British-German Association

BGA Carol Service
2019-12-12 | Protected:
Save the Date! Our now traditional and ever popular carol service with the acclaimed choir The Cantus Ensemble, followed by Gluehwein and Stollen, will be held once again at Christuskirche Knightsbridge on Thursday 12th December at 1900 hours. The reception will end at around 2100 hours.
Please click here to book your place: MEMBERS’ AND NON-MEMBERS’ TICKETS

2019 Sir Frank Roberts Memorial Trust Lecture given by Dr Norbert Röttgen MdB
2019-12-09 | Protected: Order – September 27, 2022 @ 09:48 AM
Copyright: Steffen Roth
The British-German Association invites you to attend a lecture at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by Dr Norbert Röttgen MdB on 9th December. The lecture will be in memory of Sir Frank Roberts GCMG, GCVO, the former UK Ambassador to Germany.
Dr Röttgen’s lecture will address the future of British-German relations. He will consider: How will the future relationship between Germany and the UK be shaped? What are the key common interests and what may be the emerging gaps? Where might there be windows for deepening bilateral ties? How can Germany and the UK continue to co-operate on the European and world stage? Where are the opportunities to work together to tackle global challenges?
Dr Röttgen is Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the German Bundestag. He served as the German Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety from 2009 until 2012. He has been a Member of the Bundestag since 1994, and is a senior member the Christian Democratic Party (CDU). Dr Röttgen is a strategic and influential thinker and speaker on international and European issues.
The lecture will be held in English in the Locarno Suite at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH, and will be followed by a reception. Registration opens at 6.00pm for a 6.45pm start. The lecture is generously supported by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

Written and Unwritten Constitutions: The Pros and Cons
2019-11-26
This year, the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz) celebrates its 70th birthday. It was introduced in 1949 as a provisional legal framework for post-War Germany. It has become a cornerstone of the Federal Republic.
There is no single British constitutional document. Constitutional customs have evolved over time in the UK without necessarily being written down.
What are the merits of constitutions generally, and what are the pros and cons of written constitutions? What factors account for the Basic Law’s enduring success, and what challenges, if any, does it now face? Is the UK’s unwritten constitution fit for purpose in a time of political and social division, and what role should judges play in interpreting it?
The BGA and BGJA are honoured to host two leading constitutional judges to discuss these and other questions.
Prof. Dr. Peter M. Huber is a Supreme Court Justice on the Bundesverfassungsgericht (German Federal Constitutional Court), the highest court in Germany for constitutional issues. From 2003-2004, he served as an expert member of the Commission on the Reform of the Federal System of Government established by the German Federal Legislature. In 2009-2010, he was Interior Minister in Thüringen. Born in 1959, Prof. Huber studied law at Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich and at the Université de Genève.
Jonathan, Lord Mance was Deputy President of the Supreme Court in 2017 and 2018, having become a Justice of the Supreme Court on its formation in 2009. Lord Mance sat on the Council of Europe’s Consultative Council of European Judges, becoming its first elected chair from 2000 to 2003. In the House of Lords, he chaired a sub-committee of the European Union Select Committee, scrutinising proposals concerning European law and institutions.
The event will be held in English.
You can watch the event video here:

Password: BGA Constitutions Event

Anniversary Concert celebrating the births of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
2019-11-04
Save the Date: Monday 4th November 2019. This concert celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the births of both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert is being organised by the London Bach Society at St George’s Hanover Square, London. Book your tickets here.

Perspectives on Germany by Simon Winder at The Travellers Club
2019-10-08 | Protected:
Simon Winder is one of the most popular and respected British authors on Germany. His three books on Germany, “Germania”, “Danubia” and “Lotharingia,” are all best sellers. He combines immense erudition and enthusiasm for Germany with a lightness of touch and an irresistible sense of humour that have won him an enormous fan club. In his day job as Publishing Director at Penguin, Mr Winder is responsible for publishing many of the leading British authors on German history and politics.
The discussion will take place at The Travellers Club, 106 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5EP, on Tuesday 8 October. Registration will start at 6.30pm. The event will begin promptly at 7pm and end at around 8pm.
There will be an opportunity for a few members to join Mr Winder for dinner after the talk in the dining room at the Travellers Club after the lecture concludes at approximately 8 pm.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS

BGA's Oktoberfest
2019-09-27
Following its great success last year, we shall be returning to the Octoberfest Pub in the Fulham Road, London SW6 5SA on Friday 27th September 2019. MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS .
Not yet a member? Click here to join and enjoy membership discounts and priority bookings for events.
Click here to purchase non-member tickets for the Oktoberfest!
Each ticket includes: a freshly baked Bavarian pretzel, your choice of main meal from our Oktoberfest menu & of course a 1 litre Stein of imported Bier (or cider or a large glass of wine). And don’t forget there will be live music too.

Cancelled - Celebrating 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage with Wera Hobhouse, MP
2019-09-04 | Protected: Order – February 3, 2021 @ 02:07 PM
Cancelled due to Ms Hobhouse having to take part in Brexit vote
It is hoped to reschedule later in the year
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and born in Hanover Germany, will discuss the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Germany and will discuss her own personal experience of women’s equal opportunities and the consequences women’s suffrage has had with the successes and the challenges that still lie ahead. Tickets for members are free of charge via your membership login. Non members tickets cost £20 per person. For non-members please click here to purchase your tickets via Eventbrite.

REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED for BGA's Annual General Meeting and Summer Drinks
2019-07-09
Registration for this event has now closed. The BGA Annual General Meeting and summer drinks reception will be held on 9th July at 1830 hours. Nord/LB has kindly agreed to host the AGM and reception..

Versailles 1919 - A Centennial Perspective
2019-06-28 | Protected: Subscription – Mar 23, 2022 @ 08:12 PM
On 28 June 1919 the Treaty of Peace between the allied and the associated powers and Germany was signed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Professor Alan Sharp, one of the most eminent historians in the field, will take a centennial perspective of the Versaille Settlement. Series editor of the 32-volume Makers of the Modern World: the peace conferences of 1919-23 and their aftermath, Professor Sharp sets the consequences into their long-term context. He argues that the responsibility for Euope’s continuing interwar instability cannot be wholly attributed to the peacemakers of 1919-23.

Alan Sharp was Professor of International Studies and Provost of the Coleraine campus of the University of Ulster. His teaching, research and writing has focused on 20th-century international history and British foreign policy after WWI.
Author of Lloyd George and editor of 28 June: the War and Peace that Made the Modern World.

Ticket prices:
£13 – drinks and lecture
£65 – drinks, lecture and dinner

Ticketing for this event will be handled through the Reform Club. To reserve your ticket(s) contact clubevents@reformclub.com.
With your email let the Reform Club know how many tickets you wish to order and that you are a BGA member. They will then contact you.

The Club’s dress code can be seen online at https://www.reformclub.com/home/events.
However the dress code for this event is black tie or lounge suit as preferred.

Parliamentary Day in House of Lords
2019-06-04 | Protected: Subscription – Mar 24, 2022 @ 07:55 PM
The Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable MP
Guest Speaker at BGA’s Highlight Event – Parliamentary Day 2019
4th June 2019 – House of Lords – 12 noon for 1245 pm.
Drinks will be served on the Terrace from 12 noon.
Luncheon will be served at 12.45 pm.
Ticket includes three course lunch, served in the Cholmondeley Room in the House of Lords. Drinks not included.
Ticket Prices per person for BGA Members £80 *
Ticket Prices per person for BGA Members’ Guests £85
Ticket Prices per person for Non-members £100
*Please note that members are enjoying a £20 discount compared to non-members
Click here to download the booking form.
Not already a member of the BGA? Would you like to join us? To join the BGA please click here

Heligoland Book Launch
2019-05-23
Save the Date: Thursday 23rd May. An Evening with Jan Rueger – author of this fascinating book, due to published in May. Venue – the LSE’s Thai Theatre in the New Academic Building. Watch this space for more information in due course.

An Ambassadorial Debate: Germany and the Transformation of Europe
2019-04-02 | Protected:
Germany and the Transformation of Europe in the 1990s: An Ambassadorial debate
2nd April 2019 – 1830 hours
The Traveller’s Club, 106 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5EP
On April 2, the BGA is honoured to host a discussion between two former British Ambassadors to Germany.
Sir Christopher Mallaby GCMG, GCVO was British Ambassador to Germany between 1988 and 1992. He was therefore Ambassador at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the thirtieth anniversary of which we celebrate this year. His memoirs, “Living the Cold War,” are due out shortly in paperback.
Sir Paul Lever KCMG was British Ambassador to Germany between 1997 and 2003, and is the longest-serving Ambassador to united Germany. He was Ambassador at the time that the capital of Germany moved from Bonn to Berlin. His book, “Berlin Rules,” is required reading for anyone seeking to understand modern Germany.

The discussion will take place at the Traveller’s Club, 106 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5EP, on Tuesday 2 April. Registration will start at 6.30pm. The event will begin promptly at 7pm and end at around 8pm. There will then be an opportunity for a few members to have dinner with the Ambassadors afterwards.
At the wish of the Traveller’s Club the deadline for ticket / dinner reservation is Friday 22nd March 1800 hours.
Click here to book your tickets
Ticket prices are:
Members: £12
Members’ guests and non-members: £20
Students: £5
Dinner (excluding ticket): £65 per head for members only
(Please email Sue Austin at bgalondon@btconnect.com directly if you have any food allergy)
Not yet a member? Would your guests like to join The BGA? Then click here to join https://www.britishgermanassociation.org/shop

Private Tour of Ruffer's collection of defaulted bonds and banknotes
2019-03-14
Join us for an exclusive visit to Ruffer’s offices to view its eclectic and fascinating collection of defaulted bonds and banknotes.
14th March 2019 – 1900 hours
Ruffer LLP – 80 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5JL
Ruffer, the investment management firm known for its risk-averse approach to investing, has a unique collection of defaulted bonds and banknotes, including a number of Weimar era bonds. This collection is on display at Ruffer’s headquarters in London. Ruffer is kindly making it possible for a small number of BGA members to view this collection. Alexander Chartres an Investment Manager at Ruffer will give us a tour and explain the history and significance of key items in the collection
Ruffer will also be generously providing wine and canapés at a reception for those attending.
Numbers are strictly limited so please book your tickets early to avoid disappointment. Please click here to book your tickets.
Members: £20
Non-Members £30
To join the BGA please click here and benefit immediately from membership ticket prices.

BGA Young Members' Stammtisch
2019-02-19 | Protected:
If you’re 35 years old and younger, please join us for our first Young Members’ Stammtisch of the year for a taste of Heimat at Herman ze German in Fitzrovia! Bring your friends and find out more about the Young Members’ programme of the BGA, whilst enjoying some delicious German treats and beer that can be purchased at the bar.
Tue, 19 February 2019 – 19:00 – 21:00 GMT – Herman ze German, 43 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RS
To register, please book your places here by 17 February https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/young-bga-stammtisch-tickets-55989408829
Not yet a member? If you’re 35 and under membership is only £20 per year and gives you access to an exclusive variety of events. To find out more about the work of the BGA and how to become a member, please follow this link.
Bis bald!

New Year Reception
2019-01-22 | Protected: Subscription – Mar 28, 2022 @ 10:29 PM
The BGA is delighted to be able to offer its members and friends the opportunity to purchase tickets for its annual New Year Reception
By kind permission of HE The German Ambassador, the BGA’s New Year’s Reception will take place on 22 January 2019 at German House, 34 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QB.
We do hope you will be able to join us for what is always a most enjoyable and very popular event.
Please click on the Eventbrite link to book your tickets! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-year-reception-2019-tickets-53952724050
Tickets for BGA members are £15 each. Should you wish to bring guests there are a limited number of guest tickets available at £25 per head. Our ticket prices remain the same as last year. However, as a result of rising costs for the BGA, we will no longer be absorbing Eventbrite charges.
We very much hope that we shall see you on the 22nd January!
