German Life

The bears are awarded at Berlinale

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:49:32 GMT

The 62nd Berlinale International Film Festival concluded with its famed awards ceremony on February 18. The Golden Bear went to the Italian docu-drama “Caesar Must Die” (Cesare deve morire). Best actress went to 14-year-old Rachel Mwanza from the Democratic Republic of Congo, for her first film role in War Witch and the documentary “Call Me Kuchu”, about gay rights activists in Uganda, was awarded Best Documentary as part of the independent Teddy Awards.

European Fashion Award for 2012 targets sportswear

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:43:08 GMT

The European Fashion Award (FASH) is considered one of the most important fashion design newcomer awards in the world. This year the focus of the competition was on active wear. Winning designs came from young designers from across Europe, Latin America and Germany, with the yoga collection “We are”, taking first place.

The future of filmmaking explored

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 GMT

For the tenth edition of the Berlinale Talent Campus, 150 experts from all over the world will join the Campus to meet, talk, mentor and intensively coach 350 filmmakers from approximately 90 countries at the Hebbel Theater am Ufer between February 11-16, 2012. There are 18 participants from sub-Saharan Africa who will benefit from this tremendous experience.

The Berlinale bear hunt begins

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:23:12 GMT

Great international cinema in Berlin: at the 62nd International Film Festival (February 9-19) the German capital is once again expecting many famous actors, directors and film stars as guests from around the globe. Hollywood star Angelina Jolie, teen heartthrob Robert Pattinson and the two-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep, who will be awarded the Honorary Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement, are among the film celebrities at this year’s festival.

Berlin's Night of Museums fetes Frederick the Great

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:20:38 GMT

Berlin's 30th Long Night of Museums was held on January 28 with a focus on Frederick the Great's 300th birthday. Some 70 museums in the German capital opened their doors to the public from 6 pm onwards to 2 am on January 29.

Must-See 3-D: Wim Wenders' 'Pina' gets Oscar nod

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:49:51 GMT

Wim Wenders' visually arresting tribute to German dance legend Pina Bausch has been nominated for an Academy Award.

Berlin Chic

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:55:22 GMT

From January 17-22, 2012 the German capital is once again transforming itself into a major fashion centre and the meeting place for both designers and the international fashion industry. The Berlin Fashion Week features Bread & Butter, the three-day fashion fair at the former Tempelhof Airport, and the catwalk shows in front of the Brandenburg Gate, where collections for autumn/winter 2012/2013 are being displayed.

Germany 2012: four events in a tour of discovery

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:46:17 GMT

As the new year begins, its not a bad time to consider possible holidays for the warmer European months ahead. Take a peek at four events taking place in Germany during 2012, including the big 775th birthday bash of the nation's dynamic capital Berlin.

Making European identity tangible

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:01:34 GMT

The values of freedom, democracy, cultural diversity, tolerance and solidarity are shared values of the European Union. A new programme, the European Heritage Label, is designed to strengthen EU citizens’ sense of a common bond and identity by recognizing sites that have played a significant role in European integration or stand for the ideals and history of Europe and the European Union.

Support for couples researching in Germany

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:33:13 GMT

Though salary and prestige are always important considerations when selecting a new job, for many, family is just as important. Many universities want to make the decision to work in Germany easier for researchers and academics with “dual career offices.” These offices—designed to make the transition for new researchers and academics working in Germany easier— help the spouses and partners of job candidates find career opportunities in their fields.

Spring Revolutions, Summer Fairy Tales and Papal Visits - That Was 2011

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:28:16 GMT

Which subjects became topics of conversation during the past 12 months? It's time to look back - on 11 events and people that will long be remembered.

International Jury for Berlinale 2012 announced

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:17:10 GMT

Renowned British filmmaker Mike Leigh will serve as Jury President for the Berlin International Film Festival 2012. Iranian director and screenwriter Asghar Farhadi, Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal and five more accomplished film professionals will also be on the International Jury. The group will decide who will receive the Golden Bear and Silver Bears as well as the Alfred Bauer Prize of the 2012 Berlinale Competition.

Nowitzki and Neuner are Germany's Sports Personalities of 2011

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:05:33 GMT

German basketball star Dirk Nowitzki and winter sport biathlete Magdalena Neuner were selected as the German Sports personalities of the year for 2011 on December 18 in Baden-Baden. The award recognizes achievement as well as the athlete's character as an ambassador for the game they play.

Hiking in Germany

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:25:12 GMT

Hiking is in. Around 34 million Germans go hiking in their free time. And that is no coincidence, because Germany has an excellent infrastructure for hiking with just less than 200,000 km of fully-developed paths leading through various landscapes, some of them quite spectacular.

Germany’s Michelin Stars highlight gastronomic excellence

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:23:35 GMT

Say “German food" and many people will automatically think of würste, sauerkraut, spätzle, or perhaps even döner kebab. But as the country with second most Michelin star-rated restaurants in Europe, Germany is increasingly becoming known as a destination for gourmet dining, satisfying even the fussiest Feinschmecker (gourmet).

Weimar has the best international university in Germany

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:57:40 GMT

The Bauhaus University in Weimar, Thuringia, describes itself as being eager to experiment, open and creative, and it seeks proximity to industrial practice. But now, it can also boast the title of "best international university 2011" in Germany.

Germany back on the World Heritage Committee

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:10:25 GMT

Germany has once more been elected to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee after a break of 14 years. Among other things, this body decides which sites are inscribed on the World Heritage List. The election was “recognition of all Germany is doing to preserve World Heritage sites not only in Germany but also around the world”, stated Minister of State Cornelia Pieper after the vote in Paris.

Berlin transforms into the shining city

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:32:56 GMT

Berlin will once again be bathed in a sea of light from October 12 to 23, 2011 as the city holds the 7th Festival of Lights. More than 70 famous landmarks, buildings, squares and streets sparkle with stunning illuminations, including Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Cathedral, the Brandenburg Gate, the Gendarmenmarkt and the television tower.

German Book Prize winner announced as 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair opens

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:16:26 GMT

By presenting the German Book Prize 2011, the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels Stiftung honours the best German-language novel of the year to coincide with the start of the Frankfurt Book Fair. The Fair is a key meeting place for the international publishing sector and begins on October 12. This year's fair focuses on “The Mind Network” and investigating the increase in digitalization and innovative technologies in the world of books.

Frankfurt Book Fair 2011 takes on the many sides of content

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:52:52 GMT

The world’s largest gathering of the publishing industry, the Frankfurt Book Fair, will begin on October 12 in Germany's financial centre Frankfurt am Main. The fair's organizers are expecting some 7,500 exhibitors from 110 countries, as well as 280,000 visitors. The winner of German Book Prize will also be announced shortly before the start of the Fair.