#DeutschlandNoFilter: The Germany Magazine of the Goethe-Institut

Various photographs on a blue background. Picture 1: Vintage picture of the escalator. Image 2: Bird's eye view of a platform crowded with people. Image 3: A subway sign with the U crossed out. Picture 4: A sign with a subway and several S-Bahn signs and the location 'Jungfernstieg'.

Graphic © Lena Maurer; picture alliance / Bildagentur-online/Joko | Bildagentur-online/Joko; picture alliance / imageBROKER | Karl-Heinz Spremberg; picture alliance / SvenSimon | SVEN SIMON; picture alliance/dpa | Bodo Marks

Everyday Life in Germany: Public Transport Edition The Germans and Public Transport

Different countries, different customs. Lena Maurer from South Tyrol talks about her little culture shock moments from everyday life in Germany. This time: Germans and public transport.

Giving vent to their feelings: elephants trumpet with excitement and arousal

Cherrypicker | Literature Failing in love

First he is a bullet, then a snowflake. A little later he is a CEO and shortly afterwards a Chihuahua. The ego in Michel Decar's love poem is multifaceted. The title of his book already hints at this.

Mary's Bridge in front of Neuschwanstein Castle

6 astonishing German law paragraphs Funny ex officio

In Germany, everything is clearly regulated – really everything. There are even rules about how you are allowed to walk on a bridge. Here are some of the most curious laws that can be found in German law books.

Illustration: Mobile device with the letters A, B, C

Word! The Language Column Please don't!

More and more people suffer from language allergies. Christiane Rösinger is one of them. Here she presents her little alphabet of disgusting words sometimes used in Germany.

Picture Palace Key Visual — Picture Palace

The latest news from the world of film as well as must-see German series and movies

Language

Illustration: Male person points to a board on which the words “Best Ager” can be read.

Word! The Language Column Old and older

Christiane Rösinger focuses on an unfortunately common form of linguistic discrimination today: ageism. How does this belittling of old people work? And why is it often associated with natural disasters?

Illustration: Two people looking at each other; each has an empty speech bubble

Word! The Language Column Small Talk – Better than its Reputation

What’s wrong with a light-hearted chat? Nothing, says Christiane Rösinger. In her opinion: Good small talk is entertaining and inspiring. A plea to get over our reluctance to talk.

All correct: According to the new rule, the apostrophe may be used to emphasise the proper name.

The Apostroph A much-debated little mark

The apostrophe continues to spark debates. But that’s over now: The Official Rules of German Orthography have clarified things. The former editor-in-chief of the leading German dictionary publisher breaks down the key points.

Culture

A daughter can be seen in the centre of the picture, her gaze both worried and determined. Behind her on the left edge of the picture, the mother appears to want to intervene verbally in the scene. The other sister can be seen on the right-hand edge of the picture.

Germany's Oscar Entry 2025 The Seed of Evil and Hope

Cannes winner “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” is shortlisted as Germany’s Oscar submission for Best International Film. The country could not have chosen a better film than the political parable by Iranian exile Mohammad Rasoulof.

Theodor-Heuss-Platz in Berlin-Charlottenburg at night. From 1904 to 1933 and from 1947 to 1963 it was called “Reichskanzlerplatz”..

Cherrypicker | Literature A Follower Novel

In her latest novel, Nora Bossong writes about the life of the convinced National Socialist Magda Goebbels, but from the perspective of a homosexual follower.

Indie Role-Playing Game From Just2D Drova and the Magdeburg Pixel World

From student project to gaming hit: “Drova” was a standout title in Germany’s gaming industry in 2024. A small team proves top-tier games aren't just made in big cities. A visit.

Germany

Autumnal vibes in the Siegerland region.

Detours | The Hauberg System A Forest for Everyone

Sustainable and communal forest management – in an era of forest dieback and climate change this sounds like just the innovation we need for the future. Yet this was already common practice in Germany’s Siegerland region in the sixteenth century.

The picture shows a close-up of postal voting documents.

Entitled to Vote in Germany ‘Vote’ if You Can!

Almost 30% of people in Germany will not be able to vote in the federal election in February 2025. Find out who is excluded from voting and why.

Passengers waiting for a train on a platform

5 unusual reasons for Deutsche Bahn delays “We apologise for any inconvenience”

The ultimate test of patience: a journey with Deutsche Bahn. Several million minutes of delays or so add up in a year. On the platform, people collectively flinch when the announcement chime sounds. All travelling professionals know that the display board is about to change – but what is the reason this time?

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.