#DeutschlandNoFilter: The Germany Magazine of the Goethe-Institut

A dark green-tinted photograph shows an oasis with water in the foreground and people and camels passing by in the background. On the right-hand side of the image, you can see a picture of the author Daniel Stähr framed in a circle.

Word! The Language Column Toxic Oasis

Terms like “tax haven” or “tax exile” may sound harmless – but they distort reality. Daniel Stähr shows how language shapes our perception of taxes, obscures problems, and why we should start speaking about them more precisely and honestly.

The picture shows a man and a woman and in the centre a dish on a plate with chicken and vegetables. Above it is written ‘Poulet DG’ in capital letters.

Comfort Food Stories: What does home taste like? Poulet DG - Aurelien from Cameroon

In the second episode, Rachel meets Aurelien from Cameroon. Together, they cook “poulet DG”. In the video, he talks about his arrival in Germany, his experiences of racism during his work, and what particularly impresses him about Germany.

Rahel Klein

In focus on the left side of the image: the protagonist Tom, wearing sunglasses and a white T-shirt, standing thoughtfully in front of the hotel entrance. Blurred in the background on the right: a bus with new visitors getting off.

Picture Palace | Film Oh Tom

Tom lives where others go on holiday. But the dream of tennis courts and club nights has long since faded—until a young family brings a splash of color into his life. In Islands, Jan-Ole Gerster crafts a subtle thriller about loneliness, responsibility, and escapism.

Benedikt Maria Arnold

Illustration of various people. The front centre of the picture shows two people talking, microphones placed in front of them — Podcast Portraits

Three podcasts, one topic: we talk to the hosts and ask how it all began - and what motivates them.

Language

A dark green tinted photo shows a wave in the form of dollar notes.

Word! The Language Column What Is the Language of Capitalism?

Language shapes the way we think — and that includes how we talk about the economy. In his column, Daniel Stähr explores the language of capitalism and shows that it is not a law of nature – but a way of speaking that shapes what we believe to be true.

In the background, the flags of Bavaria can be seen waving in the wind. In the foreground is a picture of the author, Bettina Wilpert. She is white, with short brown hair, wearing a thick jacket over a shirt and glasses.

Word! The Language Column What remains of the dialect?

Bettina Wilpert grew up in Bavaria. But she was soon drawn to Berlin and Leipzig. She is hardly homesick for Bavaria. However, some unique Bavarian words and phrases still accompany her through everyday life.

Hamburg Rathausmarkt: Participants in “Handmaidsriot” with an action against femicide

Word! The Language Column Cover-up Tactics

Linguistically smoothing over and glossing over unpleasant facts – this is achieved with the use of euphemism. Bettina Wilpert lifts the veil and asks what could be behind the euphemisms. Her advice is to look closely at the words. Especially with politically sensitive topics.

Culture

Grave of Ernst Jandl and Friederike Mayröcker at the Vienna Central Cemetery

Cherrypicker | Literature ogottogott

On his 100th birthday, we are honouring Ernst Jandl, who became known above all for his experimental poetry. His poems were many things: political, funny, drastic, melancholy. And nobody could recite them as well as Jandl himself.

Christian Kracht reads from his novel “Air” at Lit.Cologne 2025.

Cherrypicker | Literature The Perfect White

In his new, as always stylistically convincing novel, Christian Kracht takes his literary game of illusions to the extreme. The result is both frustrating and exhilarating.

In good form: In 2025, the German women's national soccer team had not lost a game by the start of the European Championships

11 Facts About the UEFA Women’s European Championship Caught Up in Cup Fever

From July 2 to 27, Switzerland will host the 14th UEFA Women’s European Championship. How to still get tickets, what’s inside the ball, and who might win the title — we’ve got all the answers right here.

Germany

A collage with images of sports. A person with a SUB board by the lake, a climbing wall and a group of cyclists.

Everyday Life in Germany: Sport Edition German Sports Culture: You Snooze, You Lose!

Germans love trying out new sports. In doing so, they quickly become experts — or "let it slide". Here are some personal observations from our author, Lena Maurer.

A real crowd-puller every year: the Karlsruhe Palace Schlosslichtspiele festival.

Detours | Karlsruhe Palace Light Festival The City As a Backdrop for Digital Art

Though light shows abound, hardly any other is as spectacular as the Schlosslichtspiele light festival at Karlsruhe Palace. If you’re looking for a travel destination with the wow factor this summer, Karlsruhe is the perfect choice!

A pedestrian is walking on a street in the sunshine. The picture is framed with red colours.

Heat in Cities Heating Up: German Cities in the Climate Crisis

Is Germany prepared for the heat? Yes and no. Here's how cities are making plans to combat the heat, despite being confronted with a wide variety of conditions. We take a look at Stuttgart, Essen, Kassel and Leipzig.

Illustration of several symbols: Windmill, bicycle, garbage, earth and thermometer

Sustainably Explained

Our climate and sustainability format provides information on the climate crisis and its links to Language, Culture and Germany.