Modern Life - Trends - Goethe-Institut

Berliners in the Country (Photo: © Tobias Schäfer)

Out to the village! - Berliners in the Country

Live in the big city or in the country? This question is about more than simply where to live. Behind the alternative “Town or Country” lie very individual dreams and ideas about life.More ...

Piggy rose and candy pink – kitsch colour or coloured kitsch?

You can spot the girls’ aisle in a department store instantly: rose and pink, combined with glitter, plush and sequins. In other words: kitsch. A cultural history perspective.More ...

The philosopher Martin Gessmann. Photo: Martin Gessmann

“Sometimes you’re the cog, sometimes the football god” – An interview with Martin Gessmann

In an interview the philosopher and author Martin Gessmann tells why football is an untimely phenomenon and why society can learn something from FC Barcelona.More ...

The “20up” in Hamburg. Photo: Oliver Heinemann © 20up

Germany’s urban rooftops

To really get to know a city, it's worth getting a look at it from above. Rooftop restaurants and bars are increasingly popular these days. Thanks to central locations they are revealing new perspectives.More ...

In Germany a name change is only possible when there are important grounds for the change. Photo: styleuneed © 123RF

From Birth for Life – Unusual Names

Peter Monitariabeliogelader has a nice ring to it. But it is unlikely that anyone would want to be called Dimwit or Mudguard. So people who are desperately unhappy with such names can go to the authorities and get them changed.More ...

Among the booming subjects with solid future potential are International Communications and Photonics. Photo: Luca Palermo © iStockphoto

I have a dream – German students plan their futures

Anna-Katharina, Ivo and Ceyhun have a lot in common, most importantly the clear choices they made with regard to university courses. They know exactly what they want from their futures.More ...

Backyard flea markets have an appeal all their own. Photo: Ralf Broskvar © iStockphoto

An Annual Highlight – The Backyard Flea Market Season in Munich

Backyard flea markets started about ten years ago in the Munich district of Schwabing. Meanwhile, 250 apartment buildings register.More ...

Scene from “Das Wunder von Bern” (The Miracle of Bern, 2003), Photo: © Universum Film Home Entertainment

The Soccer Film in Germany – For Love of the Game

The German soccer film has a long tradition, but roaring success was long not forthcoming. Only since Das Wunder von Bern (The Miracle of Bern) have big and small films about the leather sphere established themselves.More ...

Berlin Olympic Stadium, Photo: © Fritz Busam

Choreography of the Masses – Soccer Stadiums in Changing Times

With the building of stadiums, soccer began its breakthrough to becoming a mass phenomenon. The almost sacred aura of a soccer stadium becomes most noticeable when no one is playing soccer in it.More ...

Emotional moments in the stadion, © Colourbox

Football and Music – Almost a Love Match

No goal, no triumph, no coach’s tirade: the most emotional moment of the European Football Championship 2012 already took place in the first round when the Irish comforted their team with a song.More ...

Dr Marc Calmbach. Photo: sinus-institut.de

Sinus Youth Study 2012 – “Work Hard and Play Hard”

What makes young people tick? This was what the new Sinus Youth Study run by social researcher Dr Marc Calmbach aimed to find out. In our interview, he paints a picture of a generation without any particularly rebellious tendencies.More ...

“Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo” brought the world's attention to Christiane F. Photo: © Gruner und Jahr

A kid from Zoo station – Christiane F. turns 50

“Christiane F. Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo” (lit. “Us Kids from Zoo Station”) – a book and film that brought the world's attention to Berlin's heroin-addicted youth. On May 20th, 2012, Christiane F. celebrated her 50th birthday.More ...

The “Autonama” wins the European Championship of National Authors’ Teams. Photo: autonama.de

The German National Authors’ Team – Football-Playing Ambassadors

Through football, the “Autonama” is breathing new life into international cultural exchange and has evolved to an official ambassador of the German Football Association (DFB).More ...

Granny au pairs are much sought-after. Photo: Aldo Murillo © iStockphoto

Au pair grandmas are discovering the world

More than 500 women over 50 years of age are registered at Granny Aupair. The only requirements for these temporary grandmothers are a degree of independence and a longing for adventure and foreign cultures.More ...

Bike, biker, bike checkup

Take your bike and go for the free check-up at Odeonsplatz, where a mechanic will check your brakes, patch your tire and attend to your basic biking needs.More ...

The Deutscher Zukunftspreis is presented annually by Germany’s Federal President. Photo: © Deutscher Zukunftspreis

German Prize for Technology and Innovation

The Deutscher Zukunftspreis is a major national prize for innovation. It is presented annually by Germany’s Federal President. The award not only considers outstanding technological aspects, but also new job creation.More ...

Decorated stop sign Photo: © Die Rausfrauen

Rausfrauen: Munich’s common thread

Two young women who call themselves “Die Rausfrauen” sneak through the city at night leaving unique “graffiti” in their wake. Their knit pieces are a way of taking back public spaces while colorfully illustrating the value of traditional handicrafts.More ...

Carl Benz Patent-Motorwagen from 1886. Photo: © Daimler

Germany Celebrates 125 Years of Automobile History

Not so long ago, Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler gave the first major impetus to the future of the automobile.More ...

Matthias Lutz-Bachmann; © Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main

Renaissance of Religion? An Interview with Matthias Lutz-Bachmann

Are religions experiencing a comeback? Goethe.de talked to Matthias Lutz-Bachmann, a philosopher of religion, about a post-secular society.More ...

There are consistently fewer bees in Germany. Photo: Alexander Pakhnyushchyy © iStockphoto

Bees buying the farm

Bee experts are facing a curious dilemma: For years now, entire populations of bees have been mysteriously dying off. The reasons are unclear as yet, but they may include climate change and the use of pesticides. Either way, the consequences are potentially disastrous.More ...

For sightjogging You just a pair of running shoes, a decent level of fitness and an inclination for a good sweat. Photo: © Gösta Dreise Touristjogging

A different way to enjoy a run

Sitting motionless in a bus or walking silently behind a tour guide is not exactly the most exciting way to experience a new city. Seeing it while on a long-distance run is a whole different ballgame. Guided jogging tours, anyone?More ...

The legend of St. Pauli lives on Photo: An d © Creative Commons 3.0 Unported

101 years of FC St. Pauli – “Our world is brown and white”

Everyone gets goose bumps at Hamburg’s Millerntor stadium when Hells Bells from AC/DC starts. FC St. Pauli, the home team here, is one of the most idiosyncratic clubs in the German Bundesliga. It celebrated its 100th birthday in 2010.More ...

Greeters show visitors their city different than your average city tour. Photo: Fabian Busch © Mannheimer Morgen

Greeter: Sightseeing in the Neighborhood

Another idea from America hits Germany: “Greeters”. Motivated only by a sense of hospitality and a passion for their city, these unique citizens happily show visitors their favorite locations around town.More ...

The Tatort commissioners investigating a crime at a women’s football club. Photo: Krause Burberg © SWR

Murder at the whistle

The crime series “Tatort” is one of the most popular shows on German TV. In addition to excitement and action, the program is always filmed in new locations and covers a range of current social topics – including women’s football.More ...

The medieval trend has by no means peaked yet. Photo: Tomasz Domagala © iStockphoto

The Great Fascination of the Middle Ages

The Germans are fascinated by the Middle Ages – whether in the form of markets and tournaments, books and films, costumes or exhibitions. People now have a more differentiated view of the medieval period.More ...

There are nine elite schools for football in Germany. Photo: Kirk Strickland © iStockphoto

From grades to goals

European Cup champions, World Cup champions and Champions League winners ... women’s football in Germany is on a successful course. Perhaps not surprisingly, many of the players on these triumphant teams got their start in sports schools.More ...

The fact is, most people prefer to talk rather than listen Photo: © iStockphoto

All the things that can go wrong in conversations and why they do

Good conversations are important – probably everyone would agree with that. But much too often, people hold trivial conversations in everyday life or talk completely at cross-purposes.More ...

Women’s football is still overshadowed by men’s football. Photo: Pete Saloutos © iStockphoto

Girls start playing football at age six or they don’t start at all

What is the best way to foster young talent in women’s football? The problem is as challenging for Sportverein HSC, a small club in Hanover, as it is for VfL Wolfsburg. Both are pushing hard to recruit interested youth.More ...

Nostalgic museum lines have become more popular than ever. Photo: Mark Ogle © iStockphoto

Jim Knopf’s steamy friendships

The past has a number: 52 8038. Polished to a high sheen, freight locomotive 52 8038 is chugging its way through the plains of northern Germany. On many of the routes these old steam trains are actually making a huge comeback for fans of nostalgic journeys.More ...

Hen partys: high-spirited women’s power Photo: Craig Swatton © iStockphoto

Ladies First – The Hen Party Phenomenon in Germany

It has become more and more common to see hordes of tipsy young women in fancy dress pulling hand carts and selling schnapps as they walk through the entertainment districts of German cities.More ...

Theo Zwanziger: “The interest in women’s football is increasing.” Photo: nycshooter © iStockphoto

An interview with Theo Zwanziger: the future of football is female

Theo Zwanziger has been a member of the board of the German Football Association since 1992. In 2006 he was elected as its president. We spoke with him on the meaning of women’s football and the upcoming Women’s World Cup.More ...

Some people hate them, others love them: board games Photo: Pamela Moore © iStockphoto

Alpine Journey and Cockroach Poker – the German Games Archive in Nuremberg

No nation enjoys playing like the Germans. The German Games Archive in Nuremberg has been collecting the whole range of games since 1945 – a journey in time through the world of board games.More ...

Dotschy Reinhard – talent is inherent in her family. Photo: G. U. Hauth

Jazz Singer with Sinti Roots: Dotschy Reinhardt

She is a musician – and a German Sintisa. This influence is tangible in Dotschy Reinhardt’s music, but not in the way the cliché would lead one to expect. The 34-year-old performs a balancing act between tradition and innovation.More ...

Bernd Schröder, trainer for FFC Turbine Potsdam’s first team Photo: © Erster FFC Turbine Potsdam

Bernd Schröder in an interview: “Women’s soccer is more honest”

Bernd Schröder (68) is the trainer for FFC Turbine Potsdam’s first team and has won a number of titles since joining the club in 1971. The last highlight was their Champions League win in May 2010.More ...

Ruhr 2010: All The Colours Of The World – The Seven European Gardens Project

As part of the Ruhr 2010, European Capital of Culture Year, a project has been brought into being that links up seven dye gardens that have been installed as “social sculptures” for the Ruhr 2010 with partner gardens all over the world – the Seven European Gardens Project.More ...

There are a million gardens in German cities Photo: Chris Price © iStockphoto

The Germans’ Love of Gardens Blossoms Again

The Germans enjoy their allotment culture. More and more young people rent their own plot of land in the city and in so doing tread new paths. Weeds are allowed and your own organic vegetables definitely taste better.More ...

Germany is heading towards a growing shortage of skilled workers Photo: Jacob Wackerhausen © iStockphoto

Competing for Migrants

Germany’s population is shrinking. Many structures can only be maintained if a sufficient number of people use them. What can the Germans do to attract educated migrants of benefit to the economy?More ...

Two Bremener run a small model building operation for historic sailboats and modern yachts Photo: Jitalia17 © iStockphoto

Building ships with tweezers and a scalpel

Wolfgang Petschenik and Gunnar Behnke’s model “shipyard” epitomizes the type of precision and quality that compels museums, ship owners and real dockyards to order the Bremen operation’s miniature yachts, ocean liners and sailboats.More ...

The Germans and the Austrians have a special relationship Photo: Ingrid Kranz © www.pixelio.de

Somehow it Could Work: “We Came to Stay”

A book focuses on the subject of Germans who have settled in Austria. “Wir sind gekommen, um zu bleiben” (“We came to stay”) is the title of this entertaining collection of experiences relating to an unusual phenomenon.More ...

Bundesjustizministerin Brigitte Zypries: “Homosexuelle Paare sind keine schlechteren Eltern.” Foto: Brasil2 © iStockphoto

“It’s OK, my father’s gay” – Rainbow Families in Germany

Roughly 7,300 children and youth in Germany live in households with two mothers or two fathers.More ...

The Germans' rediscovered hobby: hiking Foto: Barbara Polzer

Nature is All the Trend – The Germans are Hiking Again

Never before have so many people gone out into nature in their leisure time as they do today. And people for whom pure impressions of nature are not enough simply try out new trends such as night hiking, GPS hiking or geocaching.More ...

A sprayer, who doesn't like to be identified, sprays an unauthorized graffiti on a wall in Berlin. | Photo: © picture-alliance, Wolfram Steinberg

Illegal, But Brilliant: Germany's Street Art Blogs

Whether you think of it as vandalism, great art, or something in between, everyone has got something to say about street art.More ...

The Berlin Foundation “Respekt!” Raises Awareness of Youth Cultures. Photo: © Archiv der Jugendkulturen e. V.

Different from the Rest of the World – The Berlin Foundation “Respekt!”

Inside knowledge about the techno, punk and hip-hop scenes is collected by the Archive of Youth Cultures. There are plans to raise awareness of youth themes among politicians and parents.More ...

Graffiti in Prenzlauer Berg; Photo: Lorenz Vierecke

Berlin and its “Kieze”

When people in Berlin ask the question, “What ‘Kiez’ (neighbourhood) do you live in?”, they are not just interested in the geographical location.More ...

Interior view of Stroke 2011 at the Zenith cultural centre in Munich, via www.artschoolvets.com

Socially Acceptable Subculture – The Stroke Art Fair in Munich

Creativity between art and commerce: a visit to the Stroke Art Fair, an urban art expo in Munich where designers, street and graffiti artists can show off their skills.More ...

Nerd Nite: combination of a bar situation and the opportunity to learn something about an unusual Photo: Miodrag Ignjatovic © iStockphoto

Nerd me up, please – Nerd Nite in Munich

Instead of heading to the beer garden, increasing numbers of Müncheners are going out to hear Nerd Nite discourses on the art of sharpening knives and readings of one-vowel poetry.More ...

Berlin is widely considered the leading center for anti-folk after New York Photo: Ina Peters © iStockphoto

Bohemian life – anti-folk in Berlin

In recent years Berlin has become one of the world’s leading anti-folk cities after New York, developing a rich subculture that rebels instinctively against the existing structures of the music industry and concert business.More ...

Klaus Quirini was Germanys first DJ Photo: © Scotch Club

Compulsory Ties and in the Mood For Partying. Klaus Quirini – An Interview with the Very First DJ

50 years of discotheques: The first DJ started to play records in Aachen back in 1959. Initially ridiculed by the competition, Klaus Quirini alias DJ Heinrich soon became famous.More ...

The German roots in Turkish hip-hop Copyright: iStockphoto - Les Byerley

German-Turkish Hip-Hop: Field Studies in Bavaria

German-Turkish hip-hop has had a seminal influence on rap music in Turkey. A sociologist and a documentary film maker have travelled to Munich to find out why this is so.More ...

At the Ballhaus Ost in Berlin: *Faust auf Faust* adapted from Goethe’s Faust, directed by Florian Loycke, photo rehearsal 5 October 2008; © Helmi Puppentheater

Hand-Held Foam-Filled Stage Fun

Whether Faust, Rocky or Romeo – Florian Loycke and his cohorts from Helmi Puppet Theatre put them on the stage. The Berlin puppeteers transform the stuff of literature, art, film and pop culture into madcap stage productions. Helmi is a most unusual offshoot of the “off” theatre scene in Germany.More ...

Anyone consuming without compunction today has to watch their step. Photo: Nadya Lukic © iStockphoto

Celebrating the Moment – Against Asceticism

Abstinence is ideologically in vogue. Writers such as Karen Duve preach a message of aware consumption. But there are also counter-examples. Writers Robert Pfaller and Peter Richter take up the cudgels for the fullness of life.More ...

What has happened to the fitness parks? Photo: webphotograpeer © iStockphoto

Fitness parks – a relic from the past comes back to life

Forty years ago, Trimmy, the mascot for a campaign sponsored by the DSB (German Sports Confederation), tried to motivate Germans with the slogan roughly translated as “Get fit – do sports!”More ...

Fitness Trends

"How fit is Germany?" A television broadcast recently spilled the truth: Germans aren’t in the best of physical shape. And that despite the rising number of sports enthusiasts. For there is a growing awareness that physical fitness improves the quality of life.More ...

Organic Boom in the Supermarket – Growth and Collapse

The times when organic food shops smelt of wood and muesli and the tofu sausages tasted of it are past. Eco chic is in, and tasty. Just like organic bananas, organic milk, organic meat and organic ready-to-serve pizza. Not only is there plenty of talk on this subject in Germany – organic is being bought. Everywhere and more every year.More ...

Smoking Ban in Germany

Between autumn 2007 and the beginning of 2008, smoking bans will be coming into force in all of Germany's federal states. Smokers may at times find themselves facing somewhat confusing regulations – while uniform laws will apply in stations and official buildings, this will not be the case in pubs, restaurants and cafes, as these will be subject to state laws. A commentary by Roger Boyes.More ...

Erna & Co. started touring the area around Stuttgart in March 2011. Photo: © Erna & Co.

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