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Tamilalayam (Tamil School) Neuss celebrated their 22nd anniversary on the 15th October 2011, at Quirinus Grammar School in Neuss, Germany.
The event, celebrating the existence of the Tamil school since 1989, included dancing, music, drama and speeches from students.
The anniversary started with the traditional lighting of a flame by R. Nagalingam, the coordinator of the “Tamilische Bildungsvereinigung e.V.”, a Tamil education association, including 134 Tamil Schools in Germany. The first Tamil school in Germany was founded by R. Nagalingam and the coordinator of Tamilalayam Neuss K. Annalingam.
The ceremony continued with a minute of silence, in honour of the all the Eelam Tamils, who have lost their lives during the struggle.
The audience was welcomed by Thileeb Pathmanathan, one of this year’s graduates. Once graduated, the alumni have the possibility to become teachers themselves and teach the language to the younger generation.
The event commenced with the Tamil School anthem praising the Tamil language.
Dance performances including traditional Kummi, performances about animals, the importance of unity and the four seasons gave students, especially the younger ones, the possibility to showcase their talents.
Apart from promoting the learning of the Tamil language, annual sports and arts competition are held across Germany. Winners of the language competition held in 2010 were also honoured on the day.
Jana Pavlik, honoured with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and former member of the Landtag, expressed in her speech the importance of the learning of ones mother tongue. She was amazed at the number of Tamil letters and praised the children and the encouraging ethos of the Tamil School.
Tamilalayam supports the preservation of the Tamil language and conveys Tamil culture and heritage to the second and third generation Eelam Tamil Diaspora living in Europe.
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