German Culture

A beautiful land with interesting traditions, the culture of Germany is deeply rooted in its people and reflects many shades. Take a look at these interesting details associated with German culture.

A land known for its beautiful countryside, with a rich history and culture, art galleries that exhibit some of the most exquisite works... Germany is a place that has something for everyone. This land is known for many things, from the delicious cuisine to the thought provoking literature. German culture thus gives us a glimpse of the various sides of this glorious land. What are the most interesting factors that draw people towards Germany? Well, the German culture reveals it all. Let's take a quick tour to know more about some of the interesting aspects of German culture.

German Culture: An Insight

Art and Architecture
Germany witnessed some of the finest artists during the Renaissance period. One can particularly note that the German artists drew a lot of inspiration from Italian artists of the Renaissance period. Their styles thus gave birth to the German Renaissance. During the olden days, there were many styles followed by artists. Today, there are over 5,000 art galleries that display many interesting works of art. Art lovers from all over the world throng to these places to appreciate the beauty of these works. The artistic forms are not limited to the canvas or the sculptures, in fact, the architecture of Germany has a particular look about its structure. Berlin is the place to know more about different international structures.

Modern German architecture is all about technology merged with finer design elements. However, the story was different in the ancient days. Wood being easily available, the homes in ancient Germany were primarily made of this material. While under the influence of the Roman Empire, German buildings looked similar to the Roman buildings. The Electoral Palace is a fine example of the Rococo style of architecture. There are many such important landmarks in Germany that indicate the fine architectural designs implemented in the olden days.

Literature
Well, it goes without saying that Germany is known as the land of poets and thinkers. The works of the many famous authors and poets have touched the hearts of millions of readers. In the earlier days, the works were primarily written in the German language. The 'Hildebrandslied' is one of the most famous and prominent works during the Old High German period. Around 12 authors of the German language have been awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature. Today, the thought process and the kind of content generated has undergone a change. Contemporary German literature shows many shades of the creative geniuses of German authors and poets.

Religion
In Germany, the constitution states no person may ever be discriminated on the basis of religion. Although, Christianity is the major religion followed in Germany, one can witness the presence of other religions as well. The Christians include Roman Catholics as well as Protestants. Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, etc., are some of the other religions followed in Germany.

Cuisine
Germany is known for its varied styles of cuisine. This is because, German cuisine is prepared differently from region to region. Meat is the main food ingredient in all the dishes. However, the Germans also have a sweet tooth and this is evident from the vast variety of desserts that can be gorged out here! Rye bread is yet another specialty of the place.

Music and Dance
From classical music to the modern forms of today, German music includes many variations. Germany has contributed in a large way to the world of music. Composers such as Beethoven and Mozart propelled Germany on the international map in the musical world. Apart from music loving individuals, dance also remains deeply rooted in German culture. Performing arts is at its peak in Germany. There are many regions in Germany known for their typical style of music and folk dance.

Cinema
German cinema has made many valuable contributions. Cinema developed due to the increasing demands from the public, who otherwise, relied on films from Italy. The film industry in Germany progressed immediately after World War I. One could see the use of symbolism in the films. Then followed the Expressionist Movement. However, this also changed later on, although the concepts continued to influence movies around the world. In the recent times, 'Run Lola Run' has managed to bring attention back towards German cinema. Over the years, many German movies enjoyed international fame.

Traditional German Clothing
During the olden days, there were many types of clothing gear that were characteristic of Germany. Traditional German clothing was all about layers and dresses for women. In Germany, the dirndl remains to be an important traditional dress which consists of many garments. In modern times, the dirndl is worn for traditional events. Apart from these garments, the lederhosen, gamsbart, tracht, etc., also form an integral part of traditional wear.

These interesting facts about Germany and its culture give one an indication about the magnificence of this land. A fairly secure country, there are many more things one can learn about by being a part of the land, which will help to absorb the deeply rooted cultures and traditions. To know more about Germany and its culture, probably one may need to be immersed completely to be able to enjoy the true flavor of this beautiful country.