Sharing German culture

Catherine Kruse Evergreen reporter

Lebkuchenherz and apfelsaftschorle will be on the menu at this week’s International Coffee Hour.

The Office of International Programs is hosting its Coffee Hour this Friday in celebration of German culture, including Oktoberfest.

While Oktoberfest is most famous for beer, the making of lebkuchenherz, or German gingerbread, is another tradition. These heart-shaped gingerbread cookies are made into necklaces and decorated with frosting. Mostly used for decoration, they can also be eaten, said Bianca Sillak, a German exchange student and intern for International Programs.

These cookies will serve as refreshments along with the nonalcoholic drink apfelsaftschorle, which is apple juice with sparkling water.

Oktoberfest, the world’s largest fair and a 16-day celebration of beer, was developed from the celebration of a wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese, Sillak said.

Last weekend, Sillak gathered friends to make gingerbread hearts for the Coffee Hour.

“We do Coffee Hours every Friday and the topics are related to certain cultures,” she said. “Students can learn new things about other countries by coming here.”

Sillak supplied the recipe, ingredients and heart-shaped cookie cutters for the volunteers.

“I think the most difficult part was getting used to the way America bakes,” said Katharina Rettig, a German exchange student at WSU. “We use grams, teaspoons, and a balance instead of cups.”

The group made a couple dozen cookies for the coffee hour.

“I thought it was fun,” said Caylene Eddings, a WSU student volunteer and International Center intern. “My favorite part was eating the cookies.”

Sillak will be presenting Germany’s history and traditions at this week’s Coffee Hour, including the traditional dress for women known as a Dirndl. She explained how women tie the bow for the apron determines if they are single, in a relationship, or a waitress during the festival.

Attendees will be able to decorate their own lebkuchenherz at the Coffee Hour this Friday, Oct. 25 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the McCroskey Hall lobby.