Lifestyle

Parks

Parks are found around everywhere and oftentimes offer insight into society. But how do we use them? How do they differ from one place to another, from the United States to Germany? We invite you to join us on a multimedia journey through parks!

The Corona Pandemic
A Globalisation of Solidarity

Dealing with the pandemic demands quite a lot from us. Two questions are crucial right now: How ready are we to learn from it? And what lessons will we learn? Which is why EU countries in particular should now move closer together to become a Europe of solidarity.

City contours Gottingen
The knowledge city with an innovative spirit

Gottingen’s motto “The city that creates knowledge” is emblazoned on the central train station where it welcomes newcomers and long-time residents alike. It could hardly be more fitting, given that Gottingen University sets the pace and rhythm of the city. Our author Stefan Keitel takes us on a tour of places full of academic free spirit, industrious research and political resistance.

Frankly … social
Early evening in the city

Our author Maximilian Buddenbohm strolls through the streets and observes two scenes. What do these scenes have in common?

Frankly ... integrated
Made in Germany

How does the outside world perceive Germany? Does a marketing slogan tell the whole story about a product and the producer? Dominic Otiang’a highlights the schism between perception and reality.

Frankly … posthuman
Does the new generation want a car at all nowadays?

How would Generation Z like to move around in the future? As a member of this generation, our columnist Aya Jaff explains what’s important to her, and why electric vehicles might not be the answer.

Frankly ... Berlin
Nothing learnt?!

Our Berlin columnist Margarita Tsomou writes every month about the capital from a feminist perspective. Today it is - of course - about what the new lockdown regulations mean for feminism.

Frankly … social
Two or three hours a day

From screen time to boredom – when are children actually supposed to fit all that into their routine? Our columnist Maximilian Buddenbohm considers all the important parenting questions modern mums and dads have to ask themselves.

Frankly ... integrated
The banality of freedom

To avoid culture shock we must appreciate one basic fact: different countries, different customs. But maybe that is easier said than done, as Kenyan author Dominic Otiang’a points out.

City contours Mannheim
Mannheim: it’s hip to be square

For many, Mannheim is just an annoying ICE stopover that makes the trip from Frankfurt to Stuttgart that much longer. And it could be argued that passengers on a train do not get to see this city on the Rhine and Neckar rivers from its best side. But author Jan Zipperer is confident that Mannheim has a lot to offer.

Frankly ... Berlin
The Techno-Drift

Our columnist Margarita Tsomou longs to be able to dance the nights away again. Today she talks about how Berlin’s subculture is still raving and celebrating its freedom, despite the pandemic and social distancing rules. Her dance at Tempelhof Field is Margarita Tsomou’s way of taking a stand against the anti-democracy demonstrators at the German Reichstag.

Granny Trude
Attractive fashion

Granny Trude buys sustainable fashion from fair trade sources. Less is more here. And she has some additional tips for protecting the environment and giving your clothes a new lease of life.

Frankly ... integrated
Culture in Lockdown

The cultural sector has been among the hardest hit by the pandemic. The impact is more than just economic. Cancelled festivals have left their ardent followers with a feeling of loss of their own raison d’être, according to Kenyan writer Dominic Otiang'a.

Survival Kit for Studies
“One should not overstimulate one's emotional capacity”

Katharina, 26, is currently doing a teacher’s degree in German language and music at the University of Osnabrück. In our survival kit, she recounts how she once had to write a paper about fever madness while simultaneously struggling with fever madness herself.

Spring '90
"Suddenly everyone is here again“

One year after Berliners danced on the wall, Germany is one country again. But how did the reunification feel for a former inmate of Hohenschönhausen? A story about Argentinean steak at the Stasi headquarters, unexpected reunions and Berlin clubs.

Frankly ... Berlin
Summer in Berlin: how the pandemic is changing physicality and feminism

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

City contours
Groovy, individualist and friendly is what Hamburg is all about

Rumour has it that the residents of this former Hanseatic League city between the Alster and the Elbe rivers listen to sea shanties, eat “Labskaus”, and are fairly taciturn. And there’s some truth to that, of course. But people from Hamburg are also musical polyglots, march to the beat of their very own drums, and have an unvarnished view of their history. Author Ingo Scheel takes us on a tour of the “Tor zur Welt” (gateway to the world). 

Frankly ... integrated
Of seasons and contrasting cultures

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.

City contours
Cologne for those with a head for heights and a heart for fun

The first things most people think of when they hear Cologne are the cathedral and Carnival. But this city on the Rhine, founded by the Romans and already a commercial hub in the Middle Ages, has so much more to offer. Visitors can admire the remains of an ancient temple outside a McDonald’s toilet, enjoy culture in a former cable factory, and attend the largest computer game trade fair in the world.

Frankly … social
Language, science, art – and me

Observations in the library: people sitting everywhere – working or studying. One student glances over noticeably often. Why’s she doing that?

Frankly … social
Little Gestures

Speaking from behind a mask – you often can’t understand much. So people find new ways of communicating. Maximilian Buddenbohm has been watching them.

Frankly … social
The complication paradox

New rules and procedures are making everything more complicated – for instance when you want to buy an ice cream. On the other hand: couldn’t it just be really straightforward?

Frankly … integrated
Of changing times and gender roles

On the occasion of the 45th International Women`s Day, Dominic Otiang’a critically examines the emergence of gender roles in different societies and poses the question “What is freedom, and who defines it?”

Frankly … social
Cake and Corona

The world’s gone crazy, there’s barely anyone on the street. Is it this situation that led a businessman and a homeless woman to share an unusual experience?

City contours
“Dit is Berlin”

Berlin has a reputation for being loud, non-conformist and just a bit rude. Our author Nele Jensch looks into what the German capital is really like as she takes readers on a tour of the city where you can see more in one go around the block than elsewhere over the course of year. 

Frankly ... Posthuman
What do we know about the Coronavirus?

The Coronavirus, or more accurately, Covid-19, is sweeping across China and causing global alarm. What do scientists know about the virus so far?

City Contours
Bremen isn’t Hamburg – but so what?!

No more than a traditional Hanseatic city with a hotly disputed beer? This port city has many more surprises in store than just four musical animals and the Weser River. Our author Hinnerk Köhn thinks Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin would do well to take a page out of Bremen’s book.

City contours
Eco-city with a bath for ladies

Freiburg is known throughout Germany as a green city. Our author Gina Kutkat explores the sunny town in the Breisgau Region to see what this means. Along the way she uncovers spots with a unique flair and open-minded inhabitants, while underscoring contours not visible at a first glance.
 

Frankly … integrated
The pestilence, the myths and realities

Almost six months have passed since COVID-19 was first noticed as a novel, unknown disease. Half a year later, the virus has caused a global pandemic. Thousands have died. Dominic Otiang’a takes a closer look at how Germany reacted - individually, and as a society.

City Contours
Munich is conservative? Traditional? Boozy?

Well, which is it then? Come and explore the Bavarian capital with us – also against the grain. We give you an outline of the classic places, communities and events that are an intrinsic part of the city profile – and we redraw the contours by challenging a few clichés.

Frankly … social
Memory, disgust and habits – observations during lockdown

How can a stair rail provoke revulsion? What’s remarkable about a traffic jam? Why is something that until recently would have been a comedy gag considered normal these days? – Day-to-day differences in corona times.

Children’s birthday parties in Germany
Classics like the sack race and marble cake

In Germany, a traditional children’s birthday party includes Topfschlagen, literally ‘hitting the pot’, and egg-and-spoon and sack races. Jonas is looking forward to playing the classic games and a delicious birthday feast to celebrate turning four. 

Vlog
On the road with Rahel in … Cologne

What are the people of Cologne doing to make their city a better place to live? Rahel was out and about for you to find out – and answer your questions!

Frankly ... Berlin
Among dogs

There are 100,000 dogs living in Berlin – our columnist Gerasimos Bekas knows them all. Today he grants you exclusive insights into the world of the disturbed residents.

Martha Dalton
Understanding Germany: Why do you have free tuition?

Martha Dalton, a reporter at “The Big Pond” partner station WABE in Atlanta and a participant in the Close-Up 2019 journalist exchange, finds out more about how the German education system works.

#MyJob
“Motivating young people to keep going”

Amine El Aryf came to Germany in 2011 because of love. A Moroccan national, he has been involved in the organisation of entry qualifications for refugees and young people in Berlin since 2017. The fact that he took up a training role is partly to do with the weather in Germany.

#MyJob
“Empathy is important”

Administering medication, measuring blood pressure and continually asking patients how they’re feeling: nurse Samed Qoshja has plenty to keep him busy in his job. Originally from Albania, he has been working at the Berliner Charité since 2017 – and Germany already feels almost like home to him.

Fun Facts and Phrases
Wiesn Vocabulary

Sound like a true Münchener while you’re Prost-ing with your friends! Our vocabulary list contains the most important words and unique Bavarian expressions you’re likely to encounter while stumbling around the Oktoberfest. Enjoy, Gaudi!

#nurinmeinersprache
UNIQUE WORDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

What does the Greek word "filotimo" mean? Or the Dutch "uitwaaien"? Each language has unique words that have no direct translation. They express special feelings, describe typical situations or stand for personal qualities.

Granny Trude
Our daily bread

Granny Trude bakes her own bread – and she can give you some tips on how to make bread last longer and all the cool things you can do with leftover crusts.

Everyday life
“Let’s talk about food!”

How has eating culture in Germany changed? In this conversation grandfather and granddaughter explore what separates and what connects the generations.

Shara Tibken
Nine things Americans don’t know about Germany

Germany is not all lederhosen and pretzels, but that’s what many of us picture before our first visit. Shara Tibken can confirm this, because she thought so, too. 

City traffic
The Modern A to Z

Getting around the city could be so easy if it weren’t for everyone else on the road. Here is an A to Z of the most important drivers and riders you’re likely to encounter in the average urban environment.

Frankly ... integrated
Join me in the beer tent

Dominic Otiang'a persuades us to go to a German beer tent with him. No Bavarian beer tent, but one with African guests in Bavarian costume.

Frankly … social
How people introduce themselves in Germany

People in Germany tend to give their first name when introducing themselves – and then immediately say what they do for a living. This is far from straightforward for our columnist Maximilian Buddenbohm.

Tourism
Undiscovered Germany

As a holiday destination, Germany attracts visitors from all over the world because of its rich cultural and natural heritage. But what does Germany have to offer besides Cologne Cathedral, the Semper Opera House and Schloss Neuschwanstein? Check here to discover sights that you may not have been aware of. 

Life as a digital nomad
When the world is the better office

Working on a train in India, video conferencing on Skype from a beach in Thailand, enjoying an after-work apéritif in a new city every week – digital nomads make the most of the new technologies to see the world, earning their daily bread as they go.

Urban planning
After the Wall: Berlin’s Urban Planning Dilemma

Modern-day development projects vs. trailer parks and teepees: where the Wall once divided Berlin in half, the city's housing culture is now torn between memory and modernity, nostalgia and progress.

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