the German words "Gegen" and "über" are separated by blue waves
the German words "Gegen" and "über" are separated by blue waves

The lastest from the world of German Culture
 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. 

Colorful snippets © Shutterstock
Hedwig Fijen, Director of Manifesta (6th from right), artist Mehtap Baydu (5th from right), and the cooking collective of her performance Analı Kızlı – With Mothers and Daughters, Manifesta 16 Ruhr. Courtesy of the artist / Manifesta 16 Ruhr. Photo: © Birgit Ostermeier

Manifesta 16 Ruhr
 Churches on a New Mission

Manifesta 16 Ruhr is reimagining what shared spaces can become. Titled This is not a church, the biennial has transformed 12 former or at-risk post-war church buildings across Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen and Bochum into active sites for art, community, play and public participation.

Birgit Ostermeier

In the black-and-white photograph, the Austrian writer Ingeborg Bachmann can be seen, wearing a middle part, her left hand appearing blurred due to a gesturing movement. © picture-alliance / brandstaetter images/Barbara Pflaum | Barbara Pflaum

100th Birthday of Ingeborg Bachmann
 Breaking the Silence Through Poetry

Ingeborg Bachmann rose to prominence as a celebrated author of the postwar era with her very first publication. To mark what would have been her 100th birthday, Beate Tröger revisits the poetry collection “Die gestundete Zeit” (Time Deferred) – with which Bachmann not only challenged the imprecision of language, but also wrote against the silence surrounding war, crimes and guilt.

Beate Tröger

Gestapo photos of Sophie Scholl, taken during her identification procedure on February 20, 1943, after Scholl had been arrested on February 18, 1943 Unknown German police officer, Source: Stadtarchiv München, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

On the 105th anniversary of Sophie Scholl’s birth
 The sun still shines

Sophie Scholl died at the age of 21 and remains remembered to this day. An understanding of who she was lies less in the images associated with her than in the quieter, more private details of her life.

Felipa Regattieri

Jürgen Habermas Photo (detail): Johannes Simon; © picture alliance / SZ Photo

On the Passing of Jürgen Habermas
 The Power of the Argument

Few thinkers earn the highest respect both as master theorists and public intellectuals. But Jürgen Habermas was one of them. The renowned philosopher has died aged 96.
 

Sandra Trauner

We feel our anger and our sorrow, as well as jubilance and bliss – and the calm within. We march. We smile. We kiss and we hug. We will probably be back again.

Alan Young during the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, 1979

VE-Day Celebrations in Toronto on May 8, 1945 © City of Toronto Archives; Fonds 1257, Series 1056, Item 195

80th Anniversary of May 8, 1945
 Liberation Without the End of War

Many European countries celebrate the end of the Second World War at the beginning of May. The event is also commemorated in North America, but without an official holiday. A transatlantic view on the 80th anniversary of the armistice in Europe.

Lisa Olbering