Photo (detail): © MOSAiC/Stefan Hendricks

Arctic researchThe greatest polar expedition of all time

In September 2019, the German research vessel Polarstern will depart for the Arctic to drift with the sea ice for a year. 600 scientists from 17 nations on board will study the dwindling, not-so-permanent ice pack.

graphic: chezweitz

50 years Stonewall RiotsQueer as German Folk

The 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots gives occasion to celebrate, but also to continue the struggle for queer rights. The Goethe-Institut supports debate and remembrance with an international program.

© Goethe-Institut e.V.

People’s Choice Podcast AwardsVote for The Big Pond!

Do you have a soft spot for offbeat stories, thorough research, and good journalism? Then share the love and nominate us for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards! Click here to create an account, select “The Big Pond. A US-German Listening Series” from the dropdown menu under “Society – Culture,” and click “Save Nominations!” at the bottom of the page.

Igor Miske © Unsplash

The Elite in the Arts

What power drives art to change? What causes new forms of expression and new styles? How does the new come into the world? American and German theoreticians show how the arts continue to develop in sudden leaps and bounds from the tension between popular and elite tendencies.

© Photo: TheDustyRebel

#artbitsQueer as Artsy Folk

Our new #artbits series “Queer as Artsy Folk” is a special on queer street art – by queer artists with attitude. Whether Homo Riot is confronting the public with their homophobia or Hugo Gyrl is spreading the militantly encouraging message “You Go Girl” across the continent – queer street art has many exciting facets. We’ll talk about a few of them here.