Archive for 'Traditions'
Der Maibaum (maypole) Posted by jan on May 19, 2012
Today I want to introduce a German tradition to you, that takes place in May. I´m talking about the so called Maibaum (maypole). A Maibaum is a decorated tree or at least stock of tree that is usually aufgerichtet (erected) on May the 1st. In some regions it is already put up on the eve…
Frohe Ostern! – Happy Easter! Posted by Sandra Rösner on Apr 5, 2012
The time has come again. Easter is almost here. Since Germany is a Christian country, its people celebrate the annual commemoration of the Auferstehung Jesu Christi (Resurrection of Jesus), commonly known as Ostern (Easter). Both designations German Ostern and English Easter have the same linguistic roots, and there are different explanations of its origin. Among…
Building a Carolingian abbey Posted by jan on Mar 19, 2012
As I checked the news today, I read an article about an extraordinary project in Germany that I want to share with you. In a Wald (forest) near the town of Meßkirch ,which is situated in Baden-Württemberg close to Bodensee (Lake Constance), a medieval abbey and village are going to be built – strictly under…
Valentinstag – Valentine’s Day Posted by anja on Feb 12, 2012
Only two days until Valentine’s day! Have you already sent out your greeting cards, prepared your presents, planned the evening with your loved one? The custom to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day as the day of lovers was introduced to Germany by US soldiers after WWII, and then got popularized among the general public by marketing…
Das Meer – the sea Posted by jan on Feb 9, 2012
Here´s an audiovisual comprehension about the sea. Watch the video and answer the questions afterwards. Attentions: This one might be for advanced learners! Here are the questions: 1. How many percent of the oxygen is produced by plants living in the sea? 2. What is the alternative word for „Ebbe und Flut“? 3. The sea…
Religionen in Deutschland – Religions in Germany Posted by jan on Jan 9, 2012
At the end of the year 2011, I posted an article called „Some simple fatcs about Germany“. While doing the research for this article, I discovered some other interesting facts about Germany that I didn´t know before though I´m living here since I was born. One of them was about religions. For not being very…
German movies: Good-Bye Lenin! Posted by jan on Dec 20, 2011
Today I want to introduce a German movie to you that satirizes some aspects of the German Wiedervereinigung (reunion). The film is called Good-Bye Lenin and the story goes something like this: In 1989, Alex Kerner and his mother Christiane are living in East Berlin. Shortly before the Mauer (wall) falls, Alex`s Mother, who is…