What began as a simple idea in 2008 has become nearly two decades of bringing people together through food, culture and friendship.

For Sigrun Vitai, organising German Friendship events has been a way to share her German heritage while encouraging connections between people from different backgrounds.

The inspiration first came through prayer. Sigrun recalls feeling that Heavenly Parent was guiding her to organise an event where she could share not only German traditions but also the heart behind them.

“In my prayer, Heavenly Parent asked me to give all my heart and love unconditionally for this event,” she shared.

She felt guided in everything from the food she would prepare to the importance of passing on what she describes as the culture of heart of Germany.

Bringing people together is something that has long been part of Sigrun’s family history. Her grandfather was a Pentecostal preacher who welcomed people into his home for meetings, even during the Second World War. Her uncle also served as an ambassador for Germany, building international connections through his work.

In many ways, Sigrun has continued this tradition of reaching out to others, finding her own way to build friendships within her local community.

Where It All Began

In 2008, Sigrun joined a neighbourhood organisation in her area. When she met the manager, he asked what she could contribute to the group.

She shared her idea for a German Friendship event, and he offered to provide funding if she held it at the local community centre.

With the support of her children and several community volunteers, Sigrun got to work preparing the first gathering. Together, they cooked a feast and welcomed around 70 people, including those with German ancestry or personal connections to Germany.

During the event, Sigrun spoke about her idea and invited everyone to share their experiences. What had started as a conversation with the neighbourhood manager became an opportunity for people to meet, exchange stories and learn more about one another.

The success of that first gathering encouraged her to continue.

Over the following years, Sigrun received funding from charities on several occasions to help organise further events. Eventually, she began raising the necessary funds herself, determined to keep the initiative going.

Organising these gatherings has required time, preparation and personal investment. Yet, nearly 18 years later, Sigrun continues to create opportunities for people to experience German culture and build friendships across communities.

Her efforts are a reminder that contributing to our local communities can begin with something we already know and love. For Sigrun, it was sharing her heritage, preparing traditional food and welcoming others to experience a little of Germany.

Continuing the Tradition

This November, Sigrun will once again bring people together for a German Christmas Afternoon, continuing the tradition she began nearly 18 years ago.

Beyond sharing food and celebrating German traditions, these gatherings offer an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to meet, exchange experiences and develop friendships.

What started with one gathering of 70 people in 2008 has become a long-standing personal commitment to sharing culture and encouraging friendship. Through her continued efforts, Sigrun shows how even a simple initiative can create opportunities for connection within the communities we live in.

For anyone interested in attending or supporting her upcoming event, Sigrun welcomes you to get in touch.