Latest in Culture Highlight
Latest in Culture
Why Carnival screwed up Michael Verhoeven’s filmmaking debut in 1967
He was this year’s guest of honor at the Max Ophüls Prize Film Festival. The German director tells DW why his own film debut, 50 years ago, was initially a nightmare.His film “The Nasty Girl” was nominated for an Oscar in 1991 as the German entry for best foreign language film. His 1982 feature “The …
Trump’s travel ban could ‘impact international cultural exchange’
German-Iranian artists like writer Navid Kermani and actress Jasmin Tabatabai are impacted by the new US travel restrictions. Germany’s top cultural institution, the Deutscher Kulturrat, has criticized the ban.”We are shocked and deeply concerned by the developments in the United States,” Olaf Zimmermann, the head of Germany’s association of cultural institutions, the Deutscher Kulturrat, said …
‘A German Life’ film met Goebbels’ secretary
Many decades ago, Brunhilde Pomsel was Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels’ personal stenographer. She has passed away at age 106. She had recently agreed to be interviewed for the film “A German Life.””Ein deutsches Leben” (A German Life) is a German film in which four directors interview a memorable contemporary witness: Brunhilde Pomsel, who was …
“The Egg Man:” Egypt’s first philosophical comic book blends sarcasm and realism
“Heroes who exist nowadays are considered new kinds of drugs or narcotics, tools to calm people down and prevent them from exploding. The media tackles certain topics to distract people and waste their time, but if you’re talking about real change or benefit that takes place, you’ll find nothing. People will keep waiting for the …
European Culture Capital Paphos aims for new beginning
The title of European Capital of Culture is passed around each year to lesser known cities, given them time in the limelight. Cyprus’ tiny city of Paphos hopes the status will bring renewal, reports DW’s Barbara Wesel.The young singers are very nervous. “Paphos is a small city and hardly gets any attention. For us, it’s …
Small publishing houses: filling the gap between lack of government support and famous publishers
Young writers must deal with the difficulties of being responsible for publishing their books on their own, knowing that there is no other way to showcase their talent
Composing in his dreams: Philip Glass turns 80
A founding father of minimal music and one of the most prolific living composers, Philip Glass also kept a side job as a taxi driver until his 40s. He now celebrates his 80th birthday with a series of concerts.His mother was a librarian. His father owned a record store and would spend the evenings listening …
Why writers like Kristof Magnusson are experimenting with ‘simple German’
German-Icelandic novelist Kristof Magnusson is a pioneer. Hoping to reach a wider audience, he decided to write a book in simple German. But how is it different from his usual work?Sentences with a simple structure and strong verbs, but no long, cumbersome nouns are easier to understand – both for language learners and those with …
Can Dündar’s bilingual news platform ‘Özgürüz’ blocked in Turkey
Turkey has reportedly banned access to the bilingual news website “Özgürüz,” which had only been launched earlier in the week. Editor-in-chief Can Dündar said, he had expected as much.Editor-in-chief Can Dündar (pictured, far right) had indicated in an interview earlier in the week that he was anticipating Turkish authorities to block access to his new …
Cuba is changing rapidly
Within a few months more has changed here than in the past few decades. Cuba, the last “socialist paradise” is opening up to the west – and thereby risks losing its own very special flair.Friends laughed when I told them of my plans to spend two weeks in Cuba. More than once I had to …
Egypt to host first online puppet festival in March
Aiming to revive the various puppet theatre arts in Egypt, Kayan marionette puppet theatre will host the first round of the international online festival for puppet shows on 1-30 March. The festival will launch a new platform for connecting thousands of puppeteers from around the globe while also providing the public with an innovative way …
Food giant Dr Oetker returns Nazi-looted painting to rightful heir
Four artworks in the extensive Dr Oetker collection were confirmed to have been looted by the Nazis. Now the German food empire has announced it is returning a van Dyck painting to the heir of a Dutch art dealer.Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker had a significant and sizeable collection of 16th and 17th century Dutch …
Myanmar may ban tourists from climbing on ancient temples
Tourists in Myanmar may soon be banned from climbing temples in the tourist hotspot of Bagan, following criticism of the popular holiday pastime from the country’s de-facto leader Aung San Suui Kyi on Wednesday.”Visitors watching on top of ancient pagodas will have a negative impact on the long-term sustainability. That is why we need to …
From scary to silly: five times Trump was associated with pop culture
Sales numbers of the dystopian novel “1984” have spiked since Donald Trump took office. Here are four more ways the US president has recently invoked memories of popular entertainment.’Keep America great’ Trump’s presidential campaign, Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., has applied to trademark the phrase he would use for a potential 2020 presidential run. …
New Wim Wenders film searches for the meaning of life
Wim Wenders’ latest film, “The Beautiful Days of Aranjuez,” is a melancholy contemplation of love and life. Originally written for the stage, this is Wenders’ fifth collaboration with playwright and friend Peter Handke.German filmmaker Wim Wenders and Austrian playwright Peter Handke have known each other since 1966. At that time, Wenders went to watch Handke’s …
Germany’s biggest diving tower
The resort town of Waren in the Mecklenburg Lake District has plans to build a 35-meter tall diving tower. Whether or not the multimillion euro investment goes ahead will be decided on Tuesday.Town officials will examine the objections to the project one last time before deciding on a development plan. The diving tower will be …
Oscar nominations include German comedy ‘Toni Erdmann’
Nominations for the Oscars have been revealed in Los Angeles. “La La Land,” “Moonlight” and “Manchester by the Sea” are well represented – as is a German comedy. The awards will be presented on February 26.The Academy Award nominations for best picture include the family drama “Manchester by the Sea,” wartime biopic “Hacksaw Ridge,” directed …
Turkish-German news website launched in Germany with Can Dündar
A new online portal for Turkish news has been launched – in Germany. “Özgürüz” aims to provide impartial coverage on issues that are censored in Turkey.Turkish journalist Can Dündar launched “Özgürüz” (which translates as “we are free”) alongside his colleague Hayko Bagdat. Both journalists have moved to Germany to be part of the initiative after …
Young directors vie for Max Ophüls Prize with films on freedom, migration and women
Hot-button topics like migrations and women’s issues are on the lineup at the Max Ophüls Prize Film Festival in Germany. It was opened with an absurd Austrian tour de force that overcomes time itself.”Night of 1,000 hours” is the enigmatic title of the third long film by Austrian director Virgil Widrich which opened the 38th …
The Doctor: a biography about determination and womanhood
History has the ability to direct and alter the future. A few years ago, Mohamed Abdel Latif found a letter written by his mother in the early 20th century. While the letter was initially a simple method of communication between a daughter and her father, the significance of finding this letter has initiated a domino …
Original founder of Daily News Egypt dies
Reda Garghour passed away due to an avalanche in the French Alps
Aarhus puts Viking twist on European Capital of Culture celebration
If you’re looking for warm-blooded Danes, look no further: Residents and visitors have flocked to Aarhus to launch the city as one of this year’s European Capitals of Culture. DW’s Bernd Riegert reports.Almost 1,000 singers accompanied by two orchestras took to Aarhus’ stages as the Danish city celebrated the colorful launch of its European Capital …
Frustration and disappointment: Egyptian independent theatrical troupes fight for their art to see the light
In a country where theatre has always been one of the most important types of art that helped express the struggles and dreams of people’s everyday lives, independent theatrical troupes are chocking. With the limited available resources and the absence of governmental support, the number of theatrical artists is rapidly decreasing, shedding light on a …
Berlin 24/7: Fashion 4.0 made in Berlin
The Berlin fashion scene hasn’t seen much international success – yet. DW columnist Gero Schliess says there more potential to be tapped into – if the fashion and start-up scenes start collaborating.No, things weren’t better in the past – especially not for Berlin-based fashion designers. In the 1990s, it was said that Berlin would never …
New Barberini Museum near Berlin is a hot number for impressionism and more
After years in the making, Potsdam’s Barberini Museum – spearheaded by patron and billionaire Hasso Plattner – is opening its doors. The first shows feature works by, among others, Monet, Renoir and Caillebotte.Art patron and software billionaire Hasso Plattner did not wish to keep his art collection for himself. Instead, he decided to bestow the …
Lincoln, Nixon, Kennedy and the rest: US presidents in film
To some people, the election of Donald Trump as 45th president of the United States may seem like the plot of a bad movie. But Hollywood has long been interested in the lives of US presidents. DW presents a look back.The clock is ticking: How long until the first movie featuring business mogul Donald Trump …
Melania Trump follows in the footsteps of these first ladies from around the world
Around the world, leaders’ spouses are guarantors of glamour. But some also stand out for eccentricity or dedication. As Melania Trump takes over from Michelle Obama, DW looks at legendary first ladies – old and new.When Donald Trump is sworn in as president of the United States on Friday, Melania Trump will become the next …
The sweet aroma of one of Cairo’s coffee vendors
For ages, coffee addicts in Egypt couldn’t find a place that could compete with Al-Ghoreya coffee vendor when it came to the taste, spirit, and price of Turkish coffee. Just a few steps away from the timeworn cosy little shop, visitors smell the rich scent of roasted coffee beans which invades the neighbourhood with its …
How German designer Stefan Diez takes a global approach to everyday objects
He makes Japan-inspired china and relates his metal chair to car fenders. Young German designer Stefan Diez is influenced by his time in Asia, but pays tribute to German craftmanship. His work is on show in Cologne.”It’s showtime!” The 2017 international design season has begun. Running parallel to Cologne’s international furniture fair, the imm, the …
A full week of fashion in Berlin
The fashion industry descends on Berlin this week, as designers show their autumn/winter collections for 2017/2018 at Berlin Fashion Week. Retailers will be seeking out the latest trends.One of Germany’s biggest fashion events of the year, Berlin Fashion Week, kicked off on Monday. Opening with the “Zeit” magazine conference at the Kronprinzenpalais on Monday, the …