A Delightful Afternoon at the German Typewriter Museum in Bayreuth

On Sunday, 31 May, the Deutsch-Englische Gesellschaft Bayreuth celebrated Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Day in truly British fashion with a wonderful Sherlock Holmes Teatime at the German Typewriter Museum in Bayreuth. The event proved to be a tremendous success, attracting 48 participants and matching the museum’s maximum capacity perfectly.

Surrounded by hundreds of historic typewriters, guests enjoyed a unique combination of literature, history, British culture, and, of course, excellent food. To accommodate the large number of participants, the afternoon was organised in two groups of 24 people each. While one group explored the fascinating world of typewriters during a guided tour of the museum, the other settled down for a traditional British teatime. Afterwards, the groups swapped, ensuring that everyone could enjoy both experiences.

The guided tours were expertly led by museum director Alexandra Blum, who conducted them in both English and German. Her enthusiasm and extensive knowledge brought the museum’s remarkable collection to life and offered fascinating insights into the history of writing and communication. The museum itself proved to be the perfect setting for an event celebrating one of Britain’s greatest literary figures.

Meanwhile, guests were treated to a generous spread of traditional teatime favourites. Freshly baked scones served with jam, four varieties of sandwiches – egg mayonnaise and cress, tuna, cucumber, and cheese and pickles – as well as an impressive selection of homemade cakes ensured that nobody left hungry. The atmosphere was lively and convivial, with plenty of opportunities for conversation and cultural exchange.

Following the teatime, Benjamin Kirby – Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Bayreuth – introduced guests to the life and work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Participants learned about the Scottish author’s career as an unsuccessful eye doctor, the inspiration he drew from his university professor Dr Joseph Bell, and how Sherlock Holmes became one of the most recognisable literary characters of all time. Benjamin then brought Holmes to life with a reading from one of the classic stories, transporting listeners straight to Victorian London.

Of course, no Sherlock Holmes event would be complete without a mystery to solve. Guests were invited to test their powers of deduction through a series of “Black Stories” – puzzling cases that required careful questioning, logical thinking, and plenty of imagination. The challenge quickly became one of the highlights of the afternoon, with participants enthusiastically competing to uncover the often surprising solutions.

The feedback from guests was overwhelmingly positive. Many commented on the unique combination of literature, British traditions, and the extraordinary surroundings of the museum. The blend of tea, stories, history, and detective work created an atmosphere that was both entertaining and engaging.

The Deutsch-Englische Gesellschaft Bayreuth would like to specifically thank Alexandra Blum and the German Typewriter Museum for their warm hospitality and excellent cooperation, as well as Benjamin Kirby for his entertaining contribution to the programme.

Judging by the enthusiasm of our guests, Sherlock Holmes would certainly have approved of the afternoon – although he might have solved the Black Stories a little faster than the rest of us. And who knows? Following the success of this event, we may well find ourselves returning to the German Typewriter Museum before too long.