A friend of mine moved to Munich for a new job, walked into a small café on her first weekend, … (More)
Featured Stories
Northern German Dishes: Herring, Kale, and Maritime Flavors
When people think of German cuisine, images of bratwurst, schnitzel, and pretzels often come to mind – all staples of southern Germany. But head north, and you’ll discover a culinary world shaped not by alpine traditions, but by coastlines, rivers, and seafaring history. Northern German cuisine is salty, hearty, and shaped by centuries of maritime […]
The German Santa Claus – Weihnachtsmann
If the Christkind represents the quiet, luminous heart of the German Christmas, then the Weihnachtsmann stands at its bustling, cheerful edge. He is the figure most familiar to the outside world – the German counterpart to Santa Claus, the bearded bearer of gifts, the red-clad visitor who fills children’s shoes and stockings with treats. Yet […]
March 13 in German History
March 13, 1741 Birth of Joseph II in Vienna, Austria. The Habsburg, Joseph II was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1765-1790. Until Maria Theresia’s (his mother’s) death in 1780, Joseph ruled attuned to her strong advice. He strengthened the University of Vienna, introduced a universal code of civil law in 1786, ordered the end of […]
Understanding the German Language: From Slang to Sütterlin
The German language is often caricatured as harsh or overcomplicated, yet anyone who has listened closely in a Berlin cafe, a Bavarian village, or a Hamburg harbor knows a different truth. German is a living mosaic: crisp Standarddeutsch on the news, melodic dialects at family tables, playful slang on the street, and the elegant loops […]
Kohlrouladen – German Cabbage Rolls
German stuffed cabbage rolls, or Kohlrouladen, are the quintessential German comfort food. Ingredients: 1 large white cabbage about 1800 g 600 g of ground beef 1 bread roll 1 egg 1 egg yolk 150 g of chopped onion for meat 150 g of chopped onion for gravy 1 beef cube 2 tablespoons of crème fraîche […]
German Christmas tree – Tannenbaum
The first appearance of a Christmas tree – Tannenbaum – was recorded in 1605 in Strasburg, and the record said that “…people set up Christmas trees in their rooms…”. Another record of that time coming from Ammerschweier, said that “… no burgher shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoes’ […]
April 17 in German History
April 17, 1521 Martin Luther makes his first appearance before the Diet in Worms. April 17, 1573 Birth of Maximillian I in Munich, Germany. Maximillian was the Duke of Bavaria and involved in the Thirty Years’ War in support of the Catholic cause. Bavaria had fallen into economic chaos when Maximillian came to power in […]
Dialects vs. Standard German: Why Both Still Matter
To an outsider, the German language may seem straightforward – especially if you’re learning it from a textbook or app. But once you set foot in Germany, you quickly realize that there’s not just one German. Instead, you’ll hear dozens of regional flavors, from the melodic drawl of Bavarian to the crisp consonants of Saxon. […]
Albert Einstein
When we hear the name of Albert Einstein, we mostly just think of two things: a) Genius of physics, b) E=mc2. But there is more to know about Albert Einstein than just that. Einstein was a theoretical physicist who developed the general theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics (alongside quantum […]
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Why Germans Love Rules (And What That Says About Their Culture)
Ask any outsider what comes to mind when they think of Germany, and somewhere between “beer” and “efficiency,” the word “rules” is bound to appear. Germans have a reputation for following them, … [Read More...]
Franzbrötchen – Traditional German Cinnamon Pastry Recipe
Franzbrötchen is Hamburg’s famous cinnamon pastry, known for its buttery, flaky texture and caramelized cinnamon-sugar filling. Resembling a mix between a croissant and a cinnamon roll, this treat is … [Read More...]
Hitler and the Rise of National Socialism
Adolf Hitler was born in the Austrian border town of Braunau am Inn in 1889. When he was seventeen, he was refused admission to the Vienna Art Academy, having been found insufficiently talented. He … [Read More...]
Burg Satzvey – Moated Castle
Satzvey Castle is one of the best-kept moated castles in Rhineland, whose origins go back to the 12th century. Satzvey Castle is well-known today for its diverse events, showing history and tradition … [Read More...]
The Peace of Westphalia
The Peace of Westphalia largely settled German affairs for the next century and a half. It ended religious conflicts between the states and included official recognition of Calvinism. Its signatories … [Read More...]
July 28 in German History
July 28, 1750 Death of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) in Leipzig. He was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist of the Baroque Period. He enriched many established … [Read More...]
German Dog Breeds
There are over 20 breeds that originated from Germany, some of which make great hunting partners like the German Shorthaired Pointer, the Munsterlander or the Dachshund others make excellent guarding … [Read More...]
“Kirche, Küche, Kinder”: Germany’s Three K’s
Few phrases capture the essence of traditional gender ideology quite as succinctly as the German expression "Kinder, Küche, Kirche" - children, kitchen, church. These three K's, often cited in varying … [Read More...]
Martin Heidegger – Being, Time, and the Question of Existence
Martin Heidegger is often called the most influential philosopher of the 20th century - and also one of the most controversial. His work changed the landscape of phenomenology, existentialism, … [Read More...]
Bratwurst Sauerkraut Casserole with Pretzels
If you're looking for a dish that tastes like Oktoberfest in a casserole dish, this is it. The German Bratwurst Sauerkraut Casserole with Pretzels combines three of Germany's most iconic flavors - … [Read More...]