May GAI Cafe - The Great Mass Escape

Join us every* third Sunday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon at the Germanic-American Institute for the GAI Café. Savor homemade and specialty German cakes alongside strong, aromatic German coffee, all available for purchase. At 10 a.m., enjoy a free presentation by a special guest, exploring a new theme each month—perfect for anyone curious about German culture or looking to connect with our vibrant community. Registration for the presentation is encouraged but not required. Whether you're here for the pastries, the conversation, or the cultural insights, we can't wait to see you at GAI Café!

*Please note that we will not host the GAI Café in June and July. Instead, the Damenklub will have their usual Kaffee und Kuchen sales on Saturdays (starting after Deutsche Tage).

May Presentation: The Great Mass Escape

We are thrilled to welcome Lynn Bueltel as our guest speaker on The Great Mass Escape. A native of West Central Iowa, Lynn has deep personal ties to the village of Boeseckendorf, as his ancestors hailed from there. Two of the families involved in the daring escape were his direct cousins. Over the years, Lynn has made several trips to Boeseckendorf, keeping the story of this remarkable event alive and sharing the legacy of those who risked everything for freedom.

The Great Mass Escape
On October 2, 1961, the small village of Boeseckendorf in East Germany became the site of the largest mass escape to West Germany. 53 courageous villagers from 12 families made the bold decision to cross the border and seek freedom. Of the 300 residents, these families embarked on an extraordinary journey, leaving a lasting impact on the history of the Cold War.

Presentation is 90 min and includes a 40 minute video