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American Family Finds German Roots at Domäne Dahlem’s Kartoffelfest
By Drooid · · How we work
The Festival Visit
The family spent a crisp September afternoon at Domäne Dahlem, a farm that hosts a local Kartoffelfest (potato festival). Their youngest son, Hugo, dug his fingers into the dry soil, uncovered a small yellow tuber and lifted it with a smile. Their wife, Lily, likened the experience to apple picking, but with potatoes. The event provided a hands-on way for the children to engage with a German agricultural tradition that the parents, both American foreign-correspondents, had not previously encountered.
Cultural Context for Expatriate Families
For journalists stationed abroad, everyday cultural practices can become touchstones for family integration. The narrative highlights the difficulty of raising a child who holds an American passport yet is born and raised in Germany. Seeking a “German version” of familiar American outings, the parents turned to a regional harvest celebration to help their son develop ties to his birthplace.
Family Background
The parents are American journalists living in Berlin. Their son Hugo was born in the city’s spring of the previous year. He shares a crib and stroller with his five-year-old sister, Nora, and listens to the same music as his older brother, a college student—artists such as Wilco and Taylor Swift. The father also watches Los Angeles Dodgers games, noting the later start times in Germany.
Reflections on Integration
By participating in the Kartoffelfest, the family creates a shared memory that bridges their American roots and German surroundings, illustrating how simple local events can support expatriate families in building a sense of belonging.