Vibrant Nation of Culture

Germany’s reputation as a major cultural nation is based on great literary figures such as Goethe, Schiller and Thomas Mann, and famous composers such as Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Yet contemporary authors like Juli Zeh, Carolin Emcke and Navid Kermani and musicians like Robin Schulz, Zoe Wees and Milky Chance are keeping Germany’s cultural life in the public eye around the world. 

In recent years, young artists and creators from migrant backgrounds have made a particular contribution, opening up new perspectives through their work and enriching the cultural landscape. The work taking place at the Maxim Gorki Theatre in Berlin Berlin Once a year, during the Berlinale film festival, the world of the silver screen focuses its attention on Berlin. And the city’s inhabitants are used to global interest. After all, the people of Berlin have lived in a capital city since 1458. However, there is also a shady side to the city’s history… Read more › is a prime example of this, whose director, Shermin Langhoff, has coined the term “postmigrant theatre”. A strong postmigrant current is also underway in the world of literature, represented by writers like Nino Haratischwili, Abbas Khider and Saša Stanišić. 

Germany’s federal structure also contributes to the richness and diversity of the country’s cultural landscape. Since its foundation in 1949 and reunification in 1990, the Federal Republic has consciously drawn on its federal traditions and handed over responsibility for culture to the states. In the past, Germany was made up of many free cities and small and me­dium-sized states. One remnant of this former structure are the 140 or so city and state theatres, 200 private theatres and 130 professional orchestras Orchestras There are around 130 German professional orchestras, first and foremost among them the Berlin- Philharmonic, the Berlin Staatskapelle,  the Gewandhausorchester, the Bamberg Symphonic and the Munich Philharmonic Read more › , some of which are connected to public broadcasters. Over 7,200 museums and exhib­ition halls make up an unparalleled museum sector. In addition there are world-famous cultural events across the whole country. These include Berlin Berlin Once a year, during the Berlinale film festival, the world of the silver screen focuses its attention on Berlin. And the city’s inhabitants are used to global interest. After all, the people of Berlin have lived in a capital city since 1458. However, there is also a shady side to the city’s history… Read more › ’s international film festival, the Berlinale, the Bayreuth Festival, the Frankfurt Book Fair Frankfurt Book Fair The International Frankfurt Book Fair has taken place every autumn since 1949 and is the outstanding annual international book trade get-together. The highpoint of every book fair is the award-giving ceremony for the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, which has been won by the likes of Margaret… Read more › and Rock am Ring. 

Germany’s cultural and creative economy is one of its most innovative sectors. accounting for just under 3% of GDP in 2020. The Federal Government Federal Government The Federal Government and cabinet is made up of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. While the Chancellor holds the power to issue directives, the ministers have departmental powers, meaning that they independently run their respective ministries in the framework of those directives… Read more › is keen to boost the creative and cultural economy, and has expanded funding and financing tools to this end.

Foreign cultural and educational policy is a high priority for Germany. Alongside classical diplomacy and foreign economic policy Economic policy In line with the federal system, structuring and coordinating economic and financial policy is the joint task of central government, the federal states and munici­palities. They cooperate in various committees. Furthermore, the Federal Government seeks the advice of independent economists. Every… Read more › , it forms a core element of the foreign policy spectrum. Through dialogue between people and civil society, it facilitates discussions in what Germans call “pre-political spaces”. This creates opportunities to improve mutual comprehension. It allows conflicts and crises to be defused, and a basis for discussion persists even during periods of political instability. One way this basis can make a difference is by helping at-risk artists and creative individuals to find refuge in Germany or a third country through one of the protection programmes run by the Federal Foreign Office, where they can then continue their work supported by scholarships. Foreign cultural and educational policy is also responsible for restoring and preserving significant buildings and items of global cultural heri­tage and promoting the German language abroad. Through its funding for translations, the Federal Foreign Office is also committed to ensuring that Germany’s cultural diversity is available to 
international audiences.

Just under 15.5 million people around the world are currently learning German. The majority are in Europe, but increasing numbers of learners are in Africa and Asia. Germany’s strong economy and the demand for skilled workers, accompanied by its high-quality higher education system, make learning German a very attractive option. The Goethe-Institut’s 158 offices in 98 countries provide a gateway to Germany’s language and culture.