Goethe-Institut USA

1990 - 2025 Happy Birthday, Washington

This month, we celebrate the Goethe-Institut Washington’s opening — 35 years ago! Since 1990, we’ve proudly created a space for intercultural exchange in the heart of DC, hosting conferences, lectures, film screenings, concerts, readings, exhibitions, and performances. Over the years, renowned German and American artists, scholars, and thinkers have enriched these events. Explore our “Best of” timeline and discover highlights from 35 years of diversity, mutual understanding, and trust.

Bird's eye perspective of the building that houses the Goethe-Institut in Washington, DC with a banner that says "35 years Goethe-Institut Washington" © Goethe-Institut

Among Friends

Under the motto “Among Friends – Unter Freunden,” the Goethe-Institut USA is launching a nationwide campaign to celebrate and strengthen transatlantic friendship. Our programs are taking place all over the country – not just in cities where you may already know “your” Goethe-Institut. No matter where you are: If you're interested in cultural exchange, have personal or professional ties to Germany, or simply want to discover something new, you’re warmly invited to join us.

Among Friends - Unter Freunden GI colors Logo © Goethe-Institut, Ricardo Roa © Goethe-Institut, Ricardo Roa

your hub for learning German online

Join our free trial classes in December

We offer free 60-minute trial classes, giving you the opportunity to experience an online lesson before our next course term starts.

Join our free

Trial Sessions

Next dates:

December

The Goethe-Institut USA is Germany's offical cultural center with convenient and effective online German courses and internationally recognized language certificates.

As the international market leader for German courses, we bring you unparalleled expertise and a commitment to delivering top-notch language education.

online group, individual and business courses for all levels
professional and highly trained instructors
state-of-the-art, interactive, and fun teaching methods

Events

11/20–01/29/2026 Exhibition:
Inner Landscapes

Goethe-Institut LA Project Space, Los Angeles, CA | Exhibition

INNERLANDSCAPES-RUN-1080x1080

Events

eLibrary

The eLibrary is the virtual library of the Goethe-Institut. This free service allows you to borrow digital media, such as ebooks, audio and video files, and electronic newspapers and magazines.

eLibrary

In the Spotlight

What Drives Us

Current Music From Germany

Popcast #12/2025

Every month, we shine our search beacon into Germany's studios and clubs from Kiel up north to Weilheim way down south. Together with Zündfunk, Bavarian Radio’s scene magazine, we showcase the latest music by riveting off-the-charts bands. Tune in this December with Afar, Power Plush, and others.

German Series in the USA

Binge Fever!

Television “Made in Germany” is having a golden moment with the rise of international streaming services. In this dossier, we highlight binge-worthy German serials and fill you in on where to watch them in the USA.

Serienfieber Illustration of a hand clicking a remote control © Colourbox / Image editing Goethe-Institut Los Angeles © Colourbox / Image editing Goethe-Institut Los Angeles

Free streaming

Beyond The Blue Border

On the 35th anniversary of German reunification, we invite you to stream this gripping historical drama set in East Germany in August 1989. Hanna and Andreas risk it all in a 50 km swim across the Baltic Sea to reach the West — a powerful story of friendship, courage, and the fight for freedom. Available in German with English subtitles.