Nearly five decades later, the Center’s goals remain the same. Although it has grown from a mere handful of people decades ago to become a thriving organization of more than 300 members today, the Dallas Goethe Center’s primary purpose remains to build appreciation and mutual understanding between people of different cultures and backgrounds.

Such goals are not only noble, they are vitally important to the future of our city and the North Dallas region as a whole. German has been one of the most important languages in the world for centuries, and perhaps it is more important today than at any other time since the 18th and 19th centuries when German art, music, and culture flourished throughout Europe.

Not only is German still the most translated written language in the world, surpassing English, Spanish, Chinese, and other languages that actually have more speakers, it’s also the third-most-studied tongue worldwide. German is the second-most-spoken language in the European Union after English, and it plays a particularly vital role in promoting communication and commerce between Western and Eastern Europe.

More importantly, despite its disastrous periods in the 20th century, Germany is once again one of the most powerful economies in the world. American businesses, including those in North Texas, have much to learn from the German miracle, not only today but in the future as well.

As a result, the people of Dallas and the Dallas business community in particular simply cannot afford to ignore the importance of the German language and culture. Without a clear understanding of what one of the world’s most important cultures can contribute to the North Texas area, Dallas is less likely to become a truly international city on a par with New York, Chicago, or San Francisco.

It’s important to remember, however, that mutual understanding works both ways. As members of the Dallas Goethe Center, we not only play a vital role in promoting the contributions of German-speaking cultures; we must also make certain to reflect the values of the city and country that we now all share.

Freedom. Equality. Opportunity. Friendliness and the acceptance of diverse ethnic backgrounds and lifestyles are all part of what it means to live in Dallas. As a uniquely American city, Dallas isn’t just one of the most powerful metropolitan areas in the world, it’s an increasingly important cultural center in and of itself. p>German speakers and lovers of German culture now live in every part of the world, from Austria to Romania, from the Czech Republic to Namibia, from Zurich to the great state of Texas. Because of the Dallas Goethe Center, however, only in Dallas do we have the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds—a Texassized combination of German culture and Dallas hospitality.