German Culture

All about Germany

Katharina von Bora

Katharina von Bora, after her wedding Katharina Luther, also referred to as "die Lutherin", was the wife of Martin Luther, German reformer and a seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation. Beyond what is found in the writings of Luther and some of his contemporaries, little is known about her. Born into a noble but poor family on 29 January … [Read more...]

Common German Grammar Mistakes to Avoid

There is nothing wrong with making mistakes - the point is to learn from them when you make them so you can avoid making them again and come yet one step closer to proficiency. Two of the common errors that beginners typically make are: first, those garbled sentences that you can avoid only by learning whole new structures and making sure you … [Read more...]

Feuerzangenbowle – Glühwein with a Twist!

Feuerzangenbowle is a traditional German alcoholic drink for which a rum-soaked sugarloaf is set on fire and drips into mulled wine. It is often part of a Christmas or New Year's Eve tradition. The name translates literally to "fire-tongs punch". Glühwein (spiced mulled wine) is quite popular during the winter months in Germany. But if you are … [Read more...]

Wooden Toys from the Ore Mountains

Ore Mountain folk art (Erzgebirgische Volkskunst) is a well-known form of highly artistic wood carving from East Germany. Typical creations include Christmas decorations and products such as wooden miners' figures (Bergmannsfigur), Christmas angels (Weihnachtsengel), Reifendrehen figures of animals made by wood turning, smoking figures … [Read more...]

Schneeball – Sweet Pastry from Rothenburg ob der Tauber

A Schneeball (snowball), is a pastry made from shortcrust pastry and is especially popular in the area of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Its name derives from its round, ball-like shape, with a diameter of about eight to ten centimeters, and its traditional decoration with white confectioner's sugar. It is also called a Storchennest (stork's … [Read more...]

Advent and Christmas Celebrations in Germany

The Christmas season is a busy one! Celebrating German Advent will help you slow down and enjoy the real reason for the season. Advent is celebrated on the four Sundays before Christmas. The Advent tradition is a religious celebration in preparation for the arrival, or “advent” of the Christ Child (das Christkind) on his “official” birthday, the … [Read more...]

Rudolf Epp, the Man Who Loved Painting Cats

Rudolf Epp (July 30, 1834 - August 8, 1910) was a German realist painter, associated with the Munich School. Rudolf Epp was born in 1834 in Eberbach am Neckar, the son of a decorative painter. After he had started drawing from his own initiative and was artistically active, he was first taught by the landscape painter Karl Ludwig Seeger. He then … [Read more...]

How to Say Hello and Goodbye in German

Actually, the exact German equivalent to "hi" is, well, "hi". It’s not really German, as you might assume, but Germans adopted it and it’s quite usual among younger and less conservative people. From "hallo" to "na", learn the different ways to say “hello” in the German language. You’ll fit right in regardless of where you are in the country. 1. … [Read more...]

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 ideas of August Hermann … [Read more...]

Germans and Their Legendary Bread

Bread (Brot) is a significant part of German cuisine, with the largest bread diversity in the world. Around 300 kinds of breads and 1,200 different kinds of pastries and rolls are produced in about 17,000 bakeries and another 10,000 in-shop bakeries. The multitudinous variety of bread and rolls in Germany is legendary! It is based on different … [Read more...]