A young woman (Eilis Frawley) looks thoughtfully to the side. Word "Popcast" © Janina Gallert
© Janina Gallert

The latest music from Germany
 Popcast #4/2025

Listen to the latest tracks from Germany. This month with DJ Koze, Albertine Sarges and many more!
Solidarität © Ricardo Roa
© Ricardo Roa

Solidarity and universalism
 Double Exposure

In today's individualized societies, there is a tension between solidarity and universalism. The challenge is to respect diversity and individual freedom without losing a sense of shared responsibility and belonging. Only this double exposure makes it possible for people to stand up for each other in solidarity and respect universal values despite their differences. 
Key art gegenüber Article Double Exposure shows an illustration with a storefront church © Ricardo Roa

Storefront Churches
 Prayers between Donut Shops and Laundromats

Drawn in by bargain real estate, they’re wedged into bustling corner plazas or nestled between vacant retail spaces – storefront churches. The sacred and the profane in a marriage of convenience. But they are far more than just austere places of worship, as our author had to realize.

Kathrin Buschmann

Titelbild Gegenüber Artikel Solidaritätslied zeigt eine Collage mit Eisler, Tonträger und Noten © Ricardo Roa

Solidarity Song
Whose world is the world?

Written for the film “Kuhle Wampe”, the “Solidaritätslied” (Solidarity Song) stands as a timeless anthem of the workers’ movement. In the film, solidarity was unequivocally tied to the unity of the working class. But what does solidarity mean in today’s world? An article about the social relevance of the song.
 

Martin Conrads

The Tragedy of the Commons © Ricardo Roa

The Tragedy of the Commons
Self-governance as a way out of the dilemma

The social sciences describe how commonly available resources, such as water or grazing land, are inevitably wasted. But is there perhaps a way to counteract this?

Christian Hüsch

Serienfieber Illustration einer Hand mit Fernbedienung © Colourbox / Image editing Goethe-Institut Los Angeles
© Colourbox / Image editing Goethe-Institut Los Angeles

German Series in the USA
 Binge Fever!

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

Recommended reads

Solidarität © Ricardo Roa

Double Exposure

In today's individualized societies, there is a tension between solidarity and universalism. The challenge is to respect diversity and individual freedom without losing a sense of shared responsibility and belonging. Only this double exposure makes it possible for people to stand up for each other in solidarity and respect universal values despite their differences. 
Belonging? School of fish version Photo by Jeffrey Hamilton at Unsplash

Belonging

How far has a radically open society been realized in the face of growing nationalist narratives on both sides of the Atlantic? The issue “Belonging” of Gegenüber magazine tells of life in a different homeland to one's grandparents, of cultural reproductions and mutations from one place to another, of new roots and aspects of exclusion that should not be alien to anyone, but which weigh differently. And it asks whether the concept of “native” vs. “migrant” is still valid.
Immanuel Kant Illustration by Antje Herzog

Kant Today

The philosopher Immanuel Kant was born in Königsberg 300 years ago. Kant’s work is considered the pinnacle of the philosophy of the Enlightenment. What lessons can we learn from Kant? Where did Kant fall short? This is what our special edition on Kant is all about — and it is also about the philosopher himself: his companions, quirks, and surprising skills.

Popcast

Rock, pop, hiphop, electro: at the beginning of every month we shine our search beacon into the nation’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.
Echo-Verse © Wild Bunch

Goethe on Demand

On this site, we present a variety of online film programs, film festivals and film series that can be streamed from home. More information about the alternating film series can be found here. The films are presented in original language with subtitles. They are accessible online and free of charge after registration.
Colorful snippets © Shutterstock

Snippets

Germany’s cultural landscape is vibrant and diverse, with exciting developments across the arts, film, music, and literature. From literary festivals and prices to groundbreaking exhibitions in galleries across the nation to the latest releases from acclaimed filmmakers and authors, there’s a wealth of creativity to explore. 


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