Transatlantic Musings - Gegenüber

Issue 4
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.

Every 30 minutes, or so it seems, someone finds something intolerable or outrageous. People find pleasure in narcissistic identity talk, dismantling anything that could hold society together in favour of a cult of difference.

Dr. Leonhard Emmerling in Who belongs?

Migration policy in Germany A perceived crisis

Few topics are as fiercely debated today as the "migration crisis". The situation is paradoxical: despite widespread labor shortages across the country, the focus of politicians and the media remains fixed on one issue: deportation.

Identity and belonging Who belongs?

What insights from psychoanalysis can shed light on the connection between identity and belonging? Leonhard Emmerling embarks on an inward journey and discovers that being a stranger is the very essence of belonging.

Alone in a crowd – just one of the consequences of Covid-19: since the pandemic, younger and middle-aged adults have been more likely to be affected by loneliness and feel excluded.

The Invisible Consequences of the Pandemic “Loneliness Can Affect Anyone”

According to a study, around one in three Germans between the ages of 18 and 53 feel lonely nowadays, and in some cases excluded. In our interview, the study’s author Lena Frembs explains the reasons why and proposes some possible solutions.

Gegenüber-Festival “Longing Belonging”: Keyvisual in Red and Blue — Gegenüber Festival | September/October 2024

Longing / Belonging

Stories of migration characterize our modern societies, in which people from different cultural backgrounds search for belonging. Cultural diversity is celebrated on the one hand, but at the same time new social boundaries are emerging. The Goethe-Institut's “Longing/Belonging” festival presents artistic contributions and social discourses from Germany and North America.

Serienfieber Illustration einer Hand mit Fernbedienung

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.

Key art from the Netflix Germany Series "The Signal" showing Peri Baumeister in the ISS

German Series in the USA
The Signal

How many people still believe in extraterrestrials today? The new Netflix Germany series The Signal, starring Peri Baumeister, Florian David Fitz, and Yuna Bennett, explores the possibility of non-human life in space—and aims to do much more.

Sascha Ehlert

Hanno Koffler as Hans Fittko, Deleila Piasko as Lisa Fittko, Cory Michael Smith as Varian Fry and Amit Rahav as Thomas Lovegrove in Transatlantic, Courtesy of Netflix © 2023

German Series in the USA
Transatlantic

The series “Transatlantic” was inspired by the true story of American journalist Varian Fry and the Emergency Rescue Committee, which, during the time of the Vichy regime in France, aided over 2000 refugees, including numerous artists and intellectuals, in escaping from the Nazis.

Friedel Schmoranzer

Key art from the Netflix original series “Kleo” shownig the title character portrait by Jella Haase in a red tracksuit jacket holding a pistol

German Series in the USA
Kleo

1987: Shortly after liquidating a businessman in West Berlin on behalf of a secret Stasi commando, top East German spy Kleo is arrested, denounced by the Stasi and even betrayed by her own grandfather.

Josef Markus

Goethe on demand
“Longing / Belonging” in Films

How have filmmakers realized the theme of belonging? What can we as viewers learn from them? Experience our new film series on Goethe on Demand.

Newsletter

Stay tuned, with our monthly newsletter!

Current music from Germany
Popcast #9/2024

This month with music by Chilly Gonzales, Lucy Kruger and many more!

Special Editions

The back of the net

Finally soccer again, the European Championship is here! The grass is mowed, the beer is cold, the armchair is folded out. Our special edition on EURO 2024 brings you up to date with all the latest news on Germany's national sport!

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.

Why do we still find Kafka so modern and current?

Being Kafka

Why does Franz Kafka’s spell remain unbroken a hundred years after his death? Why do we still perceive Kafka as so modern and contemporary? Because Kafka wrote such beautiful letters? Because we love drama queens? Because we feel that the world has never been more Kafkaesque than it is today? Join us as we step into Kafka’s world! Be Kafka!

Synthetic Truth: The Great AI Swindle

Is truth a personal opinion in the digital age? Experts, artists, and thinkers weigh in on the ways artificial intelligence is shaping society, from enabling creative collaboration to threatening democracy as we know it. Journey into the heart of the debate in this issue of Gegenüber.

Too Much, Enough, and Next to Nothing

The world is grappling with the consequences of unbridled expansion. As continued growth becomes increasingly untenable, we find ourselves at a crossroads. Is a healthy balance between excess and scarcity possible in today’s world? This issue delves into the intertwined narratives of growth and degrowth in society. Join us as we question the notion of progress and envision a sustainable future together.

Latest on Gegenüber

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Issue 4 Belonging

Every 30 minutes, or so it seems, someone finds something intolerable or outrageous. People find pleasure in narcissistic identity talk, dismantling anything that could hold society together in favour of a cult of difference.

Migration policy in Germany A perceived crisis

Identity and belonging Who belongs?

The Invisible Consequences of the Pandemic “Loneliness Can Affect Anyone”

Longing / Belonging

German Series in the USA Binge Fever!

German Series in the USA The Signal

German Series in the USA Transatlantic

German Series in the USA Kleo

Goethe on demand “Longing / Belonging” in Films

Newsletter

Current music from Germany Popcast #9/2024