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Sprache. Kultur. Deutschland.

Communicating with the world.  
For diversity, understanding and trust.  

Actress Aneta Ivanova in "Darkness on the Edge of Town" by Dario Bevanda. This intense drama about memory, trauma, and identity was created as part of 'New Stages Southeast'.

Picture: © Stefan Zdravevski / Goethe-Institut Bulgarien Picture: © Stefan Zdravevski / Goethe-Institut Bulgarien

150

branches of the Goethe-Institut are active in 99 countries around the world. 

12

of the institutes are in Germany.

1952

the first Goethe-Institut opened in Athens.

4,394

employees are at work worldwide.

Learn German

Learn German with success in more than 90 countries on-site at your Goethe-Institut or online.

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Arts funding and residencies

Residencies as Spaces of Inspiration

When artists explore new horizons, spaces full of possibilities open up—places where ideas grow and cultural exchange comes alive. For the Goethe-Institut, such residencies are a central component of international cultural work: they not only foster artistic innovation but also mutual understanding and long-term cooperation, even in particularly unstable times.

Dancer of a Residency Picture: © Nina Buttendorf

Residencies spark creative impulse

Residency programmes spark cultural impetus on an international level. Writer, performer and cultural consultant Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan spoke to us about her participation in the ‘Studio Quantum’ residency programme.

Residencies spark creative impulse Picture: © Goethe-Institut

Residency programmes

The Goethe-Institut promotes art and culture worldwide and supports individuals and groups with residencies and projects both in Germany and abroad. Current calls for applications can be found on our overview page.

Residency programmes Picture: © Goethe-Institut Irland / Alicja Hoppel

The Interplay of Politics and Culture

Under the title “Responsibility for Germany,” the federal government has presented its coalition agreement. This document also impacts foreign cultural and educational policy: What significance is attributed to this policy area? What understanding of culture is conveyed? An editorial by Johannes Ebert.

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German Language

Quick access

in the background, a brick building and a bicycle, which leans against a railing, are blurred; in the foreground two men whose faces are shown with dark hair and beards, to the right in front of the men a woman with blonde dutt, whose face you can not see, she wears a blue sports jacket and black handle bag, where green water bottle looks out © Goethe-Institut/ Sonja Tobias

Learn German with Boto – monstrously strong!

The Boto Crew makes education tangible and excites children about knowledge, personal development, and international cultural diversity. With the Boto Crew, learning German becomes an adventure: Our child-friendly materials and concepts are designed for educators, teachers, and parents of children aged 3–11.

Boto Crew © Goethe-Institut

Managing immigration

German language skills and good preparation for life and work in Germany are essential for successful and sustainable integration of immigrants. With a wide range of learning and information resources, the Goethe-Institut supports people in all relevant countries of skilled labor migration on their way to Germany.

Managing immigration © Goethe-Institut

15.5M

people learn German worldwide. 9.4 million of them in Europe.

1.1M

German exams were taken at the Goethe-Institut exam centres in 2024.

8,600

teachers of German as a foreign language took part in our certification programmes within one year.

Culture

Quick access

Exterior view of Villa Kamogawa in Kyoto. © Noriko Sawai/Goethe-Institut

Ecological Futures

Ecological Futures deals with the ecological and social challenges posed by climate change and social developments. It brings together actors from urban practice, art and culture and neighborhood residents to tackle concrete problems and concrete opportunities in their neighborhoods.

Canemorto, Combo with Ema Jons © Gian Andrea Montanino

Goethe-Institut in Exile

The Goethe-Institut in Exile, based in Berlin Mitte, creates a diverse cultural program together with displaced, exiled, and migrated artists. Intended as a space for exchange, critical discourse, and a stage for at-risk cultural practitioners, it addresses the needs of artists from countries where the Goethe-Institut was forced to close.
 

Two people with headlamps are illuminated with red and green light and forest projections during a music performance. Pure © Ksenia Yanko

25,000

cultural events delighted 6,6 million people worldwide within one year.

130

artists took part in the residency programmes worldwide in 2024

278

book translations into 36 languages were funded in 2024.

Events

16.01.2026 | 9:00-13:00 Uhr

Goethe-Kino für Schulen

Film mit Workshops für den Sekundarbereich

Goethe-Institut Ljubljana –

Goethe-Kino für Schulen 2,3*1 © Ajda Schmidt & Goethe-Institut Ljubljana

21.01.2026 | 19:00 Uhr

Klavier bei Goethe

Konzert

Goethe-Institut Neu-Delhi

Klavier bei Goethe Grafik: Goethe-Institut / Andrea Wöhr

All events

Network

The Goethe-Institut is represented by 150 institutes in 99 countries around the world. In 1952 the first Goethe-Institut opened in Athens.

World Map with locations of Goethe-Institut

Career

We will show you what we stand for as an employer and as a globally active cultural institute and what we offer you. Get to know us! We are the Goethe-Institut.

Karriere © Goethe-Institut © Goethe-Institut

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