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History of the Goethe-Institut

Language students in Murnau © Photo Michael Friedel

Explore the history of the Goethe-Institut and discover surprising, curious, and exciting moments from more than 70 years of cultural and language work worldwide.

A Quick Dip

Language students in front of the Goethe-Institut Schwäbisch Hall. Photo: Michael Friedel

1951-1969

The founding of the Goethe-Institut in 1951 lays the groundwork for the language and cultural institute’s worldwide activities.

Advertisement for an exhibition of the German-American artist George Grosz in Turin. © Goethe-Institut Archiv

Contemporary art
 1970-1988

The social change that accompanies the worldwide student movements also affects the Goethe-Institut, which now takes up more critical positions on socio-political issues.
The Goethe-Institut Prague. Photo: Bernhard Ludewig

New institutes in the Eastern Europe
 1989-1997

The fall of the Iron Curtain allows the Goethe-Institut to expand its activities into the countries of Eastern Europe.
Außenmauer des Goethe-Instituts in der mexikanischen Hauptstadt Mexiko-Stadt. © Goethe-Institut

Umbruch in Zeiten des Terrors
 1998-2007

Die Ereignisse des 11. September 2001 beeinflussen die Arbeit des Goethe-Instituts grundlegend: Die Anschläge in den USA führen der Welt vor Augen, wie wichtig interkultureller Dialog und Verständigung sind.
Outdoor area of the second Kultursymposium Weimar in 2019. Photo: Jörg Gläscher

Focus on Africa and Digital Transformation
 2008-today

Supported by the “Aktion Afrika” initiative launched by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Goethe-Institut is strengthening its cooperation with Africa and opening several new institutes on the neighbouring continent.

Deeper Dive

Listening and exchanging ideas: final “Museum Conversations” conference in Windhuk 2019. Photo: © CreativeLab for Goethe-Institut Namibia

In profile

Once an exporter of culture, today a global networker: The Goethe-Institut has frequently changed tracks over the course of its history. From ballet in traditional German folk dress in the 1960s to the discourse on postcolonialism of the present day.

Archives

Would you like to view historical materials of the Goethe-Institut? Here you can find an overview of archives with holdings relating to the Goethe-Institut.

Das Goethe-Institut

A history from 1951 until today - in her book, the president of the Goethe-Institut Carola Lentz offers offers an insight into the history and work of the Goethe-Institut and its changing roles in the context of the past decades.

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