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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!
- How to Celebrate Easter in Germany: Osterwasser
Osterwasser or Easter water is water collected on Easter early in the morning, before sunrise. It is said to have healing and protective powers and won’t go bad. - How to Celebrate Easter in Germany: Osterfeuer and Osterrad
On Saturday before Easter many cities in Germany celebrate with an Osterfeuer (Easter Fire). An Easter Wheel (Osterrad) though is a regional custom. - How to Celebrate Easter in Germany: Good Friday
Good Friday or Karfreitag is the day when Jesus was crucified. Different regions in Germany have different customs associated with this day, from “Ratschen” to processions, from eating fish to eating “Struwen”. - How to Celebrate Easter in Germany: Osterbrunnen
Osterbrunnen are decorated fountains and wells that are common in Franconian Switzerland during Easter. They are decorated with colorful eggs and greenery garlands. - Where to Celebrate German Karneval in the U.S. (2024)
Here is a (not comprehensive) list of locations and clubs where you can celebrate German Karneval/Fasching in the U.S. - Groundhog Day and Its German Origins
Groundhog Day is an American and Canadian holiday on February 2, but the custom of predicting the arrival of spring has German origins. It also has a connection to Candlemas, a religious holiday with roots dating back to Celts. - 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. - Luise Rainer – Two Time Academy Award Winner
Luise Rainer was an actor from Düsseldorf in Germany with a brief career in Hollywood. She won two Academy Awards in 1936 and 1937. - Why New Year’s Eve is Called Silvester in Germany
While New Year’s Day is called “Neujahr” (new year) in German, New Year’s Eve goes by the name “Silvester”, after Pope Sylvester I who died on December 31, 335. - When Elvis Was in Germany
The King in Germany? Yes, Elvis Presley was stationed in Germany for his military service from October of 1958 until March of 1960. - Pfingstrose – The Flower that Blooms around Pentecost
It looks like a rose and blooms around Pentecost: the Pfingstrose or peony. The flower was used for medicinal (and magical) purposes but also as an ornamental flower. - The Cold Sophie and Other Ice Saints – Eisheilige in Germany
The Ice Saints or Eisheiligen in Germany are the days of May 11 (12)-15, ending with the Cold Sophie (Kalte Sophie). These days might see low temperature and night frost which is why you shouldn’t plant before those dates. - How to Celebrate Easter in Germany: Maundy Thursday
The Thursday before Easter is called Maundy Thursday or Gründonnerstag (Green Thursday) in German. What’s so green about that day and what customs are celebrated? - 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. - The Litfaßsäule – Advertising Pillar Named after its Inventor, Ernst Litfaß
The Litfaßsäule – the cylindrical cement pillar placed in cities advertising cultural and sporting events. It was named after its inventor Ernst Litfaß. - Epiphany – It’s a Great Idea!
Epiphany (Dreikönigstag) is celebrated on January 6th. In many regions, “Sternsinger” go from door to door, singing and marking the houses with the CMB blessing.
