Goethe-Zentrum's Coimbatore centre opend
The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to India, Bernd Muetzelburg (third right), at the inauguration of the Coimbatore centre of Goethe-Zentrum on Friday.For Germans, India has become a wonderful economy. It has always meant much. Now its importance is increasing day by day, Bernd Muetzelburg, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to India, said here on Friday.Inaugurating the Coimbatore centre of Goethe-Zentrum, an institut to promote German language and culture, he said language was something very special.“If you do not understand the language of a country, you cannot understand the people.”The inauguration on the GD Charities premises was jointly organised by the Goethe-Zentrum, and the Coimbatore Indo-German Cultural Association.The venture was to mark the 75th year of the relationship the GD Naidu family had with Germany.The centre would operate under the aegis of Goethe Institut, New Delhi.Mr. Muetzelburg said that 2006 was observed as the “Year of India” in Germany. Many events were conducted throughout the year. More than the economic and other relationships both the countries held, the most important was the people to people relationship. Such a relationship could be created only through culture, he said.
Stefan Dreyer, Director, Goethe-Zentrum, South Asia, said that a strategic partnership existed between the two countries in culture and language.“We see a great love for the German language in India. It is considered a major foreign language. The need for more German teachers is on the rise. We are spreading our network of teaching centres.”B.K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, Chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Coimbatore Kendra, spoke.The programme began with a performance by a German music band ‘Fun Horns’.The German classes would begin in the first week of October. The teachers would be from Germany. A short-term course called “Fit for Germany” for business people would also be held.The association would offer memberships to students, individuals and corporates.The membership would give members access to watch films and exhibitions, use library resources, and view German television channels.
