Short and Sweet
Here you can find short blog posts (around 500 words) that provide an quick overview over a topic or a person. I do include links for further readings or viewings.
- 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. - Weather Lore in Germany: Hundstage
The hottest days of summer are called “dog days” in English and “Hundstage” in German. But it has nothing to do with dogs. - Cilly Aussem – The First German to Win Wimbledon
Cilly Aussem was a German tennis player in the 1920s and 30s and the first German to win Wimbledon. She won against fellow German Hilde Krahwinkel. - How to Celebrate Easter in Germany: Palm Sunday
Palmsonntag or Palm Sunday starts the Holy Week which ends with Easter Sunday. Some (German) customs around Palm Sunday include processions and Palmbuschen. - Melitta Bentz – Inventor of the Coffee Filter
Coffee wouldn’t be what it is today without Melitta Bentz. In 1908, the housewife from Dresden invented the coffee filter … and the rest is history! - Father’s Day in Germany
Father’s Day in Germany looks a lot different from Father’s Day in the US. First, it’s on Ascension Day in May, second, men go on hiking and/or drinking tours. - Louise Otto-Peters: Writer and Women’s Rights Activist
Louise Otto-Peters was a journalist and writer, an early women’s rights activist of the 19th century, and co-founder of the General German Women’s Association. - Biikebrennen – Bonfires in North Frisia on February 21st
On February 21st, North Frisians gather at the beaches to observe the traditional Biikebrennen – a giant bonfire to mark the beginning of whale hunting and fishing season, and the end of winter. - Internationale Grüne Woche (IGW) – Green Week in Berlin
The Internationale Grüne Woche Berlin (IGW) or Green Week has been an important agricultural convention since 1926. Read more about the history and why it’s called “green”. - Die Polente – German Police and Iconic Police Car
Die Polente is an older term for police but also describes a Citroën 2CV police car. Find out here why it’s called “Polente”. - Fliegenpilz – Poisonous Mushroom and Good Luck Symbol
Fliegenpilz, toadstool, fly agaric – that’s just some of the names the poisonous mushroom goes by. Where the name comes from and why it’s also a good luck symbol, you’ll find out here. - How To Make A German Eiskaffee
A German favorite during the summer: Eiskaffee. What sounds like an iced coffee is actually ice cream, cold brew, and whipped cream. Find out here how to make it. - Maria von Linden – First Woman to Receive the Title “Professor”
Maria von Linden was the first female student at the University of Tübingen, and the first woman to receive the title “Professor”. Read here about her research and struggles in academia. - 1888 – Das Dreikaiserjahr – The Year of the Three Emperors
1888 was the year when the German empire had three emperors: Kaiser Wilhelm I, Kaiser Friedrich III, and Kaiser Wilhelm II. Therefore it is called “Dreikaiserjahr”. - Lotte Reiniger – Silhouette Animation Pioneer
Lotte Reiniger, born in 1899, was a German film pioneer. She made the first feature length animated movie, using silhouette animation. - Who was … Otto Lilienthal?
Otto Lilienthal was a German flight pioneer in the late 19th century, and is known for his many flying apparatuses and gliders. - Dance Like a Chicken … Or a Duck? – Brief History of the Chicken Dance
Considering the chicken dance is staple of Oktoberfest celebrations in the US you would think it’s a German tradition. But the song is actually Swiss, and called “Ententanz.” - Münchhausen – Baron of Lies
Baron Münchhausen was a real person who lived in the 18th century and who told adventure stories for entertainment. So, why is he called the “Baron of Lies”? - Luise Hensel – Religious Poet and Caritas Worker
Luise Hensel wrote the poem “Müde bin ich, geh zur Ruh” that is now known as children’s prayer and lullaby. After writing her poetry in early life, she devoted the rest of her life to caritas work within the Catholic Church. - Paul Gerhardt: Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud’
“Geh’ aus, mein Herz und suche Freud'” (Go forth, my heart and seek delight) is a known and popular summer song. It was written by pastor and poet Paul Gerhardt in 1653. Take a listen. - A Life of Painting: Marie Ellenrieder
The first woman to be admitted to the Academy of Fine Arts of Munich, Marie Ellenrieder was a court painter and created religious art still admired today. - Day of the Stork – Storchentag in Haslach
On February 22nd, the town of Haslach celebrates Storchentag (Day of the Stork) to commemorate when the storks saved the city from vermin. - Rudolf Diesel and His Engine
Very short biography of Rudolf Diesel (1858-1913), inventor of the Diesel engine. Further resources and video included. - First Giveaway: Win “A Silent Death”
I’m holding my first giveaway. Find out how you can win one of three copies of Volker Kutscher’s “A Silent Death”, the books that inspired the series “Babylon Berlin”. - March 9th, 1152: Friedrich Barbarossa is Crowned King of Germany
On March 9th, 1152, Frederick I was crowned King of Germany. Read about the Aachen Cathedral and Friedrich Barbarossa. - Why International Women’s Day is on March 8th
International Women’s Day or Weltfrauentag is celebrated on March 8th. How was this date chosen and why? - Elisabeth Schwarzhaupt – First German Female Federal Minister
Elisabeth Schwarzhaupt was the first female Federal Minister of Germany. She was the Minister of Health from 1961 until 1966. - Stockbrot – Bread on a Stick
Stockbrot is a favorite at campfires, and it is exactly what you think it is: bread on a stick. Make your dough, wrap it around a stick, cook it over the fire. - Erntedankfest – Giving Thanks for the Harvest
Erntedankfest in Germany is a harvest festival where people give thanks for the harvest. It normally takes place on the first Sunday in October. Find out more about the customs around this holiday. - It’s Jeûne Genevois, so Eat Some Plum Cake!
Guess where plum or prune tart is eaten today? 🥮 It’s in Geneva, Switzerland for the yearly celebration of the Genevan Fast, Jeûne Genevois or Genfer Bettag. Unlike the Eidgenössische Dank-, Buss- und Bettag 🙏 in the rest of Switzerland which falls on the third Sunday in September, Jeûne Genevois is celebrated on the Thursday after the first Sunday in September. It is a holiday (in the Geneva canton), so all stores, banks, schools etc. are closed, no festivals, music events or other events take place. Traditionally a tarte aux pruneaux (plum cake or tart) is eaten on the Genevan… Read more: It’s Jeûne Genevois, so Eat Some Plum Cake!
