The Victoria Edelweiss Club is a wonderful place to celebrate friendship, heritage, and community. Bringing people together through music, culture, delicious food, and traditional events, the club has created countless cherished memories over the years. Whether you're reconnecting with old friends or making new ones, every gathering is a reminder of the strong bonds and vibrant traditions that continue to thrive. Here's to celebrating the spirit of the Victoria Edelweiss Club and the people who make it such a special part of our community!
You do not need to be German or speak German to join us. Everyone who enjoys German-Canadian culture, food, music, dance, friendship, and community is welcome.
About Our Club
History
The German Canadian Cultural Society (aka Victoria Edelweiss Club) was founded in 1970 to preserve the cultural practices of the German speaking immigrants of the Victoria area, and to help integrate them to the Canadian way of life. It was hoped that Canadians would come as guests to social events and learn about German culture too - and they did!
The founding members wanted their own hall from the very outset, and found a suitable property and building at 108 Niagara Street. The building was a former rollerskating rink, and volunteer labour soon transformed it into a dance hall and kitchen.
With the clubhouse in place, all kinds of activities started: monthly dances took place; a Ladies Auxiliary cooked, baked, sponsored fashion shows, and made crafts for the bazaar; the Carnival Group planned lavish festivities; the Folk Dancing Group organized Oktoberfests; and the Harmony Choir, which had operated independently for ten years, joined the club.
Ten years later, in 1980, the club building was enlarged by means of a second storey which contains a members' bar, a library, a games room, and a meeting room on the third level and the exterior was given a Bavarian-style facade. Again, the work was done by volunteers whenever possible.
While the food kiosk is gone the he Victoria Edelweiss Club hopes to continue to participate in community gatherings around the city in hopes to celebrate and share the joys of German-Canadian Culture.
Founded in 1970, Edelweiss Club has been dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging and unity among community members for over a decade.
Our mission
We strive to build a strong sense of community by providing opportunities for social connection and personal interaction.
Membership benefits
As a member of Edelweiss Club, be a part of our community and enjoy the benefits of includes access to our workshops, discounts and events. Make a positive impact in your community.
Join Our Club
Become a part of our community and enjoy the benefits of membership. Membership includes access to our workshops, events, and online resources.
Victoria Edelweiss Club
Society - Victoria Edelweiss Club
The Victoria Edelweiss Club is a non-profit organization, founded to maintain and promote German-Canadian culture in Victoria.
The purpose of the Society:
Foster and preserve the German language, heritage and traditions;
Promote relations amongst and between Germans and Canadians by encouraging cultural and social activities;
operate and maintain the clubhouse facilities on behalf of the members;
Receive donations and bequests, and to hold and administer property of every kind and description whether real or personal for the benefit of the members and the society;
Encourage individual and group initiatives, within the Society, that educate, entertain and give artistic expression.
The Edelweiss Dancers
The Victoria Edelweiss Dancers are a long-standing, open and fun troupe performing traditional German and Austrian folk dances in Victoria, BC for over 50 years. Our repertoire includes energetic foot-slapping men’s dances, twirling women’s parts, the ancient “bench dance,” and the classic Maypole Dance. We welcome new members to our free open-house lessons and are available to book performances.
The Harmony Choir
The Victoria Harmony Choir has weekly rehearsals on Mondays @ 1:30 pm. If you like to sing in German and also enjoy some Kaffee & Kuchen afterwards, please join us in the club hall on Monday afternoons. We typically rehearse for two concerts per year, a Spring concert and a Christmas concert, although we sometimes perform at different venues or are joined by affiliated German choirs in providing additional concerts. We are fortunate to have such an excellent and entertaining conductor as Grant Harville & to have Iryna Graifer returning as our accompanist
The Harmony Choir had its start, in 1961. German Lieder, folk songs & classical tunes have been its focus but the choir may just as easily surprise the audience with a jazz piece.
So, whether you are a soprano, alto, tenor or bass, and you wish to learn and perform German and some English language songs, please check us out. No audition required! For information Tel: 250-721-0582.
Deutscher Literaturkreis
The "German Literature Circle Victoria" has been in existence since 1981 and was founded by Mr. Gustav Schuster and his wife Eva as a "Circle of Friends of German Literature" to preserve and promote German culture. Meetings took place regularly once a month in various private homes.
From September 2002 until mid-2016, the literature circle was a subgroup of the Victoria Edelweiss Club. Since September 2019, approximately 20 loyal and dedicated literature circle members have reclaimed their old place in the club's house, specifically in the beautiful and cozy "Hubertusklause" (Upper Bar) every third Tuesday of the month, in the afternoon at 1:30 p.m. The duration is 1 1/2 - 2 hours with a joyful coffee social afterward. Participants always bring their own cup, and occasionally, some pastries. There is a summer break during the months of July and August.
All literature circle participants are expected to become members of the Victoria Edelweiss Club if they are not already. However, we welcome new interested individuals with joy as our honored guests, and only on their third attendance, membership application forms are handed out.
The program is designed through the collaboration of all circle members. Suggestions are always welcome and often lead to taking over and leading a literature circle afternoon. We do not limit ourselves to German literature alone; we also explore topics and personalities from the world of music, film, painting, religion, history, current events, etc. Occasionally, we manage to engage a guest speaker (always honorary), introducing us to new and interesting insights. Everything is always conducted in German.
Our main goal and purpose are a cheerful, harmonious gathering, characterized by enthusiasm and love for the diversity and beauty of poetry and prose in the German language. Everyone interested is warmly welcome.
An annual fee of $3.00 per member is requested to cover expenses for coffee ingredients, photocopies, postage, etc.