Literature and Translation

The German Language Column

Our column delves into navigating German language rules, tracing the origins of new words, and highlighting significant language usage shifts, offering insights into these engaging linguistic discussions.

Word! The language column © Goethe-Institut e. V./Illustration: Tobias Schrank © Goethe-Institut e. V./Illustration: Tobias Schrank

Reading & Language

New literature in Germany

From the German Bookshelves

From the German Bookshelves illuminates the rich tapestry of contemporary German literature, uncovering the voices of a new generation of authors, their narratives transcending linguistic boundaries, thoughtfully translated for a global audience.

From the German Bookshelves © Getty Images © Getty Images

Reading made easy

For learners of German from language levels B2 and C1 (of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), we recommend the following works of contemporary German-language literature in the Onleihe, our free digital library.

Illustration: Maria Tran Larsen © Goethe-Institut Illustration: Maria Tran Larsen © Goethe-Institut
Cherrypicker suggests

Read and listen

The "Cherrypicker" blog presents selected novels and non-fiction books, graphic novels and stories, audio books and music CDs from the wealth of new German-language publications. Every week a new recommendation, every week an opportunity to discover outstanding texts, images and voices.

© Goethe-Institut / Illustration: Tobias Schrank © Goethe-Institut / Illustration: Tobias Schrank

Authors & Thinkers

150 years Thomas Mann

Thomas Mann was born 150 years ago and is one of Germany's most important writers of the 20th century. As a Nobel Prize winner and political commentator, he has left a lasting literary legacy. Join us in exploring the many facets of Thomas Mann.

Eine Illustration von Thomas Mann © Autograph © Autograph

300 Years of Kant

Kant’s work is considered to be the pinnacle of Enlightenment philosophy. The philosopher was born in Königsberg in 1724. His maxim that we should use our reason seems more relevant and pressing today than ever before. What lessons can we learn from Kant? Where did Kant fail in his endeavours? What are the abysses and darker sides of the Enlightenment? This is what our Kant special is all about.

Illustration by Antje Herzog Illustration by Antje Herzog
Being Kafka

Why does Franz Kafka’s spell remain unbroken a hundred years after his death? Is it his exquisite letters, our affection for dramatic tales, or the sense that our contemporary world has never been more Kafkaesque? The centenary of Franz Kafka's death presents a chance to delve into innovative approaches to understanding the author and his captivating oeuvre.

© Goethe-Institut, Illustration: Roberto Maján © Goethe-Institut, Illustration: Roberto Maján
200th Birth Anniversary

Max Mueller Bicentennial

Friedrich Max Mueller, philologist and scholar, would have turned 200 in December 2023. As namesake of the Goethe-Instituts in India, his bicentennial serves as an occasion not just to remember but to revisit his renown, while critically engaging with the complexity of his contributions. This dossier goes beyond tribute to delve into Max Mueller’s historical role, influence and relevance within contemporary India.

© Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan © Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan
Hermann Hesse: 100 years of Siddhartha

The Sound of Faraway Lands

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of "Siddhartha", the Goethe-Instituts in South Asia are exploring the ways South Asia and Germany are received by one another – in literature, music, film and everyday culture.

Filmstill from "Vagabunden Karawane" © Werner Penzel Filmproduktion itd. Filmstill from "Vagabunden Karawane" © Werner Penzel Filmproduktion itd.

Translation & Exchange

Graphic Passages

“Graphic Passages” aims to introduce high-quality German comics and graphic novels to readers across South Asia through translation into key regional languages. The project seeks to bridge cultural and artistic exchange between the vibrant comic scenes of Germany and South Asia, while promoting graphic storytelling as a creative and diverse literary form for adult and young audiences.

Literary translation

The German List

Seagull’s German List which is supported by the Goethe-Institut since 2009 now comprises more than 90 translations of formidable works of contemporary German literature by distinguished authors and laureates such as Max Frisch, Theodor W. Adorno, Thomas Bernhard, Hans Magnus Enzensberger and Ulrich Peltzer.

Illustration: Tobias Schrank, Goethe-Institut Illustration: Tobias Schrank, Goethe-Institut
Poets Translating Poets

Poetry mirrors society, this project features some of the most renowned poets from South Asia who deal with identity, gender concerns, multiculturalism and diversity through their work.

© Goethe-Institut Mumbai © Goethe-Institut Mumbai
Contemporary Drama In Translation

Contemporary German-language drama is characterized by enormous variety. This project is about translating some of them in six South Asian languages – Bangla, Hindi, Marathi, Sinhalese, Tamil, and Urdu.

©Sapan Saran ©Sapan Saran

Literature Experiences

Boarding!

Graphic Travelogues

Join us on this special journey and immerse yourself in new worlds: Graphic Travelogues presents travel experiences by comic artists from different countries. From sketches to graphic novels, graphic diaries and travel drawings - discover with us the treasures we collect here.

The Infinite Library

The Infinite Library is a travelling installation that uses VR and other media to reimagine the future of libraries as interactive spaces that engage visitors through multisensory forms of storytelling.

© Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan © Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan
Goethe Darbaar

A celebration of literature, poetry and the arts—experience readings, performances and conversations with local and international writers, poets and artists at the event series Goethe Darbaar.

© Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan © Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan
Queer Caravan

Queer Caravan is a collaborative initiative by Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan, the French Institute in India, and The Queer Muslim Project, supported by the German-French cultural fund. This unique residency program brings together queer storytellers and artists from France, Germany, and India to amplify underrepresented LGBTQIA+ voices.

Articles

Friedrich Ani’s moving childhood story

A Foreign Home

The Munich-based writer Friedrich Ani has written a book about his childhood and his origins – it also explores how silence led him to writing and to his literary voice.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Michael Friedel © Goethe-Institut e.V. / Michael Friedel
Literary Football Booklets

Relationship Status: Complicated

In stark contrast to the Football World Cup, which gets bigger every time, there are publications from two publishers that prove the saying: small but mighty!

Wasted Time R, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Wasted Time R, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
New Comic "Saloon" by Mia Oberländer

Dysfunctional Family, Western Style

A family gathering without conflict is conceivable, but unrealistic. Mia Oberländer knows this all too well. Her new comic Saloon is set in the Wild West, where there is no escaping conflict and resentment in the middle of an endless desert. Can reconciliation still be possible?

© Edition Moderne © Edition Moderne
On the 100th anniversary of her birth

The Continuing Relevance of Ingeborg Bachmann

What remains of an author who ceaselessly reshaped her own image? A century after Ingeborg Bachmann’s birth, her work leads us back to the enduring questions of freedom, love, and identity – and compels us to see them anew.

Photo (detail): Otto Breicha; © picture alliance / brandstaetter images Photo (detail): Otto Breicha; © picture alliance / brandstaetter images
Literature from Germany

Books for young readers

Young adult literature has seen a remarkable surge in popularity in Germany, a trend that began during the pandemic. Young readers are sharing their reading experiences on social media, which is driving growth further. We take a look at the most popular genres in young adult fiction today.

Photo (detail): © picture alliance / SZ Photo | Stephan Rumpf Photo (detail): © picture alliance / SZ Photo | Stephan Rumpf