Ask a German about their upcoming Urlaub (vacation), and you’ll likely receive a passionate answer. … (More)
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Lauingen
Lauingen is a town in the district of Dillingen in Bavaria, Germany. It is located on the left bank of the Danube, 5 km west of Dillingen, and 37 km northeast of Ulm. St. Albert the Great (Albertus Magnus) was born in Lauingen, c. 1200. His monument is in front of the Town Hall in […]
How to Act Like a Real German
How do people greet one another in Germany? How do work colleagues interact? What really makes Germans “tick”? Anyone arriving in a foreign country for the first time is often unsure of how they should behave. So it makes great sense to find out about a country’s idiosyncrasies before you arrive. You will find it […]
The Man Who Founded the First Realschule
Johann Julius Hecker (December 2, 1707 – June 24, 1768) was a German educator who established the first Realschule and Prussia’s first teacher-education institution. Hecker was born to a family of educators in Werden, then part of Prussia. As a young man, he formed an interest in theology and was drawn to pietism and the […]
Why This Raw Pork Sandwich Terrifies Americans
In Germany, it’s a humble breakfast snack. In America, it’s a food horror story. Few culinary items generate such visceral cross-cultural reactions as Mettbrötchen – the raw minced pork sandwich that sits proudly on German breakfast tables and buffet trays. For Germans, it’s familiar and comforting. For many Americans, it’s shocking, even taboo. But what […]
German Maiwein
May Wine is a traditional May Day beverage Maiwein (May Wine) is a German drink, dedicated to springtime and flavored with fresh Waldmeister (sweet woodruff). Maiwein, a white wine, imported from Germany, can be found in stores. Waldmeister is a fragrant herb, a small plant with white blossoms. In Germany it grows in the forests. […]
Spargel, or Why Germans are Crazy About Their Asparagus
Spargelzeit (asparagus season) starts in Germany in April and lasts for two months every year. At this time of the year small wooden huts start popping up across Germany. The message they all bear is simple. It’s just one word. “Spargel.” German passion for asparagus is unrivaled. One fifth of the entire arable landmass of […]
Boiled Potatoes with Quark – Pellkartoffeln mit Quark
Fresh boild potatoes combined with the creamy quark make for a wonderful snack or side dish. Perfect springtime dish for vegetarians and those who mind their waistline! Ingredients: 1 kg of new potatoes 500 g of low-fat quark 50 ml of linseed oil 2 tbsp caraway seeds 1 bunch of parsley small bunch of basil […]
Heinrich Theodor Böll
Heinrich Theodor Böll was born on December 21, 1917 in Cologne. His father was a sculptor and cabinet-maker. Böll’s Catholic, pacifist family opposed the rise of Nazism. Between 1924 and 1928, the future writer attended elementary school in Köln Raderthal, and from 1928 to 1937, the state-run Kaiser-Wilhelm classical secondary school in Cologne. He successfully […]
German Tongue Twisters
Tongue twisters, or Zungenbrecher, are a fantastic way to train your tongue in German pronunciation. It’s not only language learners who use tongue twisters—even speech therapists use them to help train native speakers, so you’re in good company! Just as English-speakers enjoy a good “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” challenge every now […]
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February 25 in German History
February 25 Feast Day of St. Walpurgis (ca. 710-779) (Name also spelled Walpurga and Walburga) St. Walpurgis was the daughter of St. Boniface's sister. In about 748 she was called by St. Boniface … [Read More...]
August 14 in German History
August 14, 1248 Construction on the Gothic cathedral in Cologne is begun. The cathedral would not be finished until the 19th century on August 14, 1880. Construction of Cologne Cathedral … [Read More...]
German Idioms-2
Related Articles:German Idioms – Part 1: Everyday Sayings ExplainedGerman Idioms – Part 2: More Quirky ExpressionsGerman Idioms – Part 3: Insightful Sayings UncoveredGerman Idioms – Part 4: Final … [Read More...]
Medieval Germany – The Merovingian Dynasty, ca. 500-751
The Merovingian Dynasty, reigning from approximately 500 to 751, is often heralded as the foundational ruling family of medieval Germany and much of Western Europe. This article delves into the … [Read More...]
Getting Married in Germany (legal issues)
If a couple plans to get married in Germany, it is recommended to start with the legal formalities as soon as possible (for example, in some regions - 6 months early), because a number of legal … [Read More...]
The Outbreak of World War II
On September 1, 1939, German troops invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later. By the end of the month, Hitler's armies had overrun western Poland. Soviet armies … [Read More...]
The Middle Ages in German History
Picture a castle perched high on a misty hill, knights in chainmail clanking through narrow village streets, and monks illuminating manuscripts in candlelit scriptoriums. Welcome to The Middle Ages in … [Read More...]
St. Lucia’s Day
St. Lucia's Day, otherwise called The Festival of Lights, is celebrated on December 13, a week after St. Nikolaus' Day. Lucia became the "Nikolaus of the women". In the early times, St. Nikolaus … [Read More...]
Real Germans and Multi-Culturalism
Real Germans and Multiculturalism, Private and Group Discussions By guest author WEISSDORN Multiculturalism Hand-in-hand with the political correctness, real Germans profess a profound interest … [Read More...]
How Germans Celebrate Birthdays: Traditions, Taboos, and Tips
Birthdays in Germany are not just about balloons and cake - they’re about tradition, respect, and a set of cultural expectations that go far beyond party hats. Whether you’re new to German culture or … [Read More...]