairs”.

On Wednesday (2^nd July), you are invited to a singing-evening around the camp fire. As with common meals, singing together brings people together in a different way than the seminars can. Keen singers can begin practising at home and songs from your homeland are particularly welcome.

Our walks through the parks of Weimar have become customary by now (3^rd July, late afternoon). As one of last year’s participants said, “A sunset in the park with red wine and romantic poems is beauty for the soul”.

On Friday (4^th July), the penultimate day, the courses have the opportunity to present the outcome of their two weeks work. All participants are invited to take part!

On the final day, (5^th July) the courses draw to a close. After discussion and analysis in the individual courses, we will come together and celebrate once more. Then who knows when we will meet again?

Your participant’s card gives you free access to the museums, libraries and archives in Weimar. If you are looking for particular sources or experts (e.g. for your academic work), we will be glad to help you.

Last but not least, we would like to mention our partner – the ACC. These letters stand for an ambitious gallery and exhibition centre for contemporary arts, as well as for something akin to our Course café (www.acc-weimar.de), where you can also surf on the internet day and night (almost).