Author: Heidi Charters

The German Consulate General will offer consular services in New Orleans on the afternoon of Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Deutsches Haus. Appointments are to be made at rk-s@hous.diplo.de by Feb. 4th.

The following consular services will be available:

• Information on family matters including certification and acceptance of name declarations and applications for birth registration
• Information on citizenship matters and acceptance of applications
• Delivery of name certificates
• Certification of signatures for declarations of consent, renunciation of inheritance etc.

Please be aware that applications for biometric passports and identity cards cannot be accepted due to technical reasons. Such applications can be submitted with the honorary consul, Ms Susanne Veters Cooper, upon appointment.

Fees can only be paid in cash in US dollars. Credit cards will not be accepted. Please keep in mind that appointments are mandatory. Please contact the Consulate General by Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at rk-s@hous.diplo.de and include the following information:

• full name
• mobile number
• specify your request (if a certification of signature is needed please include the document that needs to be certified)

Information on consular services including all necessary documents can be found on the Consululate’s website at www.germany.info. Please make sure to bring all necessary documents in their original form along with copies as requested on the website.

The Consulate General is looking forward to meeting you in New Orleans!

Did you know that you can thank Germany (not Hallmark) for bringing some traditions to Christmas as we know it?

Christmas Tree – The Germans started the tradition of decorating the Tannenbaum originally with fruits and trinkets, and then wax candles. We have come a long way creatively since when it comes to holiday tree decorating!

Gingerbread Houses – based on a holiday tradition in German Opera houses to build miniature replicas of the gingerbread story from Hansel and Gretel that spread to bakeries.

Nutcrackers – the Nutcracker was the hero of an early 19th-century story by Berlin’s E.T.A. Hoffman, which was later adapted for the famous Russian ballet. Carving of the actual nutcracker figures began in rural Germany and was known for its incredible detail and artistry.

Advent Calendar – at the beginning of the 19th century, the Advent calendar started as a written way to count down the days until Christmas. Gerhard Lang eventually started printing Advent calendars and later added little doors to reveal the date or the scripture.

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Deutsches Haus will be celebrating the holidays with events that will bring German traditions to the banks of Bayou St. John.