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Modern Heritage: 20th Century Berlin Apartments Added to UNESCO List

UNESCO has added a group of six Berlin housing developments, all built from 1913 to 1934, to its World Heritage list, signaling a trend toward cultural recognition of modern landmarks. The structures include designs by architects Bruno Taut, Hans Scharoun and Walter Gropius.

Beautiful Life: Roving Through the Realms of Reality on Film

With "Realisms," the second part of the Hirshhorn Museum's ambitious exploration of moving-image art, the works of 19 artists, including Germans and artists based in Berlin, examine the role that cinema and related media play in complicating the distinction between fiction and reality in our lives.

Spot the Bus Winner Higgins: "Our Wonderful German Adventure"

The winner of of the Spot the Bus contest, DC resident Thomas Higgins, and his wife, Alice, have delivered a travel diary of their recent seven-day trip through Germany, organized by Germany — Land of Ideas and sponsored by BMW, that took them to Munich, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Cologne and Berlin.

Magical Jazz Evenings Enjoyed at German Embassy & Ambassador’s Residence

The first-ever outdoor concert at the German Embassy attracted a capacity crowd of over 300. The romantic atmosphere created by strings of lights, grilled brats, German beer, and the outstanding music of the German Academic All Stars jazz ensemble made for an enchanting evening.

Last Minute Goal Over Turkey Propels Germany to Euro 2008 Finals

Philipp Lahm scored a 90th-minute winner for Germany to beat Turkey 3-2 and reach the final of the European Championships in a semifinal thriller Wednesday in Basel. Germany will face the winner of today's Spain-Russia match on Sunday in the Championship match.

Germany Surprises Portugal, Advances to Euro Semis

The German national team pulled off a stunning upset over Portugal Thursday, beating the favored team 3-2 in the Euro 2008 quarterfinals in Basel. Germany now advances to the semifinals on June 25 in Basel, facing the winner of Croatia v. Turkey.

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner Remembered: Seventy Years after his Death

Provocative, lively, and colorful images became a trademark of the Expressionist artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, who died 70 years ago. The artist’s sensibility and physical and psychological disposition are reflected not only in his numerous paintings and drawings but also in his woodcuts and sculptures.

Lenka Reinerová, Oldest German-Speaking Author in Prague, Dead at 92

Lenka Reinerová devoted her life to preserving the German literary heritage in the Czech capital. In 2004 she played a major role in founding the "Prague House of German-speaking Literature." Earlier this year, her speech in memory of the victims of National Socialism was read out in the Bundestag.

SILVERDOCS: Embassy & GIC Sponsor Documentary Festival; Win Tickets

The German Embassy and the German Information Center USA are proud sponsors of SILVERDOCS, the AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival, taking place June 16-23 and featuring a number of German films. Take the special quiz for your chance to win tickets to closing-night screening.

Spot the Bus Winner Higgins Embarks on Prize Trip to Germany

The winner of of the Spot the Bus contest, Washington, DC, resident Thomas Higgins, has embarked on his Grand Prize, a seven-day trip through Germany, organized by Germany — Land of Ideas and sponsored by BMW. Higgins entered the contest on Germany.info.

Chamber Orchestra of Young German Philharmonic Performs at Embassy

A full house enjoyed the recent concert by the Chamber Orchestra of the Young German Philharmonic, presented by the Embassy and the Goethe Institut. The artists performed works by Brahms, Mozart, and a contemporary work by the American composer Charles Argersinger.

Munich Troupe Brings Traditional German Political Cabaret to US

The Münchner Lach- und Schiessgesellschaft entertained more than 300 guests in two sold-out performances at the German Embassy with their satirical and political cabaret program, “Extended: The Anniversary Program – 50 Years of Müncher Lach- und Schiessgesellschaft”.

Prehistoric Behemoth Makes Its Home in Trendy Berlin

Brachiosaurus brancai has been dead for 150 million years, but he remains impressive, towering nearly 43 feet over visitors to the Berlin Museum of Natural History. Special binoculars now allow the curious to see life-like images of the dinosaur moving about its environment.

Director Fatih Akin Sweeps German Film Awards with "The Edge of Heaven"

Director Fatih Akin can simply not stop winning awards. A winner at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival last year, his movie "The Edge of Heaven" (Auf der Anderen Seite) picked up four awards—best film, best director, best script and best editing—from the German Film Academy in Berlin.

Ambassador Scharioth, German-Americans Celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the First Germans in America at Jamestown and Williamsburg

The first German settlers in America arrived 400 years ago in Virginia, where a series of festive events from April 18-10 were held and Ambassador Scharioth unveiled a new National Park Service historic marker at the Jamestown Glasshouse before a cheering crowd of proud German-Americans.

"Encounters" Brings Israeli Culture to Berlin to Mark 60 Years of Israel

The city once central to the Holocaust is now hosting an array of Israeli artists and ensembles, including the Batsheva Dance Company, photographer Vardi Kahana, the Arab Orchestra of Nazareth, Naomi Yoeli with her "Tante Frieda" theater performance and actor Itay Tiran.

Germany Tops Global Popularity Poll by BBC

A BBC study shows that Germany has a better image abroad than any other large country in the world. According to the survey, the global view of Germany's influence is predominantly positive.

100th Anniversary of the Birth of Conductor Herbert von Karajan

He won three Grammy Awards, was perhaps the most recorded and filmed conductor in history, and led orchestras worldwide, including over 100 concerts in the United States, yet Karajan, born 100 years ago, remained a controversial figure.

Knut's Cute Cousins: Flocke Takes a Bath, Wilbär Makes His Debut

Flocke (Snowflake) is growing up fast - she has learned to gnaw on bones, playfight and drink milk from a bowl like big bears, all in the span of a few short weeks. Given her good health and great disposition, Flocke could make her first public appearance as soon as early April, according to the Nuremberg Zoo she calls home.

Apply for the International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS)

The International Parliamentary Scholarship combines an internship in the office of a Member of the German Bundestag with an academic program organized by Berlin’s three universities and the experience of being together with participants from 25 nations.

New Exhibit Examines the Dream-Like State Induced by Cinema

A new exhibit “Dreams,” the first part of the new moving-art exhibition by the Hirshhorn Museum, “Cinema Effect: Illusion, Reality and the Moving Image,” explores how cinema affects our perceptions of what is real and what is an illusion through works by range of influential and emerging international artists, including some from Germany.

US Music Fans Check in to Germany’s Tokio Hotel

After captivating audiences in Germany and Europe, boy band Tokio Hotel has now started to carve out a US fan base, attracting screaming young audiences and earning respectable reviews after performances at The Roxy in Los Angeles and The Fillmore in New York.

Germany & Nordic States Propose Viking Sites for UNESCO List

Germany, Iceland, Denmark and Sweden have teamed up to propose a number of Baltic Sea sites where Vikings moored their longboats and held off rivals as UNESCO world heritage sites. The German sites are a former Viking trading capital and a series of protective earthen walls.

Spotlight Shines on Berlin During International Film Festival

The Berlin International Film Festival, which draws top stars, film artists and cineastes, holds its own with Cannes and Venice, as most of the up to 400 films shown are making their world or European premieres. The Berlinale is also the world’s largest public film festival.

Heinrich Zille Filled Illustrations with Social Criticism and Humor

More than 150 years after his birth Heinrich Zille remains one of Berlin’s best-loved artists. His illustrations immortalized the life of the ordinary and downtrodden, with whom he was not afraid to rub shoulders. A new exhibit celebrates his work.

“Thank You” to Donors for Fraunkirche Dresden Restoration

The Society to Promote the Reconstruction of the Frauenkirche Dresden is saying “thank you” to supporters in the US and around the world who helped fund the restoration of the landmark baroque church destroyed by bombing in 1945.

Young Jewish Americans Encouraged to Explore Modern Germany via New Berlin-Based Cultural Program

The New Synagogue Berlin - Centrum Judaicum Foundation will receive some 1.1 million euros in funds to promote understanding and reinforce relations between German and American Jewish circles.

Fulbright Spring 2008 Seminar for US Teachers in Germany

Apply now for the Fulbright Spring Seminar for US Teachers in Germany, taking place from May 31 to June 21, 2008, administrated by the German-American Fulbright Commission in Berlin. The application deadline is January 15, 2008.

"A Brief, Intense Celebration" — Life of Artist Paula Modersohn-Becker

Paula Modersohn-Becker, who was able to sell only very few paintings during her lifetime, is now known as one of the most important German women artists of the 20th century. Several exhibitions are now examining her work, 100 years after her death.

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Culture & Life

Culture & Life