Modern Life

The Hanseatic city of Bremen is high on the list of bike-friendly cities around the world, ranking above even Bogotá and Tokyo. But how do you go about turning a car city into a bike city? Michael Glotz-Richter from Bremen’s municipal authority reveals all.

Holi is celebrated with much fervour and enthusiasm in the subcontinent. Yet what has always been a colourful and, in many places, loud festival will probably be more subdued in 2021. 
What does it mean to celebrate Holi amid so many restrictions? What are the digital options?

Most people would like to lead a life that is in harmony with their environment - but it should be as comfortable as possible and without major restrictions. There are actually a few ideas on how to do this – small everyday aids that have a major impact on the environment.

It is almost impossible to find an affordable flat in many parts of Germany’s capital today. This may soon change though, now that the rent cap law went into force in Berlin in March 2020. It freezes existing rents for a period of five years. But it is not the only means of protecting Berlin’s tenants.

In addition to roast pork with dumplings, a pork joint with sauerkraut, and potato salad, no list of German national dishes would be complete without the humble currywurst or curried sausage. The spicy snack was invented 70 years ago.

Food preservation is quite the thing these days. Just like so much from the old days. And if you fill up your store cupboards, you don’t have to visit the supermarket as often – Granny Trude’s pleased about that, and not just in corona times.

McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut: International fast food chains are taking over the Indian market. However, people traveling to India who think they may get something familiar, rather than more curry and chicken tikka, should beware: The menus at fast food restaurants in India are … dangerous.

Our new columnist Magrita Tsomou views Berlin from a queer feminist perspective. Her latest observation is the emancipatory power that comes when normality ends.

Coping with the stress and challenges of Covid-19 and responding to seasonal changes bring out the starkest contrasts in human behavioural patterns and cultural practices. An observation by the Kenyan writer Dominic Otiang'a.