The History of German Days in Alberta
With the annual celebrations of German Days in Edmonton and Calgary, the German-Canadian Association of Alberta revitalized one of the most significant events in Western Canada's history, an event of great organizational endeavour.
For eleven years - from 1928 to 1939 - German-Canadians met in the prairie provinces to celebrate their cultural heritage from the old country. The first German Days celebrations were held in Edmonton, where on 8 - 9 August 1928 German-Canadian settlers and their descendants gathered to celebrate their culture and language. Three prominent members of the German-speaking community in Edmonton were instrumental in the introduction of German Days: these were Gustav Koerman, founder of the Alberta Herold; pastor and U of A professor Dr. Rehwinkel, who promoted German language instruction in Alberta; and Bernhard Bott, the editor of the Courier in Regina.
Deutsche Tage 1930 in Victoria Park, Edmonton
This event represented the largest expression of German-Canadian activity in Western Canada, attracting between 3,000 to 8,000 people. Most of them were people who did not belong to German-speaking clubs or organizations. They welcomed this occassion to renew old ties and make new contacts in the greater community despite bad roads and long distances. In Saskatchewan, German Days started in 1930 and alternated between Regina and Saskatoon. In Winnipeg, the German Association of Manitoba was founded for the sole purpose of organizing German Days. In 1934, German Days was introduced in Toronto.
At that time, as today, the German population consisted of a diverse group with many talents which were displayed on this occasion. German Days then were not that much different from German Days today. The choirs have always enjoyed great popularity; sports activities, folk dancing and art displays were even then part of this colourful kaleidoscope. Traditionally, officials from the government and celebrities from the community were also invited to participate in this celebration. German Days continued until the outbreak of World War II.
Deutsche Tage 1992 at the Victoria Soccer Club
In 1986, the German-Canadian Association of Alberta, recognizing a need for such an event in the German-speaking community, resurrected the German Days. The event grew so that it spanned three days and enjoyed the participation of both old and young alike, from many areas of the province. It was renamed as the German Culture Festival in 1996, and alternated for some years between Edmonton and Calgary.
In 2005, the GCAA took steps to expand the exposure of both German Days and of the German-Canadian community by holding the German Days Volkfest on Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton, coinciding with the FIFA World Cup Soccer grand opening in Germany.
Since then the German-Canadian Association of Alberta has not organized the German Culture Festival. A Sunday German Cultural Day / Deutscher Tag Volkfest continued to be organized by the Victoria Soccer Club, and held at their clubhouse and soccer grounds at 14020 - 142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta.
