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

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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!

The Highländlers are home! The tour was blessed in innumerable ways, which we will be sharing in the days to come.

Thank you EVERYONE for your tremendous support!

Here is a photo of our Swiss bus, which we drove for 5 weeks, in front of the chalet which someone graciously provided for us during our last few days in Switzerland.

• We have our very last performance tomorrow, in Switzerland, then we leave for the States the very next day. #

• Met with another government official today, talked and delivered the House Resolution from the Georgia state government to them. #
• @michaelfarris Thanks for the follow. Parental rights is precisely what we’re about; specifically for the freedom of choice of education. #

• Did another performance today for a bunch of home educators in northern Germany. Tomorrow we drive to our next location. #

• Did a couple performances today in Berlin. We leave Berlin tomorrow. #