A holiday dinner with a 65 kg Weckmann
Courtesy of the sponsor association Campus Cleve
Kleve – What weighs 65 kilos, has broad shoulders, a big belly, a scraggly white beard and a giant wristwatch? Rhine-Waal University’s giant Weckmann, of course! Each year, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and the sponsor association Campus Cleve organise a ‘Weckmann-Essen’ for students, a evening of holiday cheer and tradition on campus. Despite being a few scant hours old, 2015’s Weckmann was a true showstopper, weighing in at 65 kgs and standing an impressive 3.5 m (11.4 ft) tall. The edible giant was made by a veteran team of bakers led by Renate and Joachim Reffeling, who operate their own bakery (Reffeling) in the neighbouring town of Goch.
Students from 107 different nations study at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, and it’s safe to say that friends and family scattered across 107 different nations received some very unusual selfies with bread-shaped men on this particular evening. Every year, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and the sponsor organisation Campus Cleve organise an on-campus ‘Weckmann-Essen’ to provide students with an intercultural glimpse into German holiday tradition. The centrepiece is the giant Weckmann, which never fails to draw the attention of both students and residents of Kleve. This year’s event began with short welcome addresses (in eloquent English, of course!) from Peter Wack, head of the sponsor association, and Dr Heide Naderer, President of Rhine-Waal University of Applied sciences. Together they welcomed well over 500 cheerful and hungry students eager to break off a piece of the star of the show.
Peter Wack spoke in his address with enthusiasm about how this year’s event – the third in as many years – has become an established and anticipated tradition at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, as witnessed by the largest turnout of visitors ever. He also briefly discussed the complex planning and the organisation of the event, made possible by the tireless help and support of the sponsor association Campus Cleve, which supplied not only the massive on-campus Christmas tree and the Weckmann in all his baked glory, but also his thousand little Weckmann brothers and the hundreds of cups of mulled wine and cocoa given out that evening.
“The visitor response we’re seeing tonight is simply stunning”, replied a visibly amazed Wack when asked about the large turnout. This year also saw an open invitation to not only the teaching staff, but also students from our sister campus in Kamp-Lintfort, who took advantage of a specially arranged shuttle service between both campus locations.
“Next year I’d like to see Mrs Claus”, joked President Naderer in reference to the Weckmann’s Santa-like appearance. In her welcome address she also noted her delight at seeing so many members – friends, really – of the highly dedicated sponsor association in attendance, and went on to thank them on behalf of students and staff of the University.
The Weckmann event lasted for a good three hours this year. If you missed it, don’t worry: the event ended with a clear and resounding promise from the sponsor organisation that the tradition will continue into 2016 and beyond.