#DeutschlandNoFilter: The Germany Magazine of the Goethe-Institut

Interview with the podcast hosts of Ich lese was, was du auch liest "Someone Said We’d Eaten Mushrooms"

In their podcast, Martina and Fabienne discuss novels exclusively written by women and authors of color – sometimes over 1,000 pages long or featuring a recipe for fly agaric mushroom cake. In this interview, they share how it all began and what makes for a great discussion.

Interview with the podcast hosts of Berliner Zimmer "Several guests managed to lead us astray"

In the "Berliner Zimmer" podcast, Judith Gridl and Klaus Rathje invite authors to talk about literature - and to play a game of lies. In this interview, they talk about unusual stories, long follow-up conversations and who they would like to invite one day.

Benedikt Maria Arnold

Illustration (Detail): © Luisa Voita

Interview with the podcast hosts of blauschwarzberlin "We Want to Spotlight the Daring, the Unconventional"

In this interview, podcast hosts Ludwig and Maria-Christina talk about how their podcast came about from a late shift at the bookshop – and what fascinates them about literature beyond the mainstream.

Benedikt Maria Arnold

Illustration of various people. The front centre of the picture shows two people talking, microphones placed in front of them — Podcast Portraits

Three podcasts, one topic: we talk to the hosts and ask how it all began - and what motivates them.

Language

Hamburg Rathausmarkt: Participants in “Handmaidsriot” with an action against femicide

Word! The Language Column Cover-up Tactics

Linguistically smoothing over and glossing over unpleasant facts – this is achieved with the use of euphemism. Bettina Wilpert lifts the veil and asks what could be behind the euphemisms. Her advice is to look closely at the words. Especially with politically sensitive topics.

A blue-tinted photo shows police officers wearing hard hats, one of them holding a megaphone. On the right is the author of the language column Bettina Wilpert

Word! The Language Column Battle at the Frontline

War rhetoric is everywhere - whether in the media, politics or everyday life. Linguistically, too, we are currently arming ourselves. Bettina Wilpert calls for a conscious and careful use of language.

A blue-tinted photo shows protesters at a “Slut Walk” in Philadelphia in August 2011. Most appear to be female-presenting and are holding signs, one of which reads: “My ass is not a reason for assault.”

Word! The Language Column Prohibit? Appropriate? Reinvent?

Bettina Wilpert is not the only one to criticise the authoritarian language policy of the current US government. Because when terms disappear, many things can no longer be named. Sometimes, on the other hand, it is good when words are replaced. And where is it said that you can't invent new words?

Culture

Prefabricated buildings in the Hustadt district of Bochum

Cherrypicker | Literature Searching for Home in a Cold Country

The life of a young refugee can be harrowing and brutal. Behzad Karim Khani's latest novel is set in a German prefabricated housing estate in the 1990s. He illuminates this world with haunting precision and poetic language.

Cherrypicker | Literature Jigsaw puzzle with a mafioso

Jigsaw puzzles, funeral speeches, and a Mafia crown witness - Wolf Haas shows us how to fit all this and much more into a novel that is as tricky as it is amusing.

In front of a blurred backdrop of a shop counter and shelves stocked with groceries, Saba (Saffron Coomber) offers Samuel (Aaron Altaras) a fork with a meatball that resembles Königsberger Klopse – while the two gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes.

Die Zweiflers Jewish Delicacies

The award-winning series ‘Die Zweiflers’ tells the story of the life of a Jewish family in Frankfurt - witty, warm-hearted and exceptionally honest. A six-part series that plays with clichés without falling for them - while creating complex biographies.

Germany

The picture shows two women and a dish of rice and vegetables in the centre of the plate. The words 'Oseng Tempeh' are written above it in capital letters.

Comfort Food Storys: What Does Home Taste Like? Oseng Tempeh – Ochi from Indonesia

In the first episode of "Comfort Food Storys", Rachel meets Ochi from Indonesia. Together, they cook the Indonesian dish oseng tempeh.

Person in a pink bunny costume in a park

Five animals you wouldn't expect to find in German cities Really, they live here?!

Why are whales, wild dogs from Japan and parrots seen in Hamburg, Berlin or Cologne? It's simple: German cities are their new home!

Luftaufnahme: Man sieht einen grünen Waldstreifen, rechts und links davon ist Ackerfläche. Im Hintergrund sieht man einen See und Landschaft bei Sonnenuntergang

The Green Belt From Death Strip to Lifeline

For decades, nature was able to develop freely on the former border between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR). This area is now known as the 'Green Belt' and consists of a series of protected areas.

Illustration of several symbols: Windmill, bicycle, garbage, earth and thermometer

Sustainably Explained

Our climate and sustainability format provides information on the climate crisis and its links to Language, Culture and Germany.