Notes on German Culture

Oberammergau Passion Play

  • Performed every 10 years.
  • Commemorates St. Martin's burial on November 11.

German Activities & Attractions

  • Oktoberfest is the biggest Beer Festival in the world, in Munich.
  • Attend Opera or Classical Concert.
  • Visit a Beer Hall or Beer Garden.
  • Walk through the Brandenburg Gate.
  • Go to a Traditional Wirtshaus.
  • Ski or Snowboard in the Alps.
  • Hike in the Black Forest.

Traditional Handicrafts

  • Germany is known for high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking, glassblowing, ceramics, textiles, and leatherwork.

Specific Handicrafts

  • Woodcarving (Cuckoo Clock).
  • Textile Crafts.
  • Glass Blowing.
  • Ceramics and Porcelain.
  • Leatherwork.

Traditional Clothing

  • Lederhosen: Historically connected to Bavarian culture, practical workwear for peasants and hunters, symbol of regional identity, associated with festivals like Oktoberfest.
  • Dirndl: Symbol of femininity, grace, and tradition, evolved from peasant wear to fashion, worn during festivals and special occasions.

Language and Art

  • German: Primary language, spoken by 95% of the population.
  • Albrecht Dürer: Greatest German Renaissance artist, known for oil painting, printmaking, engraving, and writing.
  • 18th and early 19th centuries: Paintings portrayed natural landscapes with mystical elements (e.g., Caspar David Friedrich’s “Wanderer above the Sea of Fog”).

Notable Art Pieces and Artists

  • Caspar David Friedrich:
    • “The Monk by the Sea” (1818)
  • Ernst Ludwig Kirchner:
    • “Street, Berlin” (1913)
  • Otto Dix:
    • “The War” (1929-1932)
  • Albrecht Dürer:
    • “Christ Among the Doctors” (1506)
    • “Rhinocerus” (1515)
  • Hans Holbein the Younger:
    • “The Ambassadors” (1533)

Customs and Etiquette

  • Respect for order and quiet hours.
  • Gift giving.
  • Greetings and politeness.
  • Sorting trash & recycling.

Fun Facts

  • 1,500 different types of beer, 300 types of bread, and 1,000 types of sausage.
  • In Bavaria, beer is considered a food.
  • Oktoberfest in Munich: biggest Beer Festival, standard glass is 1 liter.
  • To order 1 beer, show your thumb; for 2 beers, show your first finger.
  • One-third of Germany is covered in forests and woodlands.
  • Fanta was created in Germany during WWII.

Famous People

  • Albert Einstein (1879-1955).
  • Levi Strauss (1829-1902).
  • Karl Marx (1818-1883).
  • Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827).
  • Henri Nestlé (1814-1890).
  • Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1400-1468).

Historical Events

  • Charlemagne (800): Crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III; died in Aachen in 814; named “Father of Europe”.
  • Johannes Gutenberg (15th Century): Invented letter press printing with moveable type; first to print the Bible in Mainz (180 copies).
  • Martin Luther (16th Century): Published 95 theses in Wittenberg; translated the Bible into German.
  • First World War (1914-1918): Emperor Wilhelm II isolated Germany, leading to the war which cost nearly 15 million lives.