• Arrived in NC and had our first performance yesterday. Practice with all the dance groups this morning and then a huge gala event tonight. #
• Finished our rehearsal with all the other teams this morning. Ice cream social at three, then the big gala event this evening. #
• Public schedule information: http://bit.ly/hyEPO

  Schedule document: http://tr.im/folkmoot_09_schedule #

HR 850, the resolution from the Georgia (USA) state government, addressing the issue of home education in Germany, was delivered to the following government officials:

German Federal Education Minister: Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan

Baden-Württemberg state representative:  Mr. Helmut Rau, Minister of Education

Baden-Württemberg state representative:  Karl Traub, Education Committee

The Netherlands:  A copy of the resolution was also delivered to the Dutch parliament at The Hague, on June 6, 2009.

To read the text of this resolution:  http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/fulltext/hr850.htm

The Highländlers met with CDU Representative Sascha Steuer at the capitol of the state of Berlin, on June 11, 2009. He described major education reforms which are currently under discussion and which should be decided on by the end of this year.

We spoke of the benefits that home education had brought to the members of our performing group and of the numerous German people that we had met who were interested in the freedom to choose this method of educating their children, but could not because it is illegal.

Many parents are frustrated with the education system and would like a German solution to the problem. We asked if the education commission would consider home education in their discussions.

Herr Steuer stated 2 objections to this idea: (1) if the Turkish immigrants were given this freedom, many of them would choose not to educate their children, who would then become a burden to society – and (2) he did not think that parents would be capable of teaching their own children. He was, however, open to the idea of allowing this discussion to come to the table if people would send him their thoughts about how to make this choice feasible.

Contact:  Sascha Steuer

saschasteuer@aol.com          www.sascha-steuer.de

Abgeordnetenhaus von Berlin

Preuβischer Landtag

10111 Berlin

Tel. (d): 030/ 23 25 28 25

e 

Home educators came in from several European countries for a 3 day colloquium. The Highländlers were conference speakers, workshop leaders, and performers at this event.

Folkdance workshop for children

Recorder and Bodhran Music

The Holzhacker Dance

Der Schwinger Tanz

Highland Village Scene

The New Highland Dance

A delightful, surprise invitation has been extended to The Highländlers to participate in FOLKMOOT USA, a major international festival in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. Musicians and dancers will be coming in from around the globe, representing 10 different countries.

You may find information, schedule, and a video clip about this magnificent 2-week festival on the FOOKMOOT USA website:     http://www.folkmootusa.org/

Tour dates:  July 14 – 27, 2009

Perhaps we will see you there!