illustrations: Berk Karaoglu.
Berlin is often thought of as a capital of individualists, and its inclusivity is something we’re grateful for every day. But as many of us Ausländers know, the idea of having to integrate into life in Germany is still very much preached by some institutions, and its principles are accordingly taught in special courses. Obviously, the western mindset of molding unique people into perfect(ly boring) citizens is inherently flawed and we can do better. But why not have a little laugh as we’re striving for social change? We’ve put our own spin on the integration process, and present you with our iHeartBerlin Guide to German Integration that will finally let you fully immerse yourself into life in Berlin!
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by Michalina | Stories
illustrations: Berk Karaoglu
It seems to be true for most relationships that after three years you get to notice things about your loved one that you’re just not very much into. And as I find, it’s no different after you’ve lived in a country for this period of time. Germany’s love for rules becomes apparent once you arrive at the airport and notice the line you’re supposed to stand behind while waiting for your suitcase to show up. Once you leave the airport, it may gradually start to dawn on you why is love sometimes synonymous with obsession.
We have chosen 10 German words that come from the field of bureaucracy. Chances are you don’t want to know them, but here there are anyway. You’ll thank us later.
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by Michalina | Stories
There will be a lot of people who will not go to vote on Sunday. For those, who are wondering “For What?” right now, let me remind you that on the 24th of September the national elections 2017 will take place. It is true that there is a myriad of legitimate-sounding arguments against bothering to care about it.
Granted, the results will not have tremendous consequences on an international level, like e.g. the American elections for the presidency. The local character of such elections creates, thus, to quite a few people a sense of exhaustion and indifference, which leaves them wondering what the point of it all is.
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by Nikos | Stories
Humor is unique and universal at the same time. One of the perks of laughing besides being, well good, is its ability to unite people and nations. You could probably say that most cultures have some similar funny bones. At least we all can always agree to laugh about something, like physical comedy. Of course there are also things that maybe some cultures would laugh about more than others – because they know where the jokes emerge from. This is where humor get’s lost in translation. Read on…
by Yasmin | Stories, Videos
artwork by Olaf Hajek
Last weekend a very interesting exhibition opened at Direktorenhaus. As the name suggests Handmade in Germany focuses on design and art made in Germany and feature the work of designers such as Fiona Bennet and Bless, artists like Olaf Hajek and Andreas Maier, product designers such as Valentin Loellmann and Sarah Böttger, German manufactures like Deutsche Werkstätte Hellerau and Fürstenberg, as well as many more. I think it’s a really nice showcase of German craftsmanship worth seeing. The exhibition is on display until November 14th 2012. Get a preview of the featured art, design and their makers after the jump.
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by Frank | Art
