#DeutschlandNoFilter: The Germany Magazine of the Goethe-Institut

Bird's eye view of a coniferous forest. Some of the trees look diseased and broken.

Picture © mauritius images / Stephan Schulz

International Day of Forests The History of the German Forest

The forest has shaped German society for centuries: from the wood shortage of the Middle Ages, to the forest as a source of identity in the Romantic period, to the so-called "Waldsterben" of the 1980s.

The cover of the SKY Germany series “The Pass” shows the protagonists in a snow-covered forest

Picture Palace | Film Ice-Cold Hell

A dead body is found in the Alps, right on the border between Germany and Austria. Investigators from both countries work together to solve the murder – against their will. Cyrill Boss and Philipp Stennert present an outstanding work of Alpine noir with unexpected twists and turns and unique characters.

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'.

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.

The last apple in the neighbour's garden

Cherrypicker | Literature Living the world to its end

Crime writer Tommie Goerz has written his second novel outside of this genre. Set in the Franconian province, it tells of loss and transience in simple but precise language.

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: two people with empty speech bubbles

Word! The Language Column Desperate for something to talk about

Sharing silence is supposed to be a particularly strong bond. But perhaps many couples have simply run out of things to talk about. Luckily, Christiane Rösinger has some advice – and presents it in rhyme.

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.

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?

Culture

Cherrypicker | Literature 1945 – a chronicle

The year 1945 was a historical turning point. A non-fiction book by film-maker and author Volker Heise opens our eyes to the multitude of perspectives on this extremely eventful and momentous year.

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.

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.

Germany

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.

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.

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.