https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed When someone dies, it’s hard enough to find the words in English – let alone in German. If you’re learning the language, these simple phrases can help you express your condolences with confidence. https://www.thelocal.de/20260325/beileid-how-to-express-condolences-in-german Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:25:35 +0100 beileid-how-to-express-condolences-in-german Politicians from Germany's federal government have expressed willingness to raise the minimum age for the purchase of wine and beer. https://www.thelocal.de/20250804/will-germany-raise-the-drinking-age-for-beer-and-wine Mon, 04 Aug 2025 18:04:02 +0200 will-germany-raise-the-drinking-age-for-beer-and-wine More than 35 years after reunification, many eastern states in Germany still celebrate this GDR-era coming of age tradition. https://www.thelocal.de/20250407/german-word-of-the-day-jugendweihe Mon, 07 Apr 2025 19:26:00 +0200 german-word-of-the-day-jugendweihe Locals from Germany's most westerly city like to greet each other with a secret hand symbol when they meet elsewhere in the world. Though the symbol is a source of pride in Aachen, the tradition has a long - and rather dark - history. https://www.thelocal.de/20250109/klenkes-the-strange-hand-gesture-you-need-to-know-in-the-german-town-of-aachen Thu, 09 Jan 2025 10:44:34 +0100 klenkes-the-strange-hand-gesture-you-need-to-know-in-the-german-town-of-aachen Every year a mass of tourists and revellers descends on Cologne for the start of carnival season. This year, the city is tightening up the rules to crack down on drunken misbehaviour. https://www.thelocal.de/20231109/cologne-carnival-set-to-kick-off-with-beefed-up-security Thu, 09 Nov 2023 12:45:47 +0100 cologne-carnival-set-to-kick-off-with-beefed-up-security From new attractions to embracing tap water, here's what you need to know about Germany's most famous folk festival, starting on Saturday. https://www.thelocal.de/20230911/free-water-to-new-rides-everything-you-need-to-know-about-oktoberfest-in-2023 Mon, 11 Sep 2023 16:42:49 +0200 free-water-to-new-rides-everything-you-need-to-know-about-oktoberfest-in-2023 Germans aren't known for their inclination towards small talk - or informal chit chat. But here are seven spots around Germany where we've often observed it happening right out in the open. https://www.thelocal.de/20230523/7-places-where-you-can-actually-make-small-talk-with-germans Tue, 23 May 2023 17:25:39 +0200 7-places-where-you-can-actually-make-small-talk-with-germans In this week's round-up of life in Germany, we look at the government's pared-back plans to legalise marijuana, explore the joys of Brotzeit and dig into a little-known fact about the German obsession with white asparagus. https://www.thelocal.de/20230417/living-in-germany-watered-down-cannabis-plan-brotzeit-and-spargel-roots Mon, 17 Apr 2023 11:59:59 +0200 living-in-germany-watered-down-cannabis-plan-brotzeit-and-spargel-roots