German Days 2025 Celebrated at the University of Kelaniya
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The German Days 2025, organized by the Centre for International Affairs, German Studies Section of the Department of Modern Language and the University Library with the support of the Goethe Institute Sri Lanka and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), were celebrated on the 28th and 29th of January 2025 at the University of Kelaniya.
Info Days to offer a journey through Germany, language, culture, study, and career opportunities were held at the University Library on the said two days which were attended by the university community and more than 300 children from schools offering German as a subject.
The German Days started with a reading session by the acclaimed poet and essayist Max Czollek from Germany which was successfully held on the 21st of January, with the participation of staff and students of German Studies. The event was organised by the Centre for International Affairs in collaboration with the Goethe Institute, Sri Lanka
German Days also marked a donation of German books to the University Library by the family of late Mr. Friedhelm Greve from Germany. The collection included rare books, dictionaries, encyclopedias and complete works of renowned German authors.
The Cultural Show of German Days was held at the Sri Dharmaloka Hall of the University under the auspices of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, on the 29th of January. The proceedings commenced with the welcome address by Senior Professor Neelakshi C. Premawardhena, Director of the Centre for International Affairs. Following the insightful speech by the Vice-Chancellor the audience was addressed by Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Ven. Senior Professor Nedalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, Head of the Department of Modern Languages; Mr. Stefan Winkler, Director of the Goethe Institute; Mr. Rakitha Karunarathna, Head of the Language Department, Goethe Institute; Ms. Nimaya Manudeva, Regional Officer German Academic Exchange Service; and Mr. Nadeesha Palliyaguru, President of the Sri Lanka German Teachers’ Association. The Winners of the Creative Writing competition held for the students of German were awarded certificates by Ven. Senior Professor Nedalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero and Mr. Stefan Winkler.
Over 300 undergraduates of German presented items that included a dramatized excerpt from Verwandlung - a German novel by Franz Kafka, an adaptation of the Ballad Erlkönig by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, video presentation by the fourth year students of German Studies on their journey of four years at the university, and famous German songs. Ms. Samali Irugalbandara, Temporary Assistant Lecturer in German served as the compère for the event, introducing the performances to the audience.
The event was attended by Deans of Faculty, Heads of Department, academic staff, staff of the library, executive officers, German Studies alumni, undergraduates and over 300 school children.