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Culture

  • By Deutsch Centre
  • September 14, 2021
  • Culture, history

Changes ahead: Germany makes a historic decision at the next election

On September 26th 2021, Germans will go to the polls to elect a new Chancellor for one of Europe’s largest countries. Huge changes are ahead, since this is not totally […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • July 2, 2021
  • Culture, hamburg, hanseatic city, hansestadt, history, lubeck, medieval age, Travel

Hanseatic nobility and civic freedoms

The medieval trade association that shaped Germany and modern Europe Welcome to a journey back into history and up to the very North of Germany, the realm of the “Hanseat”, […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • January 20, 2021
  • Culture, history, language

Could you pass me my Handy, please? How Denglish influences modern German language

Let’s jump right in: The term „Handy“ causes plenty of confusion between Germans and native English speakers. The German word for mobile phone sounds so very English that it’s hard […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • September 8, 2020
  • Culture, history, Travel

Back to nature: German’s national parks and the return of the wolves

Nature might not be the first idea when thinking about Germany. Engineering, industry, car manufacturing, the Autobahn, densely populated cities spring to mind. But then there are, of course, other […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • August 25, 2020
  • Culture, history

The country of poets and thinkers (and maybe engineers and inventors)

Sometimes back in the philosophical revolutions of the early 19th century, German intellectuals coined the phrase of the “Land der Dichter und Denker”, the country of poets and thinkers, to […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • July 22, 2020
  • Culture

Skilled trades have “golden foundations” in Germany

The benefits and setbacks of a dual education system “Handwerk hat goldenen Boden”: When choosing your career as a young person in Germany, this sentence will be thrown at you […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • June 17, 2020
  • Culture, history, language

Why it always rains in England: Your food defines the weather ;-)

“Iss auf. Sonst regnet es morgen.” German kids know this sentence when growing up: Empty your plate, or it will rain the next day. Quite a few of my German […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • May 4, 2020
  • Culture

The German gardener

“My home is my castle” – it might be surprising, but this English term can be found on the wall of many German households, often in handmade stitching. It fits […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • March 25, 2020
  • Culture, history

Home entertainment, old style: German parlour games, survival in Corona times

Being in lockdown with a small kid brought back something that we neglected due to all the offers of the electronic age: Family and group entertainment via parlour games, a […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • February 25, 2020
  • Culture, history, language, swear words, swearing

Verflucht und zugenäht – The art of swearing in German

Trigger warning: Bad words and naughty language ahead. Admittedly the author enjoys swearing quite a lot (probably even more since moving to England 10 years ago), so there is literally […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • January 9, 2020
  • Culture, funny names, language, names

Can you say „Schnuckiputzi“? (Or maybe try “Mausibärchi”)

Tongue twisted? Not for Germans. When it comes to pet names, Germans are amazingly creative – as opposed to given names, where the authorities still apply strict rules in comparison […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • December 1, 2019
  • arts, Culture, Travel, woodcraft

Ore Mountains – legends of toys

Many of the stereotypical German qualities are born from a certain level of conservatism and a love for the status quo. Yet innovative ideas are just as German, embracing change […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • December 1, 2019
  • Culture, history, language

Don’t slip, but slide: Getting into the New Year, German style

Already made up your New Year’s resolutions? Do you actually believe in them? Let me go out on a limb: Probably not. And neither do Germans. Despite their reputation as […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • November 1, 2019
  • Culture, german cuisine, history, martinmas, st martin

Treats without tricks: St Martin in Germany

Every November brings a challenge for German parents: The candy collection. If you now think of Halloween, you wouldn’t be entirely wrong. The very American habit of “trick or treating” […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • November 1, 2019
  • Culture, Travel

Everything goes… especially the passenger – Public transport in Germany

“Well, in Germany buses are on time.” This was the famous answer of politician Gregor Gysi, asked about outstanding German qualities. Punctuality, reliability, quality are stereotypical German traits, and who […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • October 1, 2019
  • Culture, history, science fiction, Travel

Per aspera ad astra: Germany’s dream of Outer Space

On 21st of September this year a pioneer of space travel died – after a long and exciting life full of adventures, always on the bleeding edge of history. Sigmund […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • October 1, 2019
  • Culture

German Illness – Beware the draught

“Tür zu! Es zieht!” – A sentence you might hear quite often when entering German houses. And no, this is not a special greeting, and there is no friendly answer […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • October 1, 2019
  • Culture, history

Celebration of unity: October 3rd, the German National Day

„East or West?“ – this dreaded question followed Germans around the globe whenever they were traveling until 1989, when the political status as “front state of the Cold War” finally […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • September 1, 2019
  • autumn, Culture, festivities, history, Travel

The Volksfest tradition: Party, German style

Being German, one can’t avoid the biggest of clichés (if we leave out “Don’t mention the war!”): Lederhosen, beer, pretzel, Oktoberfest. The most German thing of all seems to be […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • August 1, 2019
  • Culture, history, Travel

The forest nation: Why trees are at the heart of the German soul

The English language doesn’t know a word with the same meaning as the German “Heimat”. The translation as “homeland” doesn’t remotely touch the emotional charge of its German counterpart, which […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • August 1, 2019
  • Culture, education, history

The learning society: Schools in Germany

Two decades ago Germany lived through a shellshock. The world famous PISA study classed the country’s schools as merely average, while Finland took the pole position. This was an attack […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • July 1, 2019
  • community, Culture, leisure time, verein, volunteer work

Organized Germany: Nonprofit associations are a backbone of society

Legend has it that there is nothing more German than proper “order”, well sorted administration and neat bureaucracy. That might be true in some ways, especially when it comes to […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • July 1, 2019
  • car, Culture, driving in germany, Travel

Life is a highway – Germany’s love for cars

There’s magic in the air when it comes to German motorways – “die Autobahn” is famous among motor enthusiasts around the world. Legend has it that Germany does not have […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • July 1, 2019
  • Culture, driving abroad, driving in germany, Travel

The 5 most important things you need to know about driving in Germany

Driving abroad can be a challenging venture and requires a bit of courage. But with some idea of what to expect and where rules and local driving behaviour differ from […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • July 1, 2019
  • Culture, history, Travel

The Cult of Purity: German beer and why it is the best in the world.

Legend has it that beer was popular in ancient Egypt. The Babylonian Code of Hammurabi mentions beer in 1754 B.C. and lays down explicit rules regarding brewing and serving of […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • June 1, 2019
  • climate change, Culture, environment, recycling, renewable energy, world environment day

Car(e) free Sundays and ecological conscience: Green Germany

The third Sunday of June traditionally marks the “Mobile without a car” day in Germany – a tradition going back to the car-free Sundays of the Suez crisis in the […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • June 1, 2019
  • Culture, homestay, hospitality, overnight guests, Travel

“You’re welcome” – How to enjoy your time as an overnight guest in a German home

Back in the days when I was a pupil, I spent some weeks as an exchange student in Cambridge, like many other German kids who stay in host families around […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • May 1, 2019
  • adolescence, coming of age ritual, Culture, eastern germany, history, youth ceremony

Celebrating adolescence: Jugendweihe German youth ceremonies in and outside of church

Growing up in West Germany in a Catholic surrounding with just a few protestant sprinkles, it was normal for me to witness plenty of church rituals. Many of my friends […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • May 1, 2019
  • ascension day, church, Culture, german holiday, history, public holiday

Bridge days and Christian tradition: What Father’s Day and the Ascension of Jesus have in common

Thursday, May 30th is Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension of Jesus) and a national holiday in Germany. What would be a “bank holiday” in England, demonstrating the historical power of banks and […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • April 1, 2019
  • Culture, history, labour day, may day, may pole, walpurgis night, workers day

May Day in Germany: Worker’s movement tradition and folkloristic entertainment

I remember the term “May Day” being confusing to me when I heard it the first time. As a non-native speaker, it was a little too close to the “Mayday” […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • March 1, 2019
  • cologne, Culture, fasching, history, karneval, mainz, shrove tuesday, Travel

The fifth season: How German carnival takes over and splits the nation for days of folly

A few years back I found myself in hospital for surgery on a more or less auspicious date: Outside the gates (and a little bit also inside), carnival had taken […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • March 1, 2019
  • arts, childrens books, Culture, german literature, international childrens book day, language, youth literature

Colourful worlds of education and fun: German Children’s books

Believing the teachers of my six year old daughter and my own intuition, reading is the most important skill for young children. Schools in England put huge effort in motivating […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • February 1, 2019
  • Culture, german cuisine, history, kartoffel, potato, recipe

Don’t call me Kraut – … the proper term should probably be “potato”

No, don’t worry, this article won’t complain about insults thrown at Germans. Rather the opposite: We want to correct an inaccurate stereotype and replace it with something far better. Yes, […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • January 1, 2019
  • Culture, sport

The football nation: Germany’s heritage of sport

The last football world cup reinstated a huge chunk of England’s pride regarding this national sport, even though it was not “coming home” at the end of the day. Germans, […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • January 1, 2019
  • Culture, gender equality, history, language

Your fork is female, your spoon is male: Gender is a big issue in German language and culture

When the news broke that Germany now officially recognizes a third gender in official documents, many people were surprised to see this kind of breakthrough in a country as focused […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • December 1, 2018
  • christmas 2018, christmas present, Culture

Saint Nicholas, Baby Jesus and Santa Claus: Three iconic figures compete about bringing gifts to Ger

Looking into German Christmas traditions, it’s a big surprise how many of the well-known icons of English Christmas celebrations have their roots in Germany – the Christmas tree, for example, […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • November 1, 2018
  • Culture, Travel

The cyclist is always right (when the car driver isn’t)

Riding a bike in Germany means being on the bleeding edge of social change Does this headline sound a bit extreme to start a fun topic like cycling? Yes and […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • November 1, 2018
  • Culture, history

Remember, remember the 9th of November – The German Day of Fate

While the UK celebrates Remembrance Day on November 11th, for many parts of Germany the date (and the time 11:11am) marks the start of carnival celebrations, with red noses, clowns […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • November 1, 2018
  • arts, christmas 2018, Culture, german cuisine

Food, kitsch, gifts and sweet alcohol: Germans love Christmas markets – as do Mancunians

Long before the actual season starts, Christmas markets make their appearance in Manchester’s streets and squares – from November 9th to December 22nd it’s nearly two months in which foodies […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • September 1, 2018
  • cultural awareness, Culture, german cuisine, german meal, history

Know your Knigge: What to avoid during German Mealtimes

“When you’re at home, behave as if you were on the king’s table. This way, when you’re at the kings table, you can behave just like home.” Many German kids […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • September 1, 2018
  • arts, Culture, education

Magic dwells in each beginning: The start of school is a special moment for German families

Many things can be said about the English education system. Being surrounded by home-educating parents, I hear a lot of criticism. One of them is the early start: It is […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • August 1, 2018
  • Culture, Travel

The big outdoor splash: German Freibad culture is every summer’s trend

Come summer time, beaches are a favourite destination all around the globe. Germans have taken the love for outdoor swimming, sunbathing and picnic to an all new level by introducing […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • July 1, 2018
  • Culture, german language, informal address, language

You can say you to me: Formal language is serious business in Germany

„You can say you to me“ – legend has it that German chancellor Helmut Kohl made this generous offer to US president Ronald Reagan during the negotiations of Germany’s reunification. […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • July 1, 2018
  • Culture, german bread, german cuisine

Bread and Butter – The core of German nutrition

Legend has it that beer and Bratwurst are the cornerstones of German food, and Brits like to call Germans “Krauts” for their love of Sauerkraut, but both is not quite […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • June 1, 2018
  • Culture, history

The ball is round: German football is pure wisdom… and en route to win a fifth star

“The ball is round, and a game lasts 90 minutes” – famous words of German football legend Sepp Herberger, and a common proverb even among people usually not very interested […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • June 1, 2018
  • beach holidays, Culture, Travel

Up and away: Going on holiday, German style

„Wenn einer eine Reise tut… dann kann er was erleben.“ The German proverb, in old-fashioned language, simply translates to: “He who travels will live through adventures”. Adventures and experiences, much […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • May 1, 2018
  • BBQ, Culture, german cuisine, sausages

Homemade Meat Feast: Germany’s traditional barbecue

Visiting Germany in summer, it is hard to avoid the scents of a longstanding German tradition, celebrated whenever the sun is out: Homemade barbecue, grilled over searing charcoal in gardens, […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • January 1, 2018
  • Culture, german cuisine, pancake day, Travel

It’s Carnival time!

For many Germans, February is carnival time. Since medieval times a period of merriment has been a precursor to the Lenten fast for Christians across the world. Germany explodes in […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • October 1, 2017
  • Culture, history

The German Day of Unity

October 3rd marks the anniversary of Germany’s unification. Across the country, people remember the date in 1990 when East and West Germany united to become one federal Germany. Why was […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • July 1, 2017
  • Culture

Der Hund – The Top 5 German Dog Breeds

German people love their dogs. They take them everywhere including to work on ‘Take Your Dog to Work day’. The pampered pooches can travel on trains, buses, and trams. In […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • June 1, 2017
  • Culture, language

Why Kids should Learn a Second Language

We teach our children to count and to read from an early age. Today many parents even conduct explosive kitchen experiments with their pre schoolers as they attempt to give […]
  • By Deutsch Centre
  • May 1, 2017
  • arts, Culture

Music to Mein Ears

There exists a stereotype about the German people which suggests that they are a stoically unromantic race. That the collective desire for perfection and precision overrides any sentimental inklings or […]

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