ACUPARI
Asociación Cultural Peruana Alemana Region Inca
History
editACUPARI in Cusco-Peru, directed by Maria Jürgens de Hermoza, was founded October 10, 1990, as a non-profit cultural association whose objective is to promote and strengthen an intercultural dialogue between the plethora cultures that gather together in the city of Cusco. Cusco is the main tourist center of Peru that greets travelers from all around the globe. ACUPARI offers prospective clients language courses in German, Spanish, and Quechua. As a compliment to their language course, students can participate in Tandem® Conversation practice in which the foreigner is paired with a native Peruvian Spanish speaker so that each can practice the others language -- English, German, or French (depending on the foreigner’s native language). Via the Tandem® both partners are immersed in the language and culture of the other. As part of ACUPARI’s cross-cultural interchange, students participate in a variety of social and cultural activities and have the opportunity to contribute their time and efforts to several social and volunteer projects. ACUPARI also organizes cultural events with Peruvian and German artists and authors, as well as those from other cultures, in collaboration with other cultural institutions in the area.
Language Programs
editACUPARI offers courses in:
- German as a foreign language in close cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Lima
- Spanish courses for beginners to advanced
- Quechua Courses
- Tandem® Conversation Program
- German as a foreign language in close cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Lima
ACUPARI’s uses an inter-cultural and interactive teaching methodology to immerse students in the language and culture they are studying. All of ACUPARI’s teachers are qualified and certified with solid pedagogical instruction. Our Spanish teachers are trained and certified by AADE, the Asociacion Argentina de Docentes de Espanol. The Goethe-Institut Lima is who orients, professionally trains, supervises, and qualifies all German teaching staff.
Social Projects
editACUPARI is involved in social projects and community efforts, throughout Cusco and its outlying areas. It provides support and volunteers to local hospitals, rehabilitation centers, orphanages, schools, and street projects. ACUPARI hosts several literacy projects that support local authors.
“Books for 70 Schools”
edit- Since 2006, ACUPARI has been supporting and promoting a project that contributes to the distribution of free children’s books to small rural schools in Andean communities in the Cusco region. These schools in particular fall quite short on written materials, especially illustrated. The project also includes workshops for the children to motivate their written, narrative, drawing and painting creative. Writing and drawing materials are also donated.
“First Regional Children’s Book Writing Contest”
edit- In 2007, ACUPARI sponsored and hosted its first Regional Children’s Book Writing Contest”. The winner was local Cusqueñan artist, Braddy Romero, with his bilingual – Spanish and Quechua -- story “Catalina y la Unkuña Mágica.” With help from financial donations, it was possible to print 2000 high quality copies that were then distributed for free to children and teachers in rural schools. This project was born due to the initiative of German illustrator Florian Mast.
Volunteering
editACUPARI students can participate in one of a range of volunteer opportunities benefiting one of several Peruvian institutions such as: children’s clinics; rehabilitation centers for children of special needs and disabled youth; orphanages and children’s homes; street projects; schools; hospitals, women’s homes, and travel agencies.
Library
editACUPARI has a library of books, magazines, and dictionaries in both German and Spanish. Additionally, there are materials with information about Peru and Germany. The library is not only for ACUPARI students but is also open to the public who can borrow books.