Goethe-Institut USA

Happy Birthday, Washington! Looking Back, Moving Forward

Last month, we marked 35 years since the Goethe-Institut Washington opened its doors. Since 1990, we’ve been a hub for intercultural exchange in the heart of DC — hosting lectures, films, concerts, exhibitions, and more enriched by renowned German and American artists, scholars, and thinkers. Explore our “Best of” timeline and celebrate decades of creativity, dialogue, and trust as we step into a new year together.

Bird's eye perspective of the building that houses the Goethe-Institut in Washington, DC with a banner that says "35 years Goethe-Institut Washington" © Goethe-Institut

Among Friends

Under the motto “Among Friends – Unter Freunden,” the Goethe-Institut USA has launched a nationwide campaign to celebrate and strengthen transatlantic friendship. Our programs take place all over the country – not just in cities where you may already know “your” Goethe-Institut. No matter where you are: If you're interested in cultural exchange, have personal or professional ties to Germany, or simply want to discover something new, you’re warmly invited to join us.

Among Friends - Unter Freunden GI colors Logo © Goethe-Institut, Ricardo Roa © Goethe-Institut, Ricardo Roa

your hub for learning German online

Learn German Online - Kick Off 2026

January group courses are live – perfect for anyone kicking off their German language journey or leveling up for their next chapter in 2026.

Get ready for

Online Group Courses

Next start:

January 12, 2026

Trial Classes © Goethe-Institut

The Goethe-Institut USA is Germany's offical cultural center with convenient and effective online German courses and internationally recognized language certificates.

As the international market leader for German courses, we bring you unparalleled expertise and a commitment to delivering top-notch language education.

online group, individual and business courses for all levels
professional and highly trained instructors
state-of-the-art, interactive, and fun teaching methods

Events

01/14/2026|7:00 PM–9:30 PM An Evening With Navid Kermani - A Literary Salon

Goethe-Institut LA Project Space, Los Angeles, CA | Reading and Discussion

kermani1000x1000 © StudioPandan

Events

eLibrary

The eLibrary is the virtual library of the Goethe-Institut. This free service allows you to borrow digital media, such as ebooks, audio and video files, and electronic newspapers and magazines.

eLibrary

In the Spotlight

Current Music From Germany

New Year, New Sounds: Popcast #1/2026

Each month we spotlight Germany’s freshest music together with Zündfunk, Bavarian Radio’s scene magazine. Kick off 2026 with our January picks: Dominik Eulberg, Donna Regina, and more.

Popcast #1/2026 : Gündaleins Hände © Kateryna Riabenko © Kateryna Riabenko

Film Series

Berlin Nights

Failed robberies, chance encounters, and plenty of clubbing—what happens in Berlin after dark, when the lights go out (or stay on), is endless. This film collection offers an overview of the nighttime potential of the iconic capital and the diversity of characters who find themselves at the center of the action.

Dossier

Hannah Arendt

Fifty years after her death, the work of German-American philosopher and author Hannah Arendt remains strikingly relevant. In the face of today’s complex challenges, her work compels to revisit fundamental questions of freedom, responsibility, and judgment. In this dossier we approach Arendt’s life and work in a nuanced and insightful way and invite you to reflect on them in a contemporary context: What does it mean today to think and act in the spirit of Hannah Arendt?

Illustration: Hannah Arendt halb liegend mit rauchender Zigarette in der rechten Hand Illustration: © Eléonore Roedel Illustration: © Eléonore Roedel

German Series in the USA

Binge Fever!

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

Serienfieber Illustration of a hand clicking a remote control © Colourbox / Image editing Goethe-Institut Los Angeles © Colourbox / Image editing Goethe-Institut Los Angeles