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Press Release: New North-West Network Looks To Strengthen German Understanding

Date: 23 February 2015

A new group has been set up in the North West to promote all things German in the region.

The Northwest German Network is an initiative involving schools, colleges, universities and businesses.

And the network is holding its launch event on Tuesday, March 10th at the Manchester Central Library in St Peter's Square, with the event starting at 4.30pm.

Guests will include the Honorary Consul to the Federal Republic of Germany, Mark Green and representatives from the German Embassy in London and the British Council.

Educational establishments involved in the project include Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester Universities as well as Cardinal Newman College in Preston.

The launch will start with speeches and prize-giving for an inaugural writing and design competition to consider: 'What is German in the Northwest?', which has received entries from students across the region.

Youngsters, aged from nine to 18, have been taking part in the project, which has been co-ordinated by the North West German Network, to increase their knowledge of the links between Germany and the region.

The prize-giving will be followed by a drinks reception and an opportunity to view competition entries and the 'Germans in Britain' exhibition in the library.

The pop up exhibition has been touring the country and is a chance for people to examine the rich and fascinating history of German migrants to Britain.

Emily Spiers, Research Associate at Lancaster University's Department of Languages and Cultures, is one of the organisers of the network launch and the competition, which has challenged students of all ages.

They've been asked to design posters, write poems and newspaper articles, produce short films, create songs and design games. These will all be on show at the launch event.

Emily said: "We're hoping to attract people who are interested in Germany from across the North West. The network has been set up to link all things German, from teaching the language to business and culture.

"We're also hoping that the new body will be of help to students, who are interested in exploring and strengthening the links that exist between this part of the UK and Germany.

"We've been really encouraged by the response to the network idea, plus the fantastic entries that we've received for the launch competition.

"They highlight the talent and enthusiasm that exists in our classrooms today.

"From nine-year-olds to teenagers, the work and imagination that has gone into their entries is superb and visitors to the launch event will be amazed.

"They'll also get the chance to see a fantastic exhibition, which looks at the life and experiences of German migrants to the UK.

"It has had some great reviews and highlights again that there is much more to Anglo-German relations than football and war.

"Germans have had an immense impact on British life over the centuries and this exhibition looks at how many of our institutions and lifestyles have been shaped by this."

For more information about the new Northwest German Network, please visit www.nwgn.co.uk. To attend the launch, see competition entries and visit the exhibition, please contact Emily Spiers: e.spiers@lancaster.ac.uk.

Further information

Associated staff:

Associated departments and research centres: European Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, FASS Enterprise Centre

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