German Day is an annual event of competitions and fun for middle and high school German students sponsored by U-M's Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures.
2024: Die deutsche/österreichische/Schweizer Küche:
Essen und Getränke im deutschsprachigen Raum
German day is scheduled for April 12, 2024. This year's theme is Die deutsche/österreichische/Schweizer Küche: Essen und Getränke im deutschsprachigen Raum.
Food in German-speaking Europe certainly reflects national heritage and culture, but the increased synthesis and incorporation of international and multinational dishes have expanded current culinary options beyond Bratwurst, Spätzle, Wienerschnitzel, Fondue and Sauerkraut.
We encourage you to explore both traditional food and drink as well as newer trends in the food scene with your students in addition to the origin and development of dishes, and the cultural festivities that celebrate them.
Where was Currywurst invented – Hamburg or Berlin? Could Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte have actually originated in Switzerland and not the Black Forest? Do we have the Reinheitsgebot to thank for our current food safety regulations? Did Switzerland base their fondue recipe on a Chinese dish?
We wish you Guten Appetit as you investigate the history and importance of the myriad dishes served in the German speaking world!
Questions? Please email German.Day@umich.edu.
