British-German Association

Hitler’s Mein Kampf: Reflections 100 Years On
2025-07-10 17:30 - 18:30 (Europe/London) | Senate House, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HU
This event is also the LBI Summer Lecture 2025
On 10 July 2025, from 5.30 to 6.30pm, the Leo Baeck Institute invites BGA members to their Summer Lecture on Hitler’s Mein Kampf: Reflections 100 Years on. Hitler and the history of the Nazis remain extremely popular topics and ones that never cease to attract people’s interest, even fascination. It is crucial to comprehend the nature of Mein Kampf, the mindset of its author, Adolf Hitler, and the ideology he espoused that brought untold tragedy to millions of people – death, destruction, genocide and war. The book presents a dangerous set of ideas, regrettably ones that still have followers today, one hundred years after Mein Kampf was originally penned. This lecture focusses on some key themes of the text, as well as examining the work in its historical context.
Lisa Pine is Fellow of the Institute of Historical Research, School of Advanced Study, University of London. Her main research interests are the history of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. She is the author or editor of nine books, the most recent of which is a co-authored book (with Kees Boterbloem), Soviet and Nazi Posters: Propaganda and Policies (Bloomsbury, 2025).
Please register your space here: https://www.lbilondon.ac.uk/events/leo-baeck-institute-london-lecture-series-2025/hitlers-mein-kampf-reflections-100-years

Annual General Meeting 2025
2025-07-14 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
The BGA’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Zoom on Monday 14 July at 6:30pm.
At the AGM, we will be reporting on the activities of the Association and sharing details of our plans for the year ahead. We will be electing the Officers and Executive Committee members for the coming year. It is also an opportunity for you to ask questions.
Please note that registration is necessary for the event. Only logged-in members of the BGA will be able to see the Zoom registration link (starting https://) below. Once you have logged in to your BGA account, please navigate back to this page via the “Events” tab on the menu bar and register below. If you are still unable to see the Zoom registration link after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date, or contact us.

Silent Catastrophes - translations of the works of W.G. Sebald
2025-07-15 19:00 - 20:30 | St George’s German Lutheran Church, 55 Alie Street, London, E1 8EB
On Tuesday, 15 July 2025 at 7pm, fans of German writer W.G. Sebald are invited to St George’s German Lutheran Church for a special evening with Dr Jo Catling, Sebald’s most recent English translator. A lecturer at the University of East Anglia – where Sebald taught until his untimely death in 2001 – Dr Catling will discuss her new translation of his lectures in conversation with Rick Jones, Chair of the St George’s Local Committee. Copies of the book will be available for purchase on the night, courtesy of Waterstone’s Broadgate. Click here for booking details: https://www.stgeorgesgermanchurch.org.uk/current-events

Introducing the German Business Hub
2025-09-04 18:30 - 20:30 | German Business Hub, 42 Essex Street, London, WC2R 3JF
On Thursday, 4 September 2025 from 6.30pm, join us for an exclusive evening at the German Business Hub in London. You will be welcomed by Alex Altman, founder of the hub, and introduced to the rich history of the historic Temple district in London’s Westminster, where the German Business Hub is located, by Mahnaz Malik from The Temple Society. Artist Petra von Hardenberg will give you a guided tour through the hub that showcases her artwork while offering insights into the intersection of business and creativity. The evening will conclude with a small drinks reception which is an opportunity to network and mingle.
The German Business Hub is a SME incubator, specialising in helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) enter and grow in the UK. With a deep understanding of the business environment in both Germany and the UK, their mission is to bridge the gap between these two dynamic economies.
The hub was founded by Alex Altmann. He is a partner at Lubbock Fine LLP and a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA). He earned a Business Bachelor’s degree at the Berlin School of Economics and Law in Germany and also participated in a Tax Law Master’s programme at the Queen Mary School of Law, University of London.
Artist Petra von Hardenberg most recently taught at the Continuing Education Centre of the Freie Universität Berlin and was awarded the “Kreativradar” by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Brandenburg for “Artistic Interventions in Companies”. Her exhibitions include zeitenwende at the German Business Hub (2023/2024), and preussischblau at von Poll Immobilien Berlin (2018/2019).
Booking has now closed. If you still wish to attend please contact Tamara.

Little Germany in London and the History of St George's Lutheran Church
2025-09-22 18:00 - 20:00 | St George’s German Lutheran Church, 55 Alie Street, London, E1 8EB
Join us on Monday, 22 September 2025 for an evening talk with Rick Jones at 6pm, exploring the rich and often overlooked history of St George’s German Lutheran Church—the oldest surviving German Church in Britain, dating back to 1762-63. Founded by Dederich Beckmann, a prosperous sugar boiler, the church became a vital spiritual and cultural hub for German immigrants working in Whitechapel’s sugar refineries, butcher shops, and bakeries. Known as Little Germany, this East End enclave thrived until the First World War brought drastic change in 1915.
You’ll also experience a demonstration of the church’s rare Walcker organ, the only one of its kind in the UK.
Following the talk, we welcome anyone who is interested to join us at a nearby pub for more conversation and connection.
This event is now fully booked, please get in touch with Tamara at office@britishgermanassociation.org if you have any questions.

Riefenstahl - Kate Conolly in Conversation with Andres Veiel
2025-09-25 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
Join us on Thursday, 25 September 2025 from 6.30 to 7.30pm on Zoom for a conversation between film director and script writer Andres Veiel and journalist Kate Connolly on the documentary Riefenstahl. Andres is considered one of the most distinguished representatives of politically engaged art in Germany. In addition to his film works Andres Veiel writes and directs stage plays , i.a. at Theater Basel, Schauspiel Stuttgart, Gorki-Theater and Deutsches Theater (Berlin). Kate Connolly is the Guardian’s Berlin correspondent. She previously worked as a foreign correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, and first contributed to the Guardian in 1997.
Riefenstahl offers a captivating insight into the private estate of Leni Riefenstahl, who became world-famous with her Nazi propaganda film Triumph of the Will but kept denying any closer ties to the regime. She remains one of the most complex and controversial figures of the 20th century. As the Third Reich’s most prominent filmmaker, her works Triumph of the Will and Olympia are celebrated for their technical brilliance and visual innovation, while simultaneously serving as powerful tools of Nazi propaganda. Andres’ compelling documentary draws on rare and previously unpublished materials from Riefenstahl’s personal estate, including private films, photographs, recordings, and correspondence. It offers a critical exploration of her life, her carefully constructed legacy, and the enduring influence of her aesthetic.
Please note that registration is necessary for the event. Only logged-in members of the BGA will be able to see the Zoom registration link (starting https://) below. Once you have logged in to your BGA account, please navigate back to this page via the “Events” tab on the menu bar and register below. If you are still unable to see the Zoom registration link after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date or contact us.

Broken Republik - In Discussion with Chris Reiter and Will Wilkes
2025-10-02 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
On Thursday, 2 October 2025 from 6.30 to 7.30pm members are invited to attend an event with Andra Riemhofer being in discussion with Chris Reiter and Will Wilkes about their latest publication Broken Republik: The Inside Story of Germany’s Descent into Crisis.
For decades, post-war Germany was seen as a model of recovery, admired for its economic strength, political stability, and cultural influence. Major firms like Mercedes-Benz, Siemens, and Bayer became global leaders, and reunification after the fall of the Berlin Wall appeared seamless. Germany seemed to guide the course of Europe. However, even at its peak, there were signs of fragility, particularly a lack of cohesive national identity. As conditions shifted, these cracks widened. Industrial scandals, overreliance on Russian energy following the nuclear phase-out, and deepening inequality contributed to growing instability and the rise of the far-right AfD. In Broken Republik, journalists Chris Reiter and Will Wilkes explore how Germany, despite its past successes, now finds itself ill-equipped to face mounting challenges. Their account is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the country’s current political and social unraveling.
Chris Reiter has worked as a journalist covering economics, politics and business news. For more than twenty years, he has been based in Berlin where he has chronicled Germany’s political and economic struggles. He is a senior editor for Bloomberg after previously reporting for Reuters and Dow Jones Newswire.
Will Wilkes is based in Frankfurt and has spent his working life writing about Germany, travelling across the country to talk with politicians, executives, union leaders, and workers. From terrorism to economic crises to the resurgence of the far right, he has reported on the country’s mounting challenges and fraying social cohesion. He currently writes for Bloomberg and has previously written for Market News International and The Wall Street Journal.
Andra Riemhofer is an independent German business development consultant with a solid educational background in business and intercultural communication. Her most recent book Doing Business in Germany, Second Edition — How to Work Successfully with Germans published in January 2025, is a comprehensive guide on how to interact with Germans to develop long-lasting business relationships.
Please note that registration is necessary for the event. Only logged-in members of the BGA will be able to see the Zoom registration link (starting https://) below. Once you have logged in to your BGA account, please navigate back to this page via the “Events” tab on the menu bar and register below. If you are still unable to see the Zoom registration link after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date or contact us.

Oktoberfest Stammtisch at Albert's Schloss
2025-10-07 18:45 - 21:30 | Albert’s Schloss, 20-24 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EU
Join us on Tuesday, 7 October, from 6:45pm for an Oktoberfest Stammtisch at Albert’s Schloss in London! 🍻 We warmly invite you to a special Oktoberfest Stammtisch, a relaxed evening of good company, German beer, and lively conversation! Whether you’re a native speaker, language learner, or simply a fan of Bavarian culture, come raise a stein with us and celebrate the spirit of Oktoberfest in true German style. Traditional dress encouraged, Gemütlichkeit guaranteed!
This Stammtisch is now fully booked. Please get in touch with Tamara at office@britishgermanassociation.org if you have any questions.

A Life of Dedication: Celebrating HRH The Duke of Kent at 90
2025-10-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
On 9 October 2025, our Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of Kent, celebrates his 90th birthday. Throughout his life, he has been at the heart of the British Royal Family. As a dedicated working member, he supported his cousin, the late Queen Elizabeth II, by representing her both at home and abroad.
His royal duties began at a young age: in 1952, at just sixteen, he walked in the procession behind King George VI’s coffin, and the following year he paid homage to The Queen at her Coronation. Since then, the Duke has continued to take part in key royal occasions and to serve the nation with distinction.
The Duke’s life has truly been one of service. He is actively involved with more than 140 charities, organisations and professional bodies, reflecting a wide range of causes, from commemorating the war dead, to supporting young people, to championing British technology and industry.
To mark this milestone and honour his remarkable contribution, we invite you to join a special online event on Monday 13 October 2025 from 6pm to 7pm on Zoom.
Our Chairman, Peter Barnes, will host the evening, joined by:

Hugo Vickers, royal biographer
Marcus Ferrar, Chairman of the Dresden Trust
Chris James, Head of Brand and Content, Scouts UK
Matthew White, Director of Engagement, Blood Cancer UK

Together, they will reflect on the Duke’s achievements and share personal anecdotes about his lifelong commitment to public service.
Please join us by registering here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8kvnUUbuRGiThTWMwqJwEQ

LBI 70th Anniversary Celebrations: Biennial Lecture 2025
2025-10-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Keynes Library, 43 Gordon Square, London, WC1E 7HX
Writing on the Wall: The Unfolding Persecution of Jews 1933 to 1939
On 23 October 2025 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, the Leo Baeck Institute invites BGA members to attend their 70th Anniversary Celebrations at Keynes Library. This lecture looks at the response of Jews to incidents of persecution and humiliation from Hitler coming to power in 1933 through to the outbreak of the Second World War. It will argue that while the Holocaust could not be predicted the level of persecution escalated during the period.
Professor Frank McDonough is an internationally renowned expert on the Third Reich. He was born in Liverpool, studied history at Balliol College, Oxford and gained a PhD from Lancaster University.
He has written many critically acclaimed books on the Third Reich, including: The Gestapo: The Myth and Reality of Hitler’s Secret Police (2015), Hitler and the Rise of the Nazi Party (2012), The Holocaust (2008), Opposition and Resistance in Nazi Germany (2001), Hitler, Chamberlain and Appeasement (2002), and Hitler and Nazi Germany (1999). He has also published many other books, most notably, The Origins of the Second World War: An International Perspective (2011), The Conservative Party and Anglo-German Relations (2007), Chamberlain, Appeasement and the British Road to War (1998) and The Origins of the First and Second World Wars (1997).
Please reserve your space here: https://www.lbilondon.ac.uk/events/biennial-lbi-lecture/lbi-70th-anniversary-celebrations-biennial-lecture-2025

Celebrating Bach - In Conversation with Michael Maul
2025-11-04 19:00 - 22:00 | St Georges Hanover Square
Book tickets for a truly exceptional evening hosted in collaboration with the London Bach Society This unmissable event as part of the London Bach Society’s 2025 Bachfest promises a rich blend of history, music, and international connection. On Tuesday, 4 November 2025, at 7.00pm, we are organising a musical evening at St. George’s Church, Hanover Square, a historic setting where Handel once worshipped, now marking its 300th anniversary.
This year is filled with remarkable musical milestones. We honour 275 years since the death of Johann Sebastian Bach and 300 years since the première of the 1725 version of his St. John Passion. The evening also marks Felix Mendelssohn’s Todestag, offering a poignant moment of remembrance.
We are thrilled to welcome Prof. Dr. Michael Maul, Artistic Director of the Leipzig Bachfest, who will deliver a keynote address followed by an engaging Q&A session. The evening’s recital – curated by award-winning German bass Florian Störtz – features a compelling programme of works by Bach and Brahms, offering a rare musical experience that bridges centuries and cultures. A post-recital reception will follow, offering the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow guests and celebrate.
Michael Maul is a musicologist at the Bach Archive in Leipzig, artistic director of the Bach Festival Leipzig and professor at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. For many years he has been searching for undiscovered Bach treasures in archives and has made spectacular discoveries. He is the author of numerous books about Bach and the Bach audio biography Universum JSB on Deutschlandfunk Kultur.
German bass-baritone Florian Störtz announced his arrival on the European concert scene with victories at 2023 International Handel Singing Competition as well as the 2023 Helmut Deutsch Song Competition. Together with pianist Mark Rogers he also took the Prix de mélodie at the 2023 Lili et Nadia Boulanger competition in Paris and won the Young Artists Platform at the International Song Festival Zeist, Utrecht 2024.
The London Bach Society, founded in 1946 by Paul Steinitz, is a society devoted to performing the music of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) with small, professional forces, using period instruments in order to obtain an authentic style of interpretation. Every year, the Society organise a Bach Fest in London.
Please log in to your account before accessing the booking page linked below. If you are still unable to access the page after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date, or contact us.
Booking page – Celebrating Bach

Still a Model? What We Can (and Can’t) Learn from German Federalism
2025-11-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Usha Kasera Lecture Theatre, Old College South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL
For decades, Germany’s federal system has been viewed internationally as a model of stability, subsidiarity, and institutional balance. But recent years have seen a more critical discourse emerge, reflecting concerns about the governance, coordination, and resilience of the ‘German model’. Why the Germans Do It Better has given way to Broken Republik.
This event on Tuesday, 11 November 2025 from 6pm to 7.30pm in the Usha Kasera Lecture Theatre, Old College, Edinburgh, jointly organised by the British-German Association and the Centre on Constitutional Change, explores whether German federalism still offers useful lessons for Scotland and the UK. With opening reflections from Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and a conversation with him to follow, the discussion will consider how Germany’s system of territorial governance has evolved, what challenges it now faces, and how this experience might inform ongoing debates about devolution, democracy, and reform in Scotland and the wider UK.
The panel is chaired by Dr Davide Vampa, Co-Director of the Centre on Constitutional Change. Discussants are Dr Elke Heins and Dr Benjamin Martill (Centre on Constitutional Change and Europa Institute).
Please follow the Eventbrite link to book your free place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/still-a-model-what-we-can-and-cant-learn-from-german-federalism-tickets-1795665727529

Jürgen Krauss: The German Christmas Cookbook
2025-11-24 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
Following the success of our 2023 event with Jürgen Krauss, on 24 November 2025 from 6.30pm GMT, BGA members are invited to an exclusive online session celebrating the launch of The German Christmas Cookbook where Jürgen will be in discussion with Abigail Abesamis Demarest, editor at EatingWell.
Jürgen Krauss, renowned for his festive German bakes, will share his passion for holiday treats: from rich, fruity stollen to delicately spiced lebkuchen, marzipan delights, and the iconic gingerbread house. His recipes make traditional German baking approachable, bringing extra joy to your Christmas kitchen. This is the ultimate guide for anyone wanting to make Christmas extra special, offering cakes, tarts, biscuits, breads, and savory snacks for every festive occasion. Recipes include highlights such as Mulled Wine Cake, Yogurt Stollen, Linzer Torte, Christmas Pavlova, and Black Forest Coffee Cake.
Jürgen Krauss was the star of Bake Off 2021, his semi-finals departure triggering over 100 complaints from dismayed viewers. His love for baking began during his childhood in the Black Forest. His travels across Europe, before settling in Brighton, UK, widened his culinary influences, but also gave him the yearning to master German bread-making, the perfect showcase for both his technical precision and creative flavours.
Abigail Abesamis Demarest is a writer, editor and former New Yorker based in sunny Panama City Beach, Florida. Her writing has been featured in HuffPost, Insider, Business Insider, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn and more. She is EatingWell‘s News, Trending & Updates Editor.
Please note that registration is necessary for the event. Only logged-in members of the BGA will be able to see the Zoom registration link (starting https://) below. Once you have logged in to your BGA account, please navigate back to this page via the “Events” tab on the menu bar and register below. If you are still unable to see the Zoom registration link after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date or contact us.

Carols and Readings 2025
2025-12-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Christuskirche, 19 Montpelier Place
On Thursday, 4 December 2025 BGA members and their guests are invited to the BGA’s traditional Carols and Readings we organise jointly with the Christuskirche Knightsbridge. Come and join us for this joyful celebration of Christmas with Fever Pitch choir followed by a reception with traditional Stollen, Weihnachtsgebäck (gingerbread biscuits) and a warming glass of Glühwein.
The Carols and Readings will begin at 7pm GMT and will be led by Pastor Sebastian Fuhrmann. The reception will end at around 9pm GMT.
Music Director: Elinor Corp
Organist: Bernard Barker
Readings, carols and anthems will be in English and in German.To cover the costs of the service and to support our charitable work, we are asking for a contribution of £25 per ticket. If you would be willing to make an additional seasonal donation to the BGA, we encourage you to do so here.
We are expecting high demand for this perennially popular event in the lovely church, so make sure to reserve your place early!
Please log in to your account before accessing the booking page linked below. If you are still unable to access the page after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date, or contact us.
Booking Page – Carols and Readings

German Art at The National Gallery, London
2025-12-11 13:00 - 14:00 | The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
On 11 December 2025 at 1pm, we are delighted to invite BGA members to a curator-led tour of German art at the National Gallery in London. Dr. Emma Capron, Curator of Early Netherlandish and German Paintings, will lead us through the highlights of the collection. Afterwards, those who wish to can join us for coffee and cake.
This event is currently fully booked. Please email Tamara on office@britishgermanassociation.org if you would like to be placed on the waiting list.

Stammtisch at Munich Cricket Club
2026-01-14 18:30 - 21:00 | Munich Cricket Club, Victoria
Book your space for our Winter Stammtisch at the Munich Cricket Club, Victoria, from 6.30pm on 14 January 2026. Whether you are a native speaker, language learner, or just want to meet some like-minded people, everyone is welcome.
Please note that registration is necessary for the event. Only logged-in members of the BGA will be able to see the Zoom registration link (starting https://) below. Once you have logged in to your BGA account, please navigate back to this page via the “Events” tab on the menu bar and register below. If you are still unable to see the Zoom registration link after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date or contact us.

Strengthening Democracy: Civic Engagement and Democratic Resilience in Germany and the UK
2026-01-15 14:30 - 17:00 | Royal Society of Arts, 8 John Adam St,, London, WC2N 6EZ
On 15 January 2026, join us for a conversation with Dr. Jurgen Grotz, Professor Bryony Hoskins and others at RSA House in London on how citizens in Germany and the UK participate in public life. Entry is from 2.30pm with a 3pm start and the event will finish around 4.30pm. This is a joint event between the British-German Association and the Deutsches Institut für Gutes Leben (German Institute for the Good Life).
In a time marked by political polarisation, disinformation, and declining institutional trust, our panel of experts and a moderator will compare the cultural, social, and institutional landscapes shaping civic engagement today. The discussion will spotlight innovative initiatives that energise community participation and nurture more resilient democratic cultures, while exploring what each country can learn from the other.
This event aims to identify current trends and shared challenges to democratic resilience in Germany and the UK, fostering deeper dialogue on how to strengthen citizen engagement across both societies.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Speakers:
Dr. Jurgen Grotz is Director of the Institute for Volunteering Research, at the University of East Anglia (Institute for Volunteering Research (IVR)). He is an author and academic, specialising in volunteer involvement research.
Professor Bryony Hoskins, Chair of Comparative Social Science at the University of Roehampton, is a leading expert on how inequalities shape political engagement and how education can close these gaps. Her latest book, Education, Democracy and Inequality, explores political engagement and citizenship education in Europe and is published by Palgrave Macmillan.
The event will be moderated by Dr. Robert Keeling who is a member of the Deutsches Institut für Gutes Leben.
You can book tickets through this link on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/strengthening-democracy-in-germany-and-the-uk-tickets-1976903211723?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Rise of Right-Wing Populism in Germany and the UK
2026-01-19 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
Join us on 19 January 2026 from 6.30 to 7.30pm on Zoom for a timely online discussion on the rise of right-wing populism in Germany and the United Kingdom with Petra Schleiter, Jonathan Olsen and Ed Turner. This event, jointly organised by the BGA and the International Association on the Study of German Politics (IASGP) explores the social, economic, and political forces driving these movements, how they differ across national contexts, and what their growing influence means for democratic institutions and public discourse. Featuring expert insights and audience Q&A, the event offers a nuanced look at one of Europe’s most pressing political developments.
Petra Schleiter is Professor of Comparative Politics and a Fellow of St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford, and is Director the Centre for Democratic Resilience
Jonathan Olsen is Professor of political science and the Chair of the Department of Social Sciences and Historical Studies at Texas Woman’s University.
Ed Turner is a leading expert on German politics and is also interested in comparative politics, notably in the areas of political parties, federalism and public policy. He works as a Lecturer at Aston University.
Please note that registration is necessary for the event. Only logged-in members of the BGA will be able to see the Zoom registration link (starting https://) below. Once you have logged in to your BGA account, please navigate back to this page via the “Events” tab on the menu bar and register below. If you are still unable to see the Zoom registration link after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date or contact us.

Young Members Event – Diplomacy in Action: A Conversation with Jill Gallard
2026-01-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Deutsche Bank London, 21 Moorfields, London, EC2Y 9DB
Join us at Deutsche Bank, London, on 27 January 2026 from 6.30pm for an exclusive in-person conversation and networking event with Jill Gallard CMG CVO, former British Ambassador to Germany. This special event is designed for young professionals and students under 35 who are passionate about diplomacy, international relations, and global affairs and is organised jointly with The Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership and Next Generation at Chatham House.
Jill Gallard will share insights from her distinguished diplomatic career, discuss the evolving role of diplomacy in today’s interconnected world, and offer advice for those aspiring to shape international dialogue.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage directly with one of the UK’s leading diplomats and connect with like-minded peers interested in building a global future.
This event is now fully booked. Please contact Tamara at office@britishgermanassociation.org for a space on the waiting list.

2026 LSE German Symposium
2026-02-02 08:00 - 2026-02-06 19:00 | London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Houghton Street, London, WC2A 2AE, United Kingdom
SAVE THE DATE
As in previous years, BGA members are warmly invited to attend the LSE’s prestigious German Symposium held from 2-6 February 2026. Initiated in 1998 by German LSE students, the German Symposium has become an important date in the LSE’s calendar and will be hosted for the 25th time in 2026.
Featuring a wide variety of events ranging from keynote speeches by and discussion panels to intimate coffee chats with world-class speakers, the LSE offers time and space for rigorous political debate. An events schedule and booking options will be made available closer to the date through the Symposium’s website.

Out of Hitler's Shadow - Tobias Straumann in Conversation with Frank Trentmann
2026-02-19 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
On Thursday, 19 February 2026 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, the two historians Frank Trentmann and Tobias Straumann will discuss Tobias’s book Out of Hitler’s Shadow: Debt, Guilt, and the German Economic Miracle on Zoom.
The book explores why the United States and its Western Allies chose an unexpectedly lenient approach toward Germany after the Second World War, despite the catastrophic destruction and suffering caused by the Nazi regime. Instead of demanding sweeping reparations, the Western powers decided at the 1952 London Debt Conference to forgo all war-related debts, requiring West Germany to repay only a portion of its pre- and post-war obligations.
This controversial decision challenged conventional ideas of justice, leaving many victims uncompensated. Yet key statesmen – including Dean Acheson, Konrad Adenauer, Robert Schuman, David Ben-Gurion and Moshe Sharett – believed that harsh financial terms would destabilise Europe and hinder long-term recovery. Tobias Straumann reveals how their strategic foresight reshaped post-war Europe and why their choices still resonate today.
Prof. Dr. Tobias Straumann is an economic historian teaching at the University of Zurich and director of the MAS in Applied History. He also writes columns for the NZZ am Sonntag. He is the author of 1931: Debt, Crisis, and the Rise of Hitler (Oxford University Press 2019).
Prof. Dr. Frank Trentmann is Professor of History at Birkbeck, University of London, and at the University of Helsinki. He is the author of Empire of Things, Free Trade Nation, and Out of the Darkness: The Germans 1942–2022. He was a Moore Scholar at Caltech and has been awarded the Whitfield Prize, the Austrian Science Book Prize, the Humboldt Prize for Research and the 2023 Bochum Historians’ Prize.

Please note that registration is necessary for the event. Only logged-in members of the BGA will be able to see the Zoom registration link (starting https://) below. Once you have logged in to your BGA account, please navigate back to this page via the “Events” tab on the menu bar and register below. If you are still unable to see the Zoom registration link after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date or contact us.

Hidden Histories: Queer Lives in Britain and Germany
2026-02-25 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
Join us on 25 February 2026 at 6.30pm for an online discussion celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month. How have queer lives been recorded, concealed, or deliberately erased in Britain and Germany across the 20th and 21st centuries? From criminalisation and censorship to activism, archives, and cultural memory, this event explores the forces that have shaped what we know – and don’t know – about LGBTQ+ histories. Bringing together historians and cultural scholars, the discussion examines how queer experiences have survived in personal testimony, art, and archives, and why uncovering these hidden histories matters today for identity, rights, and remembrance on both sides of the Channel. This event is organised in conjunction with Women in German Studies (W+IGS) and the Association for German Studies in Great Britain and Ireland (AGS).
Our speakers:
Professor Matt Cook is an English social and cultural historian specialising in LGBTQ and queer history, currently the Jonathan Cooper Chair of the History of Sexuality at Mansfield College, University of Oxford. He is known for his influential work on queer urban life, the history of homosexuality in Britain, and LGBTQ heritage.
Professor Helen Finch is a British academic who serves as Professor of German Literature at the University of Leeds, where her research focuses on the representation of the Holocaust in German-language literature, queer identity and memory, and issues of trauma and gender in cultural texts. She co-leads the Queer Area Studies Network and works across Holocaust, queer, and literary studies to explore memory, identity, and marginalised voices in German culture.
Dr Anna Hájková is Reader for modern European continental history at the University of Warwick. Her first book, The Last Ghetto: An Everyday History of Theresienstadt, came out in 2020 with Oxford University Press. She is a pioneer of queer Holocaust history and her work has been awarded the 2020 Orfeo Iris Prize. In 2025, she published People Without History are Dust with the University of Toronto Press. The book has won the National Jewish Book Award 2026.
Please note that registration is necessary for the event. Only logged-in members of the BGA will be able to see the Zoom registration link (starting https://) below. Once you have logged in to your BGA account, please navigate back to this page via the “Events” tab on the menu bar and register below. If you are still unable to see the Zoom registration link after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date or contact us.

Kindertransport in British Memory and Culture: A Roundtable Discussion
2026-03-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
This online roundtable brings together scholars and practitioners to examine the Kindertransport through archival research, personal testimony, and reflective practice. Exploring sources ranging from international archives to refugees’ own words, the discussion considers how the Kindertransport has been remembered, interpreted, and mobilised in British culture, and why it continues to matter today.
Speakers:

Dr Amy Williams (Association of Jewish Refugees) Using international, national, and local archives to construct a transnational history of the Kindertransport
Dr Monja Stahlberger (University of Reading) Listening to Kindertransport Refugees in Their Own Words: how ego documents of the early years in Britain give us unique insights
Howard Falksohn (Wiener Holocaust Library) Kindertransporte: An archivist’s personal perspective

Chair:

Dr Joseph Cronin (Leo Baeck Institute London)

This event is hosted by the Leo Baeck Institute London in collaboration with the British-German Association.
Register here: https://www.lbilondon.ac.uk/events/conferences/kindertransport-british-memory-and-culture-roundtable-discussion

Tamerlano - A Night at the Opera
2026-03-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London, EC1V 9LT, United Kingdom
Join fellow BGA members at Shoreditch Town Hall, London on Friday 27 March 2026 at 7pm for a new production of Handel’s opera Tamerlano featuring some of the composer’s most ravishing and astonishing music. This production, by the London Handel Festival’s Handel Opera Studio, has an exceptional cast with leading Handelian Laurence Cummings as Music Director with the Academy of Ancient Music and award-winning director Orpha Phelan making her baroque opera directorial debut.
Tamerlano is one of Handel’s most powerful psychological dramas that explores the extremes of human nature. This gripping opera recounts the story of the defeated Ottoman sultan Bajazet and his daughter Asteria, ensnared in a web of love, loyalty, and power struggles with the ruthless conqueror Tamerlano.
The evening offers an exclusive area of the bar for BGA members to gather during the interval and meet a member of the opera’s creative team.
Please note that booking tickets for Friday 27th March is necessary through the London Handel Festival website here. Please use code BGA%27MARCH when booking. Please also email Tamara Aberle, the BGA’s Programme and Membership Lead, at office@britishgermanassociation.org to let her know the booking was made.

Oxford’s German Literary Connections
2026-04-17 15:00 - 17:30 | Taylor Institution Library, St Giles', Oxford, OX1 3NA
Join us on 17 April 2026 for a 3.00pm start for a unique opportunity to explore Oxford’s rich German literary connections through two of the city’s most remarkable institutions: the Taylor Institution Library and the Bodleian Library.
This special event will offer a guided journey through Oxford’s German-language collections, highlighting rare books, manuscripts, and stories, including Professor H.G. Fiedler’s tour of Germany with the Prince of Wales in 1913, that illuminate the long-standing intellectual and cultural exchange between Britain and the German-speaking world. From literary classics to lesser-known treasures, participants will gain insight into how German-language texts have been collected, studied, and celebrated in Oxford over centuries.
The event will be jointly led by Emma Huber, Subject Librarian for German, and Martin Kauffmann, Head of Early and Rare Collections, who will share their expert knowledge of the collections and their historical significance. Together, they will bring to life the people, texts, and ideas that have shaped Oxford’s engagement with German language and literature.
This event is ideal for anyone with an interest in German culture, literature, history, or libraries, and offers a rare chance to experience these collections in an intimate, behind-the-scenes setting.
Please log in to your account before accessing the booking page linked below. If you are still unable to access the page after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date, or contact us.
Booking Page – Oxford’s Literary Connections

BGA Stammtisch at Munich Cricket Club
2026-04-21 18:30 - 21:00 | Munich Cricket Club, Victoria
Book your space for our Spring Stammtisch at the Munich Cricket Club, Victoria, from 6.30pm on 21 April 2026. Whether you are a native speaker, language learner, or just want to meet some like-minded people, everyone is welcome.
Please note that registration is necessary for the event. Only logged-in members of the BGA will be able to see the registration link (starting https://) below. Once you have logged in to your BGA account, please navigate back to this page via the “Events” tab on the menu bar and register below. If you are still unable to see the registration link after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date or contact us.

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A New World Order: The UK, Germany and the US in a Changing Security Landscape
2026-04-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
On Thursday, 23 April 2026, from 6.30 to 7.30pm, we invite you to join an online talk on Zoom titled “A New World Order: The UK, Germany and the US in a Changing Security Landscape.”
Prof. Richard G. Whitman, an expert in International Relations at the University of Kent, will be in conversation with Evie Aspinall, Director of the British Foreign Policy Group. The event will be moderated by Dominic Johnson, Foreign & Africa Editor for taz (die Tageszeitung).
Together, they will explore how the current political climate –particularly the United States’ shifting engagement with Europe – is affecting both the UK and Germany, with a special focus on security and the evolving transatlantic relationship.
Drawing on their expertise, the speakers will share insights into what these developments mean for the future of European security and cooperation.
Richard G. Whitman is Professor of Politics and International Relations at the Conflict Analysis Research Centre, University of Kent. At present he is Senior Associate Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). His current research interests include the foreign and security and defence policies of the UK and the EU. He is the author and editor of eleven books and published over sixty academic articles and book chapters on European integration and UK foreign and security policy. His book The UK and the War on Ukraine: Status seeking after Brexit is due for publication in 2026. Professor Whitman is a regular international media commentator. He was an Associate Fellow and former Head of the Europe Programme at Chatham House and a Senior Fellow on the Economic and Research Council’s UK in a Changing Europe initiative and held the British Academy and Leverhulme Michael Dockrill Senior Research Fellowship in British Foreign Policy in 2022.
Evie Aspinall is the Director of the British Foreign Policy Group. Her primary research interests are domestic consent for foreign policy, the UK’s role in the world and challenges posed by the UK’s strategic rivals. Evie holds a BA from the University of Cambridge and an MSc from King’s College London. She has previously worked at UN Women UK and the Future Leaders Network and was formerly the UK Head Delegate to the Youth7, the G7’s official youth engagement group. She also served as President of Cambridge University Students’ Union. She is a regular commentator in the media on issues pertinent to UK foreign policy.

Please note that registration is necessary for the event. Only logged-in members of the BGA will be able to see the Zoom registration link (starting https://) below. Once you have logged in to your BGA account, please navigate back to this page via the “Events” tab on the menu bar and register below. If you are still unable to see the Zoom registration link after logging in, please check your membership is up-to-date or contact us.

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Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe – Katja Hoyer in conversation with Julia Boyd
2026-05-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Goethe-Institut London, 50 Princes Gate, London, SW7 2PH
When: 12 May 2026 from 7pm to 8pm
Where: Goethe-Institut London Library, London
Language: English

The Goethe-Institut, in collaboration with the British-German Association, is delighted to invite you to an evening with historian and author Katja Hoyer, who will be in conversation with Julia Boyd about Katja’s new book, Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe.
In this timely discussion, Katja and Julia will explore the promise and tragedy of Germany between the two World Wars. Katja’s book offers a fresh perspective on this tumultuous period by examining it through the eyes of the people of Weimar.
Weimar looms large in German history: a crucible of democracy and dictatorship. Home to Goethe and Schiller, Liszt and Nietzsche, the town gave its name to the ambitious republic born after the First World War. Yet it was also a place where Bauhaus architects reimagined modern life while, not far away, Buchenwald was carved out of a beech forest.
Drawing on rich new archival research, Katja Hoyer takes us from 1919 to 1939, following the men and women who lived through the republic and Hitler’s regime. Through their choices and compromises, hopes and failures, Weimar leads us into the heart of a town that dreamt of a better world and woke to tyranny.
Katja Hoyer is a German-British historian. She is a Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College London and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Her last book Beyond the Wall: East Germany 1949-1990 was a Sunday Times and Spiegel bestseller and long-listed for the Baillie Gifford Prize. Katja is a columnist for Berliner Zeitung and a regular contributor to British and American news outlets such as the BBC, Bloomberg, The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian. Her new book Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe will be published in May 2026.
Julia Boyd worked at the Victoria & Albert Museum before marriage to a diplomat took her on various foreign postings. After ten years in Cambridge, where her late husband was Master of Churchill College, they returned to live in London. She is a former trustee of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, and a former governor of the ESU. She is currently a trustee of Wigmore Hall and has just finished writing a history of the Hall for its 125th anniversary. She is also the author of Travelers in the Third Reich: The Rise of Fascism through the Eyes of Everyday People.
Good news: While in‑person tickets for this event are now sold out, registration for the free livestream via Zoom is still available. You can register here.

White Asparagus Supper
2026-05-15 19:00 - 22:00 | National Liberal Club
On Friday 15 May 2026 from 7pm the German Circle at the National Liberal Club is inviting BGA members to join them for their annual white asparagus supper. English will be spoken throughout the event.
Commence the evening with a glass of German sparkling wine before a short piano recital, followed by a traditional menu:
– Cream of white asparagus soup
– Veal Schnitzel, white asparagus, buttered new potatoes, hollandaise sauce
– Apple Strudel with vanilla ice cream
– Pear Schnapps
– Half a bottle of German Wine per person
Tickets Price £88
7.00pm Welcome drink in the Smoking Room
7.30pm Dinner in the David Lloyd George Room
Book your space here or alternatively call 0207 930 9871. Please put ‘BGA member’ in the comments box when booking, or state this if booking by phone, so BGA members can be seated together where possible.

The Merz Government One Year On
2026-06-10 18:00 - 19:30 | Houses of Parliament, London, SW1A 0AA
The British-German Association, in partnership with the International Association for the Study of German Politics (IASGP), is pleased to host an in-person event at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 10 June from 6.00pm, examining the Merz government one year on.

This event will bring together expert speakers Dr Ed Turner, Reader at Aston University and Chair of the IASGP, and Dagmar Seeland, UK and Ireland Correspondent for STERN magazine, to assess the government’s first year in office, exploring key developments in domestic policy, economic strategy, and Germany’s role on the European and international stage. The discussion will also consider the implications for the UK–Germany relationship. The event will be moderated by Julie Smith, Baroness Smith of Newnham, Professor of European Politics in the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at Cambridge University.

Guests will have the opportunity to engage in discussion and networking following the panel.

This event is currently fully booked. Please email Tamara at office@britishgermanassociation.org if you would like a space on the waiting list.

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