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South Africans in Germany

January

Happy new Year!
Although some towns will keep their Christmas lights on until the second week in January, it can feel a bit quiet and dull, especially after the Christmas festivities and Silverster parties. 
Take the time to regenerate and relax with cozy fire places, hearty food and warm drinks with friends or just by snuggling up under a blanket with a good book
We have some great suggestions below for relaxing with friends or keeping active in the cold

For those who suffer from the lack of sunshine, or (SAD), you can find information and tips on our Seasonal affective Disorder page.

SeasonWinter
TimeWinter Time. One hour behind South Africa
Weather

The temperatures averages between -2.8 °C and 2.1 °C.
It can of course be much colder, depending on the location.
Snow is likely in the mountain areas.
Coastal cities have a milder climate and the possibility of snow is low.
January is the coldest month in Germany, and also the darkest
The average daily sunshine hours is 1.6 hours.

Plan your month

everything you need to know

Festivals

There are no real festivals in January. The biggests events are New Years Eve (Silvester) and New Years day. An old tradition on New Years Eve is to eat Raclette with friends, and do “the same procedure as every year” by watching Dinner for One on Television. If you would rather go out for the evening, many towns have concerts or fireworks shows on the 31st of December.  You can buy your own fireworks, but only for a limited time. Be extra careful when using fireworks, many people end up in emergency rooms due to burn wounds. Restaurants also have special menus but you need to make a booking in advance. 
Read more about German New Years Traditions on Deutsche Welle

Fun Activities

Snow Info

Holidays

HolidayDateInformationStates
Public Holidays
New Year's day / Neujahr01.01.2023All
Epiphany/ Heilige Drei Könige06.01.2023BW, BY, ST
Observations
NoneAll

Events listed on our website

Virtual get-together 15 June 2023

15/06/2023 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Join us for a casual monthly get-together. The idea is to get to know other Southern Africans, support each other and share our ideas and tips on life in Germany. Follow the Skype link: Skype Meeting  – You do not need a skype account to participate Planned for 2023: 13 July 10 August 14 September […]

South African London Boat Party in London

19/08/2023 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Join a bunch of fun-loving South Africans for a 3-hour party cruise on the Thames followed by a gathering at a local pub/club for the Ultimate South African After Party. When Summer is in London, it is time for the best jol, the South Africans Boat Party on the Thames River. Join a bunch of […]

African Picnic Schwäbisch Hall

16/06/2023 – 17/06/2023 @ All Day – Music, art and culture of Africa This is an external event share for information purposes only Info can be found on their website 

SIBUSILE XABA & ESINAM at Privatclub Berlin

31/05/2023 @ 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm – This is an external event and only shared by us for information purposes Sibusile Xaba and ESINAM are kindred spirits in music and their collaboration brings healing to body and soul. As multi-instrumentalists, the two artists translate messages from their ancestors through rhythms and grooves. Their vocals heighten the trance into rhythmic patterns that bring […]

Jo Black live in Amsterdam 15 July

15/07/2023 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Jo Black – Hoop in Afrikaans Jo Black bring HOOP vir SLEGS EEN AAND in Amsterdam, op 15 Julie 23. Dit is die eerste keer wat Jo sy treffers na Nederland bring. Voorvertoning deur Dewald Wasserfall This is an external event and not organised by us, we share it for information purposes only Tickets can […]

INDIGO WAVES AND OTHER STORIES Exhibition – Berlin Gropius Bau

05/04/2023 – 13/08/2023 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm – The Gropius Bau and SAVVY Contemporary are delighted to present the project INDIGO WAVES AND OTHER STORIES: RE-NAVIGATING THE AFRASIAN SEA AND NOTIONS OF DIASPORA – running from 6 April to 13 August 2023 at the Gropius Bau and from 21 April to 4 June 2023 at SAVVY Contemporary. The multi-chapter exhibition brings together works […]

INDIGO WAVES AND OTHER STORIES Exhibition – Berlin

20/04/2023 – 04/06/2023 @ 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm – South African multidisciplinary artist Thania Petersen at SAVVY Contemporary in Berlin as of 20 April 2023: The Gropius Bau and SAVVY Contemporary are delighted to present the project INDIGO WAVES AND OTHER STORIES: RE-NAVIGATING THE AFRASIAN SEA AND NOTIONS OF DIASPORA – running from 6 April to 13 August 2023 at the Gropius Bau and […]

Afrika festival in Birkenried 26 – 29 May

26/05/2023 – 29/05/2023 @ All Day – Afrika festival in Birkenried – Music food and good vibes This is an external event that we share for information purposes only. We are not responsible for ticketsales   More info – http://www.afrika.birkenried.de/

Trevor Noah in Berlin

28/06/2023 – 01/07/2023 @ 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm – South African comedian Trevor Noah has shows booked for Berlin. This is an external event that we share for information purposes. We are not responsible for ticket sales. Tickets can be bought on Eventim Dates 28 June to 01 July. Tickets for 27 June are sold out

Some foods and drinks to try

01.

Kale

Grünkohl, usually served with Speck, Wurst or Kasseler 

02.

Hearty Food

If you want to warm up, try some hearty food like Kohlroladen, Stews and soups

03.

Wirsing

Savoy cabbage is delicious with cream or cheese

04.

Schlachtplatte

Leberwurst, blutwurst und kesselfleisch served with cabbage

05.

Venison

Venison is still in season and is delicious with red cabbage

Fruit and Veggies in Season

Vocabulary

Winterder Winter
Snowder Schnee
Sleetder Graupel
Freezing Fogder Eisnebel
Sledgingdas Rodeln
Cross country skiingDer Langlauf
SkiingDas Skifahren
Venisondas Wildfleisch e.g. Das Hirschfleisch, das Rehkeule,  Das Wildschweinfleisch (Wild Boar)
Red Cabbageder Rothkohl, das Rotkraut, das Blaukraut
Savoy cabbageder Wirsing
Happy New Year!Guten Rutsch!
Happy New YearFrohes neues Jahr
A peaceful and blessed new yearEin friedvolles und gesegnetes neues Jahr

Sources

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