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Willkommen, Germanophiles!
If you want to know about the Germany that lies beyond schnitzel, bratwurst, lederhosen, sausage, and Oktoberfest, then you’ve come to right place.
I’m Anika, born and raised in Germany. I have been living in the US for 19 years. More about me and my journey here. While I am German, there are still many aspects of German culture that surprise me. I am happy to constantly find out new things about my home country, may it be about important people who were overlooked by history, inventions that I didn’t know were German, customs and traditions that are so specific to certain regions that I have never heard of them, or food that are local specialties that I haven’t had the chance to try.
Every week I spent many hours on research and writing interesting articles about Germany and its culture. If you like my work and would like to support me, you can do so by “buying me a coffee”. Just click on the blue “Buy me a coffee” icon.
To read my latest blog posts, you can go to “Blog”, click on the different menu items, and follow me via email. I also post many of my articles on instagram and facebook. On pinterest I collect many of the photos I use in my posts, and all the ones I couldn’t use due to space. 😉
If you have suggestions or questions, feel free to send me an email or contact me on instagram or facebook.
Danke! Thank you!
- Hedwig Courths-Mahler: Popular Romance Novelist
💘📚 Hedwig Courths-Mahler (1867-1950) was one of the most popular writers of the early 20th century. She published over 200 novels and novellas, mostly romance novels. Most of her stories featured a couple who had to overcome obstacles and differences in social status before they were joined in love and marriage. Hedwig Courths-Mahler ca 1900.… Read more: Hedwig Courths-Mahler: Popular Romance Novelist - The Bobby Car: For Kids and Adults
On February 5, 1972 the first Bobby Car was introduced at the toy convention in Nuremburg. It‘s a hard plastic car with a steering wheel and horn. Kids use their feet to propel themselves forward on this Rutschauto (scoot car). Pediatricians actually recommend it for youngsters who have problems with their hips. Soon after Ernst… Read more: The Bobby Car: For Kids and Adults - August Horch: Founder of Horch and Audi
August Horch was born on October 12, 1868, was a mechanical engineer and founder of the companies Horch and Audi. When working for Karl Benz in Mannheim, he invented the reverse gear for cars.After he left Benz, he founded his own company and build his own cars. In order to survive, Horch turned his company… Read more: August Horch: Founder of Horch and Audi - February 3: Saint Blaise and Blessing of the Throats
February 3 is the feast day of Saint Blaise. Saint Blaise (Heiliger Blasius) died a martyr in 316, is one of the 14 Nothelfer (Holy Helpers), and the Patron Saint of doctors, weavers, tailors. wool merchants, chandlers, tanners, and wind musicians. He is called upon for any throat diseases. Saint Blaise is also a patron… Read more: February 3: Saint Blaise and Blessing of the Throats - The Elephant Catastrophe of Munich
The Elephant Catastrophe (Elefantenkatastrophe) happened on July 31, 1888 in Munich. During a parade for the 100th birthday of Ludwig I, eight Indian elephants got spooked and created a mass panic. - Seven Snakes (and One Lizard) in Germany
There are seven snakes species living in Germany, all of which are protected, two of them are venomous. And then there is the “Blindschleiche”, a lizard often mistaken for a snake. - The Sad Story of the “Schneider von Ulm”
“Der Schneider von Ulm” (Tailor of Ulm) was a German tailor, inventor, and aviation pioneer. Unfortunately, his public flight in 1811 across the Danube ended with him plummeting into the river. However, it was not due to his inferior “flying machine”. - Henny Porten – Germany’s First Movie Star
Henny Porten was one of Germany’s first movie stars during the rise of the silent film industry. She also worked as a producer and made a successful transition to talking movies. - Things You Didn’t Know about Konrad Adenauer
Konrad Adenauer: lawyer, mayor of Cologne, and the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. These are the facts that most people know about him. Here are some things you might not know about him. - German Christmas Decorations: Fröbelstern (Nordic Star)
The Fröbelstern is a star folded from paper and one of many German Christmas decorations. In English, it’s called Nordic Star, German Star, or Froebel Star. - The Historic Ludwigseisenbahn: Germany’s First Steam Train
Germany’s first steam powered train was the “Ludwigsbahn” or “Ludwigseisenbahn” (Bavarian Ludwig Train), named after Bavarian King Ludwig I. It went from Nuremberg to Fürth for the first time on December 7, 1835. - German Christmas Songs: Leise rieselt der Schnee – Softly Falls the Snow
“Leise rieselt der Schnee” is a German Christmas song from 1895, written by Eduard Ebel. - National Day of Mourning – Volkstrauertag
Volkstrauertag in Germany is a National Day of Mourning commemorating the fallen soldiers and victims of wars. - Weather Lore in Germany: Altweibersommer
Unseasonably warm weather in fall along with colorful foliage is called “Altweibersommer” (old women’s summer) in German. Find out where the term comes from and the many other expressions this meteorological singularity goes by. - November 9 – Germany’s Fateful Date
November 9 is also called “Schicksalstag der Deutschen”, a fateful date in German history. Here is a short overview of the events that happened on November 9 in Germany. - Combining Mosaic Art and Public Housing in Vienna
Take a look at the mosaic art on the walls of three public housing buildings in Vienna. The pieces depicting fruits and vegetables can be found in the Hadikgasse 268-272.
