The Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg (DSJ) celebrated their 125 year anniversary with a festival week which started on 11 September and ended on 19 September. Marketing and public relations manager from DSJ Savo Ceprnich said that the week was jam-packed with events to commemorate the DSJ milestone.
Ceprnich said that festivities started with an opening concert on 11 September, where the four German schools from Southern Africa performed under the direction of conductor Richard Cock. “The hall was packed full with just under 1 000 people, who were able to see the talented musician Jann Klose” Ceprnich said.
Ceprnich added that the concert was followed by the German Fair, Volksfest, where German food, drinks and culture was the order of the day during this festive occasion. Ceprnich pointed out that the week was all about celebrating the school’s history and this was represented at a church service held at the Friedenskirche in Hillbrow on 13 September. The next day saw the premiere of the theatre production, Woyzeck, which is one of the biggest productions in the school’s history and both shows were well-received by the audience, Ceprnich added.
He further said that the pupils planted trees and plants at the school’s back garden to commemorate Arbor Day on 17 September.
Most importantly the Festival Week celebrated the pupils of the school. According to Ceprnich, on 15 September, the day was aimed at the pupils who enjoyed a wide variety of activities which included a session with the drummers of the Drum Café; face-painting for the kindergarten pupils; dancing for the primary school; the planting of time capsules which will be opened in 25 years; the creation and eating of the birthday cake and finally a massive Colour Fest. These activities and the many others from the day will be remembered by the pupils for the rest of their school days.
