As part of the CCGES Film Series, we are pleased to present a free screening of director Hans Weingartner’s highly acclaimed film, “The Edukators”. This German–Austrian co-production is a humorous and thought- provoking work which tells the story of Jan and Peter, two young Germans in their mid twenties with disdain for the inequalities they see in the society surrounding them. Impatient with demonstrating and distributing leaflets, they turn instead to direct action, breaking into the empty homes of Berlin’s rich to teach them a lesson. The pair steal nothing, but leave behind creative chaos including scribbled slogans such as “the days of plenty are numbered”. When Peter’s girlfriend Jule joins the group for one of their expeditions, however, the group unexpectedly encounters a homeowner and find themselves forced to consider the relationship between their beliefs and actions.

Professors Susan Ingram and Christina Kraenzle will introduce this film and facilitate a discussion after the screening. (CONTINUE READING)

The Canadian Centre for German and European Studies at York University is pleased to be presenting an event featuring Mr. Georg Preusse, an internationally acclaimed German cabaret and theatre performer best known for his character “Mary” on Monday, March 3, 2008. Working in the subgenre of Travestie, a German counterpart of drag and an offshoot of the political cabaret tradition, Mr. Preusse will use this event to present and discuss a selection of clips of his performances. The evening will open with an introduction to contemporary German cabaret and the development of Travestie by Tatyana Shestakov, CCGES Diploma Student and PhD candidate, Humanities.

After beginning his career as a female impersonator in the late 1970s, Georg Preusse first came to prominence in the late 1970s as part of Mary & Gordy, a cabaret duo which set attendance records and helped elevate the standing of Travestie in Germany, turning it into a mainstream theatrical genre. In 1987, after a successful year long tour of Europe, Preusse and his performing partner Reiner Kohler retired their act and Preusse launched his career as a solo performer. Subsequently, he has emerged as one of the most prominent German-speaking solo performers in the world. His creative work, as a performer and writer, explores both political and social issues. His performances combine drama and comedy, songs and conférence, and all are characterized by a strong connection with his audiences. Preusse has received numerous awards for his work as a Travestie performer and has worked extensively as an actor in both theatre and television.

Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Renaissance Room, 001 Vanier College

For information on travel to York University and the event’s exact location, visit: www.yorku.ca/yorkweb/maps/keele.htm

For more information on this event, please contact Tatyana Shestakov at tatshes@yorku.ca

The European Politics & Society Workshop is a monthly, interdisciplinary forum for discussing work in progress. This month the workshop welcomes Dr. Phil Triadafilopoulos of the University of Toronto’s Department of Political Science, and participants will discuss his paper “Illiberal Means to Liberal Ends? Immigrant Integration Policies in Europe.” (CONTINUE READING)

CCGES and the Department of Political Science Feminist Speakers Series are please to present this panel which will discuss contemporary legal debates around the veil within Europe and North America. Panelists will speak to recent concerns and legislation with regards to the practice of veiling and female Muslim subject formation in England, France/Turkey, and Canada. The panel will be followed by discussion and an opportunity to engage with their timely and critical research. (CONTINUE READING)

‘Schultze Gets the Blues’, was a surprise hit for German director Michael Schorr in 2003 and 2004, and tells the story of Schultze, a man who has spent his whole life in a small town in a small eastern German. Schultze’s life, divided between work and the pub, his allotment garden, folk music and fishing, is rudely interrupted when he and his mates Manfred and Juergen lose their jobs. As maintaining the daily routine deteriorates into a farce, Schultze stumbles upon a program of zydeco music on the radio and finds himself drawn to its fiery spirit. (CONTINUE READING)