Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Kolkata
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Photo: Sharanya Chattopadhyay
The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institution operational worldwide. The Goethe-Institut in Kolkata (founded in 1957), like all the other institutes in India, is also known as Max Mueller Bhavan – in honour of Max Müller (1823-1900), a scholar of comparative religion and co-founder of modern Indian studies.
The institute organizes and promotes a wide spectrum of cultural events in Kolkata and other north eastern Indian cities. The focus of the cultural program is to bring together Indian and German artists and intellectuals, present contemporary German culture and foster Indo-German and European cooperation. It also promotes discussions on social and development policy, as well as social issues that are relevant in India and Europe. The artistic and reflexive programs and projects are developed in close cooperation with Indian partner institutions. Since January 2004, the Goethe-Institut Kolkata has housed the South Asia film archive, which loans German films to interested institutions in India and in the neighbouring countries.
The Goethe-Institut Kolkata offers language courses and internationally recognized examinations for all levels. It is also a teachers’ training institute, conducts workshops and seminars on teaching German as a foreign language and supports institutions offering language courses in the eastern region. Our vast network comprises currently over 80 schools and institutions that offer German in their curriculum.
The Goethe-Institut’s library provides information about cultural, political and social life in Germany. Over 5.500 books, DVDs, CDs and magazines in German and English are on display and some can be borrowed by members of our library. The library also provides learning aids for students enrolled in our German-courses.
