The German-Maltese Circle was founded on the 18th October 1962 with the aim of "promoting closer understanding between Germany and Malta in all appropriate fields of activity and relationship, excluding political activities". From a very modest beginning with a membership of about 60 persons and with no fixed premises of its own, the German-Maltese Circle grew through the years into a leading national adult education and cultural centre housed in a beautiful palace in the middle of Valletta.
The German-Maltese Circle is an independent, non-profit making organisation which is administered by dedicated persons who freely oblige themselves to promote the Circle's ideals. To this end, the German-Maltese Circle has regularly organised various activities such as exhibitions, film shows, cultural tours, forums, lectures, seminars, concerts, choral performances by visiting German choirs, liederabende, social and sports events - in fact, anything which helps to make especially the Maltese public more conscious of German culture and the German way of life. Between 1987 and 2002 the German-Maltese Circle has been responsible for the Pavilion of German products and services in the Malta International Trade Fair.
A newsletter is regularly issued to help keep in touch with the Circle's members.
A very important activity of the German-Maltese Circle is the organisation of German language courses to adults and to schoolchildren. These courses which are very well attended are run under the auspices of the Goethe Institute which has granted to the Circle a Teaching Commission with Examination Licence. The Circle also offers specialised courses in German (say, for hotels or business) as well as conversation classes in German and a course for Germans to learn Maltese. Amongst the facilities offered, one finds a well-equipped book, audio, video and film library, research and reference facilities, computer-aided learning software and German TV reception via satellite. Since 1981, the German-Maltese Circle has made it possible for persons resident in Malta to sit for the examinations offered by the Goethe Institute. Full cooperation is maintained by the Circle with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Malta, the Goethe Institute, the Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband and with many other German and local institutions.
It is impossible to mention the many personalities who have honoured by their presence the German-Maltese Circle, but perhaps one could mention Professor Ralph Dahrendorf, then Under-Secretary of State who having recognised the potential of our Association in the field of bi-lateral relations between the two countries, in 1971 approved the granting of regular financial assistance from the Government of the Federal Republic, Dr. Richard von Weizsacker who visited Messina Palace in 1990 as the first Federal President of a united Germany and President Prof.Dr. Horst Köhler in 2007.
Membership to the German-Maltese Circle is open to all persons over 18 years of age although persons between 14 and 18 years are accepted as Junior members. The German-Maltese Circle also offers the possibility of Corporate bodies to become members.
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