Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
10/01/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2025 12:06
New Conference Explores the Futures of Pennsylvania German Folklife, Ethnic Identity and Language
New Conference Explores the Futures of Pennsylvania German Folklife, Ethnic Identity and Language
October 01, 2025
KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University will host a new conference Nov. 14-15, exploring the future of Pennsylvania German folklife, ethnic identity and language through academic and community presentations. This interdisciplinary conference will examine the present state of scholarship about the Pennsylvania Germans (Pennsylvania Dutch), imagine future trajectories of the culture and envision directions for future scholarship. Welcoming everyone from all backgrounds to attend the event, the Heritage Center will facilitate an open and inclusive discussion with scholars and the community.
A full conference schedule is available at the Heritage Center website.
The conference will open 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, 102 Academic Forum, with a keynote presentation by Heritage Center director Patrick J. Donmoyer, exploring future trajectories of Pennsylvania German Studies and living traditions in the culture region. Light refreshments will be served, followed by a community discussion at 7 p.m. moderated by Donmoyer and Dr. William W. Donner, Freyberger Professor of Pennsylvania German Studies.
A series of presentations will commence at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, with panels of speakers exploring Pennsylvania German identities, Material Expression, Future Voices, Pennsylvania Dutch Language and Pennsylvania German Futures. Speakers will include celebrated voices in the field of Pennsylvania German Studies as well as students studying the culture at Kutztown University, including: Alexander Ames, Simon Bronner, Joshua Brown, Beau deForest, Patrick Donmoyer, William Donner, Vance Dotterer, Sarah Edris, Rose Fisher, Melissa Geary, Mark Louden, Doug Madenford, Richard Miller, Lisa Minardi, Steven Nolt, Nathan Rein, Jennifer Schlegel, Brad Smith, Elaine Vardjan, James Weaver, and William Woys Weaver.
Registration is required to attend and is free to the public. Optional Saturday lunch registration is $30 and features traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare, including sausage, sauerkraut, potato filling, salad with hot bacon dressing and shoofly pie. Registration information is available at the Heritage Center website and must be received by Saturday, Nov. 1.
For more information, follow PGCHC on Facebook and Instagram or call 610-683-1589.
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