"Sinterklaas" and Father Christmas

The Seasonal Celebration at Münster University was held under a Dutch flag this year. The International Office and the Centre for Dutch Studies organized the traditional Christmas and End-of-Year Celebration jointly, with invitations being extended to both international and German academics, families and friends. Prof. Cornelia Denz, Pro-Rector for International Affairs and Junior Academics, welcomed the guests in Alexander von Humboldt House on December 10. "Along with the International Summer Party, the Seasonal Celebration has been a part of our culture of welcome for many years now, and is a Münster University tradition," she emphasized, speaking before the celebration itself. "With it we want to underline the special importance which international academics and international cooperation have for the research and teaching profile of our University." While the 80 grown-up guests learned something interesting about "Erasmus" mobility and the Dutch "Sinterklaas" (Santa Claus) and sang German and Dutch Christmas carols together, the 20 children also had their fun, which included an added dimension of internationality: a Congolese Father Christmas (Münster University alumnus Richard Nawezi) handed out presents to them. Support for the Seasonal Celebration was provided by the Humboldt Club Münsterland the InnerWheel Club Münster. Welcome Offer The annual Seasonal Celebration is one component of Münster University's Welcome Offer.