Treffen Tuesday

For the June 2024 Tuesday Treffen meeting, you will have a unique opportunity to meet
Adam Schell, a 96-year-old Volga German man born in the village of Seewald. His life
experience has been shaped by the history of all Germans from Russia in the Soviet
Union in the 20th century. Born as a fifth child of nine children to Pius and Anna Schell,
he has lived through the famine of the 1930s, the 1941 deportation of the Volga
Germans, and the consequent persecution and limitation of rights for all Soviet citizens
of German descent. After twenty-five years in western Siberia, he relocated his family to
his Volga German homeland in 1966 and lived in Frank, Russia until his emigration to
Germany at age 71 in the late 1990s. Despite the challenges, he never lost his humor
and positive attitude towards life.

In this presentation, Adam will talk about various topics related to his family’s history –
and their connection to America – and cultural aspects of German-Russian life, such as
typical foods, tradition of nicknames (Beinamen) given to families, and more.
During the meeting, he will be supported by his granddaughter Tanja Schell, who will
assist with translation for Adam and his audience. Dr. Tatjana “Tanja” Schell is a Lifetime
AHSGR member and has presented on various topics related to the history and culture
of the Volga Germans in Russia on numerous occasions, both at the AHSGR Annual
Convention and also to different chapters. She has also contributed to sharing the
history of her family in the following publications by the AHSGR Journal:

“Maria’s Story.” Journal of the AHSGR. Volume 29.4 (2006): 21-25.
“Celebrating Christmas 2006 in Frank, Russia.” Journal of the AHSGR. Volume 30.4
(2007): 16-18.
“Easter in Siberia.” By Katrin Schell, Journal of the AHSGR. Volume 36.4. (2013)

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