At the end of last month, the Concord High School (CHS) German Club gathered at Cheers Grille & Bar in Concord to celebrate its 20th anniversary “Stammtisch”! In Germany, a Stammtisch is a table at restaurants that is always reserved for “the regulars,” creating a welcoming space for conversation, community and connection.
The Concord tradition began in the summer of 2006, when a group of enthusiastic CHS
students returned from the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) exchange in Wegberg, Germany and asked their German teacher, Laura Ernst, for a way to continue practicing their conversational German. She helped them organize the very first CHS Stammtisch and for the past 20 years, Stammtisch has continued during school vacations at local Concord restaurants.
Since its inception, Stammtisch has become a key way for CHS students to speak German in an authentic setting outside of the classroom and connect with German speakers of all ages and abilities. Using a creative blend of English and German is also welcome. In between meetings, current CHS members create fundraising opportunities in ensure that joining in the Stammtisch is accessible for all students.
The 20th anniversary celebration brought together current CHS German students, GAPP
participants recently returned from Germany, CHS German and GAPP alumni, and German-speaking community members. Seven different GAPP exchanges were represented, including members of Stammtisch’s founding 2006 cohort. It was a wonderful evening honoring two decades of language learning, cultural exchange and lasting friendships.
A special “Danke!” to Cheers Grille & Bar for hosting Stammtisch throughout the years
and helping keep this tradition alive!