The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach.We promote knowledge of the German language abroad and foster international cultural cooperation. We convey a comprehensive picture of Germany by providing information on Germany's cultural, social and political life.
Through our network of Goethe-Institutes, Goethe Centres, cultural societies and reading rooms, alongside our examination and language learning centres, we perform the principal tasks of cultural and educational policy abroad. We work in partnership with public and private cultural bodies, the German federal states and municipalities, and the corporate sector.
We draw on the rich variety of our many-faceted open society and Germany's lively culture. We combine the experiences and conceptions of our partners in Germany and abroad with our professional skills and engage in a dialogue rooted in partnership. In doing so, we function as service providers and partners for everyone taking an active interest in Germany and the German language and culture, and act independently with no political affiliations.
We face the cultural policy challenges of globalisation and develop innovative concepts for a world made more human through mutual understanding, where cultural diversity is seen as an asset.
The Goethe-Zentrum (German Cultural Center) Atlanta, conveniently located in the cultural center of Midtown Atlanta, supports and informs all those who would like to teach or study German and are interested in Germany and its culture. Through a variety of cultural events the center promotes international cultural cooperation and plays a large role in building bridges of understanding and in conveying the appropriate image of modern Germany.
The Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta is part of the general network of the 140 Goethe-Instituts worldwide.
The Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta supports German teachers in Alabama, Arkansas, North and South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas and offers workshops and seminars for teachers of German as a foreign language.
A network of particularly qualified teachers has been charged with the task of spreading the newest ideas on teaching techniques and didactics in multiple seminars throughout the whole region.
A large program of internationally recognized exams, which can be taken in 15 examination centers throughout the region, complements the program of the Goethe-Zentrum for learners of German.
Friends of Goethe, Inc. was founded in 1996, a non-profit organization with the purpose of raising funds to support the language and cultural programs of the Goethe-Institut Atlanta. As of 2007, the Goethe-Institut Atlanta and Friends of Goethe, Inc. are pronounced one entity, the Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta. Friends of Goethe are now all members who contribute annually and all sponsors who support specific cultural events with considerable donations. The Goethe-Zentrum has a reading room, fully equipped with a state-of-the-art film projector for movie nights and events. It is open to the public and can also be used for private and corporate events by sponsors.
The Ambassador of Germany to the United States, H.E. Dr. Klaus Scharioth, will visit Atlanta on January 28, 2010. The purpose of his visit is to celebrate, with his French counterpart, H.E. Mr. Pierre Vimont, the German-Franco friendship through the opening of the joint offices of the cultural centers Goethe-Zentrum / German Cultural Center and Alliance Française.
