14 Fascinating Aspects to Appreciate German Culture

Why learn about German Culture?

Do you know that Germany has nearly 8.32 crores population in 2021? Official statistics show that record migration contributed to the increase in the population of the largest nation in the European Union. According to Thursday’s data by the Federal Statistical Office, often known as Destatis, Germany’s population reached a new high of 84.3 million in 2022, mainly due to record net immigration.

 

It is the EU’s most prominent member state for several reasons. The primary reason among them is the continent’s largest economy. Its extensive and eventful past has shaped European and global history. This cultural country is full of various faiths, practices, and traditions. it currently encompasses a vivid ethnic group.

Whether organizing a study or work-related relocation to Germany, an excursion to explore the country, or anything else, having some knowledge of German culture is always advantageous. Cultural differences readily precipitate miscommunication. Conversely, an acquaintance with fundamental German customs and traditions may enrich one’s vacation in a foreign nation.

 

Here is an overview of all the aspects and facts about Germany that will help you appreciate the country better –

1. Geographical Facts about Germany

Germany( Federal Republic of Germany) is a central country in Western Europe. It shares borders with nine nations: the Netherlands, 

France, 

Luxembourg, 

Poland, 

Czech Republic, 

Austria,

Switzerland. 

In comparison, no other European country has this many.

Germany has a variety of landscapes with flat lands in the north and mountains and valleys with rivers in the central and southern parts. In the north, Germany’s landscape stretches out to the two major seas – the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

 

On the other hand, the southern part of Germany has the Alps with Zugspitze in Bavaria as its highest peak of 2,692 meters.

2. Political Facts about Germany

Germany operates under a federal democratic system characterized by robust political parties, an autonomous judiciary, and a strong executive branch.

• • As the capital, Berlin possesses central federal authority that, when necessary, can extend beyond regional boundaries.
  • The United States is one of the largest counties with sixteen states. Here, the local and regional governments are responsible for a distinct set of duties.
  • • The Constitution, or The Basic Law, is the foundation for all laws. German citizens choose Bundestag to vote for the president of the country.

  • • Nevertheless, the Chancellor holds the highest position of authority. The position of the chancellor: head of government. They are selected with the President’s approval and the Bundestag’s support.

      The German Bundestag and Bundesrat are formidable branches of parliament.

3. German History

The country’s significant history heavily influences German culture. Kings and Dukes ruled early Germany which was majorly small patches of land. In the year 1871, a politician named Otto Van Bismarck united the country with power and force.

Germany & World Wars –

The Germans invaded various Asian and African nations at the beginning of the nineteenth century. World War I broke out in 1914 because of this. In 1918, they were vanquished by the United States, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union.

 

After joining the German Workers’ Party, which later became the Nazi Party, Hitler began his ascent to power. He rose to the position of leader quickly thanks to his persuasive speeches and propaganda. Their primary goal was to restore Germany’s pride. So, they started World War 2 In 1939, by invading Poland.

Germany Post-World War –

Moreover, they established Concentration camps across Germany during the war. And millions of Jewish people were exterminated in those camps. At last, after a long battle and sacrifices Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party were defeated in 1945.

 

Germany was in disarray after World War II and divided into two nations. It was completed to establish North and West Germany. Under communist rule, the financial situation of East Germany deteriorated. As a result, West Germany bounced back. And eventually became Europe’s wealthiest nation.

 

Germany entered the Cold War due to the impasse between the Soviet Union and the Western world. In 1989, the German people agreed to terminate the protracted Cold War. It occurred exclusively after East Germany reopened its borders. Concurrent with the modernization of East Germany was the reunification of Germany and the expenditure of billions of dollars.

4. German Clothing

Nowadays, Germans like to dress in smart casuals preferably in dark or neutral colors. However, observing the traditional way of dressing can give one a great insight into German culture. Clothing can be a way of expressing one’s customs and traditions.

 

The traditional clothing in Germany is the popular Lederhosen for men and Dirndl for women. They were chiefly influenced by the region of the Bavarian Alpines.

Traditional Men’s Clothing –

Early German customs dictated that working-class males, particularly those engaged in agricultural and manual labor, should don Lederhosen. It consists of knitted stockings, leather sandals known as haferl, knee-length leather trousers worn over a shirt and an additional pair of haferl. A traditional Alpine wool or warm felt cap complements the ensemble.

Traditional Women’s Clothing –

Dirndl, in the early German traditions of the 19^th century, was the standard uniform of the servant girls. It can be described as a ruffled apron dress made up of a low-cut and puff-sleeved bodice, pinafore, and a full skirt. The women wear buckled soft felt shoes along with the attire.

These clothes are now predominantly worn during the grand celebrations of festivals in Germany.

5. Religions in Germany

Christianity holds a special place in the hearts of about two-thirds of the people in Germany. It creates a unique blend of traditions in this multicultural nation. The community is evenly split between Catholics and Protestants. It adds diversity to the religious landscape. Amidst the tapestry of beliefs, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and other minority faiths also find a home in Germany.

 

What’s intriguing is that nearly a third of Germans identify as atheists.

6. German Art

Though French and Italian art mostly overshadows it, German art has great significance in the story of European art.

Evolution of German Art –

Landscape art, Northern Mannerism, and the Bauhaus are just a few of the groundbreaking creative styles that had their roots in Germany. Expressionism, sometimes called Modern Art, was the most well-liked school, nonetheless.

The belief that feelings and ideas should be the wellspring of inspiration gave rise to it in the 20th century. Some renowned German artists who joined this are 

• • • Paul Klee
    • Albrecht Dürer, 
    • Gerhard Richter.

German Art Museums –

German culture and its illustrious heritage are reflected in the artwork of numerous museums located throughout the country. Probably, it would require considerable time to visit each of them. However, if you desire to explore German culture through their art, the following art galleries are essential visits:

 

• • • Museum Island, Berlin
    • Pinakothek Museums in Munich
    • Städel in Frankfurt
    • Museum Ludwig in Cologne
    • Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden

 

The art of designing has been implemented through different trends such as Carolingian to Medieval Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and the Neo-Classical and Neo-Renaissance. The architecture of Germany displays this beautifully.

German Architecture

Germany is a country of architecture. The rich history and developments of eras in Germany have played a major role in the development of architecture. Influenced by the same, German architecture has many distinct types.

 

The cities of Berlin, Munich, and Cologne show you the various architectural design trends such as Carolingian to Medieval Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and the Neo-Classical and Neo-Renaissance.

Named after the movement and school of art, the Bauhaus style of design is the most modern trend in Germany as well as the rest of the world.

 

On the other hand, Low German Houses and High German Houses are two distinct types of German housing found in rural areas. Traveling across the nation, you can see the different styles. Gothic brick houses are common in northern Germany, but Bavarian architecture is more common in the south.

 

The two primary concepts of traditional German architecture are the half-timbered houses and the beautiful Bavarian castles. Brick masonry with sand and limestone, topped with asphalt roof tiles, is the foundation of contemporary buildings, in contrast to traditional buildings composed of brick with timber.

German Literature

Germans are obsessed with reading. This has been ingrained in them since childhood and the reason can be seen in the development of their literature through different eras. Unlike France and England, early German literature suffered from fragmentation and discontinuity due to the changing circumstances of the nation. We can also see this in German history and politics.

Evolution of German Literature –

Throughout German literature, three distinct periods stand out:
The Middle Ages (c.1160–c.1230),
The flourishing 18th and 19th centuries (the Goethe age),
The transition period from the 19th to the 20th century.

These three ages played a catalyst in German history.
The Middle Ages were characterized by poetry and folktales. However, popular in the 18th century, the Sturm und Drang genre was crucial in developing German literature.

This style was a reflection of the people’s proto-romantic mood and feelings. The nineteenth century saw the rise of Classical German literature, Romanticism, and Classicism.

Many German writers have left indelible marks on German literature’s history, including
Thomas Mann,
Erich Maria Remarque,
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

 

An additional noteworthy fact pertains to the development of periodicals, which originated in Germany in 1663.

Present-Day German Literature –

These days, the famous literature of Germany revolves mostly around the Nazi party rule explored in different genres.

One of the most popular festivals celebrated in Germany is “Frankfurt’s Book Festival”. This festival is indeed one of its kind and the largest in the world.

German Food and Drinks

If you ask anybody about what Germans love to consume, they will tell you bread, potatoes, meat (especially pork), and tons of beer. This stereotype is particularly true for Germans. The traditional food and drink habits of the nation reflect the rich German customs and German traditions.

German Food –

Though the cuisine differs according to the region, traditional German food stays true to its hearty meals of meat served with sauce, potatoes, vegetables, and bread. As a result of the wars in the country, the techniques of preserving food through salting, smoking, curing, or pickling is still widely used. Along with the staple meals, Germans often enjoy the combination of coffee and cake also referred to as Kaffee und Kuchen.

Some of the most popular dishes are –

• • • Currywurst – a steamed pork sausage served with chips and curry ketchup.
    • Brot & Brötchen – bread in the form of a loaf is called Brot and bread as crusty rolls are called Brötchen. Bread is one of the key symbols of Germany and has over 17,000 bakers making 300 different styles of bread.
    • Käsespätzle – similar to macaroni and cheese, this dish is a composition of layers of Spätzle pasta with grated cheese and topped with fried onion.
    • Schnitzel – A fried piece of meat that is tenderized and coated with eggs, flour, and breadcrumbs.
    • Brezel – the German term for pretzel.
    • Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte – a rich Black Forest Gateaux.

German Beverages –

Germans enjoy a wide range of drinks whether it be at mealtime or otherwise. However, the most popular drinks are coffee and beer.

Coffee –

Coffee, also known as Kaffee in German, is consumed mostly before or after major meals. As mentioned above, coffee is popularly indulged with a slice of cake (preferably the Black Forest Gateaux) post-lunch.

Beer –

Not only is the world’s oldest brewery located in Germany, but the country also ranks third in Europe for people who consume beer. In contrast, the Beer Purity Law of 1516 led to a surge in beer’s popularity. According to this rule, Barley, hops, yeast, and water are the only ingredients that beer must include.

 

With more than five thousand different beer brands, the Germans must have nailed the brewing process. The prominence of beer in numerous German traditions and rituals highlights the importance of this alcoholic beverage. An intriguing aspect of German culture and way of life is the pervasiveness of beer, which has gone beyond mere popularity.

German Music

The development of German music has significantly impacted both German and global culture. Currently, the most popular musical styles in Germany are rock and pop. The largest rock festivals in the world are held in Germany. However, Germany’s musical journey is truly remarkable.

Evolution of German Music –

• • • Germany defined Classical music through the famous 3 B’s – Beethoven, Bach, and Brahms. Starting in the 16^th century, Classical music enjoyed a range of hundreds of years. People across Germany as well as all over the world still enjoy listening to it.
    • During the World Wars, Cabaret and Swing music gained popularity as people demanded fun and entertaining music.
    • Although been around since the early 20^th century, Schlager music became household music in the 1960s and 1970s. It is a combination of German folk music with pop-rock and ballad elements.
    • Schlager made pop music famous. This further took another turn towards the popularisation of New Wave Pop music. This New Wave movement made German music reach English-speaking countries.
    • As a result of this, electronic and techno music was also introduced in Germany. This development led to the rise of hip-hop in the country.

German Festivals and Celebrations

German festivals are an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in the country’s culture. There are plenty of chances to participate in any of the more than 10,000 events that occur annually.

 

Carnival kicks off the celebrations in January, while Christmas and New Year’s end the year. Regardless, the Germans make a spectacle out of any situation.

Oktoberfest – The Most Popular Festival

Though every festival is important, Oktoberfest is the most popular German festival all over the world. Held in Munich for 14 to 18 days in late September to early October, over six billion people visit the city to drink at the beer festival. Everybody dresses up and has a ball with tons of beer, delicious food, thrilling amusement rides, and dance to Bavarian music.

 

Similarly, there are many other cultural, film, music, historical, and seasonal festivals celebrated all year round. Germans also celebrate private events like weddings as well as funerals with equal grandeur.  

German Sports

There are a lot of popular sports in Germany. So it becomes difficult to choose just one. But among Germans, soccer is the most favorite and popular. This is a top-tier German professional league where these clubs compete. 

 

In addition to 2014’s World Cup and 1996’s European Football Championship, the national squad has won the title multiple times. The country’s prominence in the automotive industry mirrors the German appetite for motorsports. Handball, ice hockey, and skiing are among the other sports Germans enjoy.

People of Germany

Germans are very culturally diverse due to their long history of fragmentation. Yet they remain true to the basic German stereotypes known.

To name a few of their characteristics –

• • • Germans are very particular about being punctual.
    • They have a very strong connection to their families and believe in a sense of community.
    • In Germany, people don’t entertain small talk. Instead, they are very direct and talk to the point.
    • Germans respect rules, structure, and organization.
    • One of the infamous stereotypes is that Germans are distant and cold. This, however, is a myth and is a result of misunderstanding their strong respect for one’s personal space.

German Languages

Language ties the diverse population together, with 95% of Germans able to converse in German, making it the de jure language. Minority languages like Sorbian and North Frisian, spoken by a small percentage of the population, add linguistic diversity. Moreover, many Germans are bilingual, further enriching the linguistic tapestry with Danish, Romani, and Frisian.

 

Besides, they can speak Danish, Sorbian, Romani, and Frisian languages.

Significance of German Language –

Fascinatingly, Germans are quite guarded about their language to preserve German culture. Therefore, filmmakers hire local artists to dub it into German if a foreign film gets released in Germany.

 

 Among EU member states German is the most widely spoken language.

Learning the German language can provide numerous benefits. whether you are a student, a working professional, or simply visiting Germany for personal exploration, Germany will open many career opportunities. This is why you can find many online German language courses.

Recommended Courses –

Henry Harvin Language Academy – German Language Course

The reputed platform of Henry Harvin Academy offers a German Language Course designed to help you learn and master the language through lexis, topics, and grammatical concepts. The course covers Advanced German Language Grammar.

 

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to understand the basics of building words and sentences as well as confidently initiate conversations.

Fees and Duration

Why Choose Henry Harvin Language Academy for Learning the German Language?

The splendid provision of a 9-in-1 course can be reason alone to choose Henry Harvin for this course.

• • • The academy conducts training as live online interactive sessions.
    • They provide opportunities to undertake projects in the German language and implement them practically.
    • You will receive a certificate of German Language Training Course from Henry Harvin Academy on successful completion of the course. In fact, this certificate has recognition from the Govt. of India.
    • The academy provides a guarantee of 100% placement for both internships as well as jobs for 1-year after completion of the course.
    • Through E-learning facilities, you will get access to many tools and techniques, video content, assessments, etc.
    • Along with learning facilities, you also get access to 52+ masterclass sessions required to hone your soft skills.
    • Additionally, the opportunity to attend various #AskHenry sessions and Hackathons is provided.
    • Moreover, you gain a free 1-year Gold membership of Henry Harvin® Language Academy for the German language training course.

 

This course is also available in cities like Agra, Bhopal, Chennai, Faridabad, Indore, Mysore, Patna, and Surat.

Similar Courses –

• • • French Language Course
    • Portuguese Language Course
    • Spanish Language Course
    • Russian Language Course
    • Italian Language Course

Conclusion

People also refer to the country with different names in various languages. For example, it is called Deutschland in Germany itself, Germania in Latin, I’Allemagne in French, and Almanya in Turkish. However you wish to address it, its history, people, customs, and traditions are indeed what makes German culture unique.

 

Understanding German traditions can help you perceive the country better. Nevertheless, it is fascinating to learn the tremendous contributions that Germany has made to the world of art, literature, music, and world history.

Recommended Reads –

• • • Complete Guide to Study German Languages Basics
    • How to Learn the German Language
    • Top 10 German Language Courses Online: 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Is Germany expensive to live in?

Ans. With an average requirement of approximately 934 Euros per month, the cost of living is not as expensive compared to other European countries.

Q.2 Do Germans speak English?

Ans. Approximately 56 percent of Germans can communicate in English. More and more individuals are choosing to study English now because of its increasing popularity as a global business language.

Q.3 Which German city would you recommend to a foreigner?

Ans. Berlin is the most friendly place in Germany. The world knows the German capital for its warm hospitality and vivid culture. Moreover, it has more job openings than any other city in the country.

Q.4. What is Germany’s lifestyle?

Ans. Germans are mostly known to be private people in their routine lives. But they turn out to be very social when needed, especially during the celebration of festivals.

Q.5 5. What is German culture influenced by?

Ans. German history, artists, writers, and philosophers have majorly influenced German culture. This is also why Germany is known as the “Land of Poets and Thinkers”.