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GERMANY EXPLAINED

The five most underrated things about Germany

Though well-known throughout the world for being the home of great beer, a (former) footballing prowess, and its work and educational opportunities, there are some other surprising things that are really great about Germany.

A vineyard in front of Albrechtsburg Castle and Cathedral in Saxony.
A vineyard in front of Albrechtsburg Castle and Cathedral in Saxony. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sebastian Kahnert

Its rich wine culture

Though the Bundesrepublik is most famous for its beer, it’s also the eighth-largest wine producer in the world and a real gem for wine enthusiasts.

There are 13 different growing regions in Germany, and each region has its own unique grape varieties and styles.

From the Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz to Franken, Baden, and Sachsen, German wine-growing regions stretch along picturesque river valleys and offer a diverse range of wine varieties: from dry to sweet, white to red, and even sparkling wines (known as “Sekte” in Germany), there is something to suit every palate.

Steep slopes, such as here on the Moselle, offer ideal terrain for wine production. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/Deutsches Weininstitut | Deutsches Weininstitut

What also sets German wine culture apart is the emphasis on quality and precision in production. Winemakers place great value on craftsmanship and sustainability and many wineries employ environmentally friendly cultivation methods and carefully select grapes, resulting in wines of high quality and distinct character.

READ ALSO: Meet the man introducing internationals to German wine

As well as quality wines, the cosy atmosphere of German wine festivals and wine bars is also worth mentioning. Germans know how to celebrate their wine culture and are happy to share their passion with visitors.

The summer weather

When planning a summer holiday, most tourists will look firstly to other European destinations like Spain, Greece or Italy for a guaranteed week in the sun.

But the German summer is surprisingly warm and sunny, too. From June to September temperatures average between 21 and 25 degrees and in some regions, the weather is consistently in the high 20s throughout the summer months.

Which regions in Germany have the best (and worst) weather?

The highest average annual temperatures in Germany are usually found in the Upper Rhine region between the Vosges and Jura Mountains, but even the cities like Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Karlsruhe see persistently hot temperatures and little rainfall during the summer months.

Germany’s abundant sunshine has also contributed to the growth of its solar panel market, as the country harnesses its solar energy potential to meet renewable energy goals and reduce carbon emissions.

Its contributions to world culture

Art and culture may not always be the first things that come to mind when people think about Germany, but the country has left an unmistakable mark on world culture.

The philosophical ideas of thinkers such as Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Karl Marx have greatly influenced philosophical discourse around the world and writers such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe have produced enduring works that resonate across time and borders.

A musician of the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra rehearses the Beethoven Symphony No. 3 during a dress rehearsal in the Great Hall at the Laeiszhalle. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Marcus Brandt

Germany has also produced many legendary composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven, whose compositions continue to captivate audiences around the world today.

German cinema, too, has had a huge influence on filmmaking. The era of German expressionism in the early 20th century yielded groundbreaking films like “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” and “Metropolis,” and the bold and visionary filmmaking of directors such as Werner Herzog, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, and Wim Wenders has further cemented Germany’s cinematic legacy.

READ ALSO: 10 epic German movies you have to watch before you die

The outstanding nature

Many people may associate Germany with its bustling cities, technological advancements, and industrial prowess. But Germany is also blessed with a rich variety of natural wonders. 

From the Alps in the south to the Black Forest, Germany boasts stunning mountain ranges, rolling hills, vast forests, and serene lakes. 

Tourists stand on the Bastei rock at sunrise in the Saxon Switzerland National Park and take a selfie. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Philipp Schulze

Some particular, lesser-known highlights, include the Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a winding river, vineyard-covered hills, medieval castles, and charming towns, and Saxon Switzerland National Park, known for its dramatic sandstone rock formations, deep gorges, and the iconic Bastei Bridge.

READ ALSO: Holiday like a local: Five of the best camping regions in Germany

Germany’s commitment to environmental conservation has also helped maintain the pristine quality of its landscapes, preserving their beauty for generations to come.

Its regional diversity

Many people may perceive Germany as a nation with a singular, strong national identity. But Germany has a complex history and, prior to unification in the 19th century, was made up of various kingdoms, duchies, and independent states.

These regions developed their own distinct identities, traditions, and dialects and many of these are still surprisingly visible today. 

While the northern regions, including cities like Hamburg, Bremen, and Lübeck, have a maritime influence and are known for their Hanseatic heritage and stand-offish demeanour, Bavaria in the southeast is known for its love of folk festivals and conservatism.

READ ALSO: Thrifty Swabians and haughty Hamburgers: A guide to Germany’s regional stereotypes

The capital Berlin is like a country of its own, with a diverse population and thriving arts and techno scene, and the Rhineland is renowned for its vibrant carnival celebrations, wine festivals, and cheerful spirit.

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INSIDE GERMANY

Inside Germany: Becoming German, European election vote and the Scottish ‘Mannschaft’

From what we can expect from voters at the European elections to what citizenship means to foreign residents and the Scottish take on the German word 'Mannschaft', here are a few things we're talking about this week.

Inside Germany: Becoming German, European election vote and the Scottish 'Mannschaft'

Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

What can we expect as Germany goes to the polls for Europe?

On Sunday, EU citizens living in Germany will cast their vote to elect a new European parliament. 

A lot has changed since the last elections were held back in 2019 – the UK has since left the EU (meaning no Brits in Europe can vote unless they have an EU citizenship), we’ve experienced a worldwide pandemic and war has broken out in Europe. 

The big story of 2019 from Germany was the Green surge. 

Although the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) received the largest share of votes (28.7 percent), the Greens won more than 20 percent of the vote in Germany, increasing by about 10 percent from 2014.

Support for the conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD) dropped considerably. 

So what can we expect from voters in Germany this time? 

According to recent polls, the conservatives are likely to secure a victory on the German side of things. The CDU and CSU will scoop up around 30 percent of the vote, according to surveys.

poster urging people to vote

A giant poster announcing the upcoming European elections, on the facade of the European Parliament building in Strasbourg, eastern France. Photo: FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left SPD, on the other hand, is only polling between 14 and 16 percent. 

The poll figures for the Greens have fluctuated. The INSA institute reported in April that the Greens could receive 11.5 percent of the vote. But recent polls show the party receiving between 13 and 15 percent – a significant drop from 2019. 

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has also lost support. While pollsters INSA predicted the party would take 22 percent of the vote back in February, recent polls put them on 14 to 17 percent.

Meanwhile, the Free Democrats (FDP), currently in government with the SPD and Greens, have been hovering between just three and five percent in polls since the beginning of the year.

Aside from these well-known parties, there are also a number of smaller ones.

If you’re eligible to vote, who will you be choosing? Good luck at the ballot box and make sure to check The Local’s coverage as the results come in. 

READ ALSO:

Germany in Focus podcast

After devastating floods in Germany that have claimed lives and cause huge destruction, we talk about how communities are coping and the areas most at risk of flooding on this week’s podcast. We also get into predictions for the European parliamentary elections and answer a reader question on how much you need to earn to qualify for German citizenship, 

With the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament coming up on June 14th, we share some interesting facts about the stadiums involved and talk about the importance of football culture in Germany with guest Kit Holden. 

What does German citizenship mean to foreign residents in Germany?

With the new citizenship law coming into force later this month, we asked The Local readers to share their feelings about citizenship and the process in a questionnaire. More than 100 people filled out our survey in just a few days and were delighted to hear about the different experiences. 

In the first of our articles, we looked at what securing a German passport means to residents. 

Of 121 readers who took our survey, 81 percent intend to apply for citizenship, while 12 percent are still unsure. 

About six percent said they will not apply, and a few respondents had already naturalised. 

A German citizenship certificate and passport.

A German citizenship certificate and passport. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez

For many people, a huge benefit of citizenship is about gaining freedom of movement. 

“Free movement with the world’s strongest passport is the main goal here,” Khandakar Rahman from Bangladesh, told us. 

Others mentioned that they would feel more integrated – and have course receive full rights to voting. 

Kristian from Norway said the would “finally be an EU citizen, to be able to vote, and also to actually be German”.

READ MORE: What would German citizenship mean to foreign residents?

The Scottish ‘Mannschaft’ set to take on Germany 

As Germany is about to take on Scotland in the opener for UEFA Euro 2024, ad executives for the Scottish soft drink Irn Bru have outdone themselves. 

They’ve launched an advert playing around with the nickname for Germany’s national football – ‘Die Mannschaft’ 

READ MORE: German word of the day – Mannschaft 

I was keen to know what Germans felt about this advert featuring a guy in a kilt talking about how Scotland’s ‘Mannschaft’ may even reach the semis. 

While many Germans thought it was funny, a few pointed out that the advert technically doesn’t use the word correctly. 

One thing for sure is that the Scottish love it. 

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