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Life

Tanzen und neue Leute kennen lernen macht glücklich. Happiness
Living in Germany
Almost like at home: Expats and their happy places
New to Germany and no idea where to go? Expats reveal their favourite places.
Biyon Kattilathu beschäftigt sich mit dem Glücklichsein. Happiness
Coaching
A tour guide to happiness
Biyon Kattilathu wants to show people the path to happiness. He explains how his own background has shaped his many talents and what drives him these days.
Kati Lehtinen-Hahn in ihrem Geschäft in Mainz Happiness
Interview
Why are the Finns so happy?
According to the World Happiness Report, Finns are the happiest people. Kati Lehtinen-Hahn is a Finn who lives in Germany. She reveals what can be learnt from Finns.
Niyousha Akbari, Social Media Managerin bei der Bildungsstätte Anne Frank. Inspiring courage
Media
“Courage means addressing uncomfortable issues”
Niyousha Akbari addresses discrimination and Germany’s past on TikTok and Instagram. Here, she explains why courage begins in everyday life.
Berlin: Jedes Jahr wird ein zehn Meter hoher Chanukka-Leuchter vor dem Brandenburger Tor aufgestellt. Jewish life
Israel
Hanukkah in Berlin: light in times of darkness
This year’s Hanukkah celebration in Berlin is guarded by the police. Rabbi Mendel Brandwine speaks about visibility and Jewish life.
family celebrating Christmas Christmas celebration
Holiday tips
A Christmas Manual
What’s on the menu at Christmas? Which songs do people sing and what types of biscuits do they make? The writer Constanze Kleis shares some advice about the things to do and to avoid at Christmas.
Nazim Alemdar vor seinem Kiosk in Frankfurt Festivals
Christmas
A kiosk that brings people together
Although he’s a Muslim, Christmas plays an important role in the life of Frankfurt kiosk owner Nazim Alemdar: as a social festival that brings people together.
Nina Levchuk, Gründerin von „United for Ukraine” Inspiring courage
Ukraine
“Being courageous is to step into uncertainty”
When the war in Ukraine began, Nina Levchuk became a humanitarian aid organiser over night. Find out what gives her hope, and why she does not believe in idols.
Weihnachten im Erzgebirge: An vielen Orten erinnern Bergparaden an die Bergbaukultur der Region. Festivals
Christmas
Praising Christmas trees and sausage singers: regional Christmas customs
From ancient rituals to lively celebrations: there is a very diverse range of German Christmas traditions.
Gemeinschaftliches Singen schafft Nähe – besonders in der Weihnachtszeit. Festivals
Community
Together rather than alone over the festive period
People who spend Christmas or New Year’s Eve alone often feel lonely. Services and initiatives are available to bring people together, however.
Junge Frauen in traditioneller Tracht der Siebenbürger Sachsen. German roots abroad
German minorities
“Many preserve customs that have become rare in Germany nowadays”
German minorities in Transylvania, Upper Silesia or Kazakhstan. Cultural studies expert Karoline Gil from ifa - Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen explains what characterises these groups to this day.
Sonnenaufgang über der Düne 45 in Namibia German roots abroad
German culture in Namibia
“Christmas here smells of sunscreen”
Namibian open-water swimmer Phillip Seidler talks about his daily life, in which he combines German and Namibian traditions.

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