For many visitors, one of the first cultural surprises in Germany arrives not at a famous castle or … (More)
Featured Stories
German Work Culture: What Makes It So Different?
German work culture is often described as efficient, structured, and highly professional. But what does that actually mean in practice? If you’ve ever worked with German colleagues – or are planning to work in Germany – you may notice differences right away. Meetings are precise, communication is direct, and expectations are clearly defined. At the […]
German Sense of Humor
German humor style is often a hasty rude satire. Popular German cabarets of pre-war period are worldwide famous for their nipping jokes. The traditions of German political satire are rather old and conservative, especially in Eastern Germany. In most large cities there were cabarets financed by the government. Texts went through the obligatory censor, the […]
Women In German Society
For centuries, a woman’s role in German society was summed up and circumscribed by the three “K” words: Kinder (children), Kirche (church), and Küche (kitchen). Sometimes the fourth “K” is mentioned: Kleider (clothes). Throughout the 20th century, however, women have gradually won victories in their quest for equal rights. In 1919 they received the right […]
June 30 in German History
June 30, 1807 Birth of Friedrich Theodor von Vischer in Ludwigsburg, Germany. A literary critic, he set the theoretical basis for the period of realism in literature. June 30, 1853 Birth of archaeologist Adolf Furtwängler in Freiburg, Germany. His catalogs of ancient Greek art established an historic order. He was Professor of Archaeology at the […]
Wine Tourism in Germany: How to Taste Like a Local
If you’ve ever dreamed of strolling through hillside vineyards, sipping crisp Riesling at the source, and talking wine with passionate producers – Germany’s wine regions are waiting. But German wine tourism is a bit different from other countries. While France and Italy might offer grand châteaux or sprawling estates, Germany gives you cozy tasting rooms, […]
Wooden Toys from the Ore Mountains
Ore Mountain folk art (Erzgebirgische Volkskunst) is a well-known form of highly artistic wood carving from East Germany. Typical creations include Christmas decorations and products such as wooden miners’ figures (Bergmannsfigur), Christmas angels (Weihnachtsengel), Reifendrehen figures of animals made by wood turning, smoking figures (Räuchermann), Christmas mountains (Weihnachtsberge) and Christmas pyramids (Flügelpyramiden), as well as […]
May 22 in German History
May 22, 337 Death of Constantine the Great, the emperor of the Roman Empire. He had started his political career as one of the four Roman Emperors at the time of the division of power. He ruled the Western Empire from the city of Trier (now in Germany). He later waged battle against the other […]
February 22 in German History
February 22, 1455 Birth of Johannes Reuchlin in Pforzheim, Germany. Reuchlin was a scholar of ancient Greek and Latin who also developed a keen interest in Hebrew language and literature. In 1509 the Cologne Dominican, Johannes Pfefferkorn, persuaded the emperor to order the destruction of Hebrew books because they were a danger to Christianity. Reuchlin’s […]
Dirndl Decoded: The Meaning Behind Germany’s Most Iconic Dress
Few garments carry as much cultural weight – and visual charm – as the Dirndl. What started as a working woman’s outfit in Alpine regions has become a global symbol of Germany’s cultural heritage. Seen everywhere from beer halls in Munich to high fashion runways, the Dirndl isn’t just a costume – it’s a story […]
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February 4 in German History
February 4, 856 The feast day of Hrabanus Maurus is celebrated on February 4 in Fulda, Mainz and Limburg. He entered the monastery at Fulda (Germany) at age 10. In 801 he began study with Alcuin at … [Read More...]
April 25 in German History
April 25, 1849 Birth of Felix Klein (1849-1925) in Düsseldorf, Germany. Klein was a German mathematician, known for his work in group theory, complex analysis, non-Euclidean geometry, and on … [Read More...]
June 20 in German History
June 20, 981 Death of St. Adalbert von Magdeburg. St. Adalbert worked at the court of the Archbishop of Cologne. In 959 he left the service and became a monk at the monastery of St. Maximin in … [Read More...]
German Food
What comes to mind when you think about German cuisine? Right, Sauerkraut and Bratwurst, Black Forest Cherry cake and beer, lots and lots of German beer. However that would be a huge generalization … [Read More...]
September 14 in German History
September 14, 1313 Death of St. Notburga von Rattenberg (ca. 1265 – 1313) (Rattenberg is near Innsbruck, Austria) St. Notburga is the patroness of servants and peasants. During her lifetime she is … [Read More...]
George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel (born Georg Friedrich Händel on February 23, 1685 – died on April 14, 1759) was a German, later British, baroque composer who spent the bulk of his career in London, becoming … [Read More...]
June 11 in German History
June 11, 1842 Birth of Carl von Linde in Berndorf, Germany. He was a German engineer who developed refrigeration and gas separation technologies. Linde's first refrigeration system used … [Read More...]
Elementary and Primary Education in Germany
The Basic Law of 1949 grants every German citizen the right to self-fulfillment. In theory, citizens are able to choose the type of education they want and are given access to their preferred … [Read More...]
Lichtenstein – a Fairy-Tale Fortress
Lichtenstein Castle (Schloss Lichtenstein) is a Gothic Revival castle built in the 1840s. It is situated on a cliff located near Honau on the Swabian Alb, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. A small fortress … [Read More...]
Albrecht Dürer – Germany’s Master of Art
When we think of the German Renaissance, one name shines brighter than the rest - Albrecht Dürer. Revered as one of the greatest artists of his time, Dürer seamlessly blended Northern European detail … [Read More...]