German Culture

All about Germany

German Sense of Humor

German humor style is often a hasty rude satire. Popular German cabarets of pre-war period are worldwide famous for their nipping jokes. The traditions of German political satire are rather old and conservative, especially in Eastern Germany. In most large cities there were cabarets financed by the government. Texts went through the obligatory … [Read more...]

The German Constitution

The framers of the Federal Republic of Germany's 1949 constitution sought to create safeguards against the emergence of either an overly fragmented, multiparty democracy, similar to the Weimar Republic (1918-33), or authoritarian institutions characteristic of the Nazi dictatorship of the Third Reich (1933-45). Thus, negative historical experience … [Read more...]

Federalism in Germany

Germany has a strong tradition of regional government dating back to the founding of the German Empire in 1871. Since unification in 1990, the Federal Republic has consisted of sixteen Laender: the ten Laender of the former West Germany, the five new Laender of the former East Germany, and Berlin. (However, Berlin and the eastern Land of … [Read more...]

Development of the Health Care System in Germany

Nearly everyone residing in Germany is guaranteed access to high-quality comprehensive health care. Statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung--GKV) has provided an organizational framework for the delivery of public health care and has shaped the roles of payers, insurance or sickness funds, and providers, physicians, and … [Read more...]

Climate In Germany

Although located mostly at latitudes north of the United States-Canadian border and thus closer to the Arctic Circle than to the equator, Germany's climate is moderate and is generally without sustained periods of cold or heat. Northwestern and coastal Germany have a maritime climate caused by warm westerly winds from the North Sea; the climate is … [Read more...]

The Reunification of Germany and Its Aftermath

The East German and West German economies at the time of unification looked very similar. They both concentrated on industrial production, especially machine tools, chemicals, automobiles, and precision manufactures. Both had a well-trained labor force and an important export component, although their exports went largely in opposite directions. … [Read more...]

Christmas traditions in Germany

Christmas (Weihnachten) is considered to be the most important of the major holidays in Germany. Not only the holiday itself, but also the weeks leading up to the celebration of Christmas involve many traditions and customs. Christmas preparations in Germany begin from 1st of December as people bake spiced cakes, gingerbread houses and cookies, … [Read more...]

Kartoffelklöße (German Potato Dumplings)

Potato dumplings are old-fashioned comfort food, and they are often served with the Sunday roast and then reheated with the leftover gravy on Monday. Pair with wine that's right with the type of meat that's on the menu.   Ingredients: 2 tbsp butter 1 loaf white bread, cut into cubes 1/2 cup flour 2 pounds (900 g) boiled potatoes, … [Read more...]

Beef Rouladen

Rouladen or Rinderrouladen is a German meat dish, usually consisting of bacon, onions and pickles wrapped in thinly sliced beef which is then cooked. Ingredients: 4 large, sweet onions, sliced 3 tbsp olive oil 4 lb (1.8 kg) beef top round, cut into 6 mm by 20 cm long slices, pounded until tender 1 tsp paprika sea salt whole black … [Read more...]