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 Beloved by children in the UK and US alike, the Easter Bunny is perhaps one of the most recognisable symbols of the spring season for English speakers. But its origins actually trace back to Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20170410/made-in-germany-the-very-deutsch-origins-of-the-easter-bunny Mon, 10 Apr 2017 17:00:54 +0200 made-in-germany-the-very-deutsch-origins-of-the-easter-bunny One word in front of this word of the day can change everything... https://www.thelocal.de/20191215/german-advent-word-of-the-day-die-bescherung Sun, 15 Dec 2019 06:00:00 +0100 german-advent-word-of-the-day-die-bescherung This leisurely afternoon ritual is key to the German lifestyle. https://www.thelocal.de/20200902/kaffee-und-kuchen-a-very-german-tradition Wed, 02 Sep 2020 16:03:24 +0200 kaffee-und-kuchen-a-very-german-tradition Even though the days are getting shorter and colder, there is plenty to do in Germany in December. https://www.thelocal.de/20191202/dont-miss-these-8-events-taking-place-in-germany-in-december-2019 Mon, 02 Dec 2019 17:57:53 +0100 dont-miss-these-8-events-taking-place-in-germany-in-december-2019 Germany certainly knows how to celebrate special occasions, sometimes in rather weird and wacky ways. Here are eight seasonal customs which help to make German celebration days so special. https://www.thelocal.de/20190917/8-seasonal-german-customs-you-might-not-have-heard-of Tue, 17 Sep 2019 17:33:56 +0200 8-seasonal-german-customs-you-might-not-have-heard-of With warm weather having already descended upon Germany, here's a list of eight ways to relish the spring season. https://www.thelocal.de/20170412/eight-ways-to-celebrate-springtime-in-germany Wed, 12 Apr 2017 13:47:48 +0200 eight-ways-to-celebrate-springtime-in-germany The annual day of love on February 14th isn't as big in Germany as it is in countries like the US. But since the 1950s Valentine's Day has grown increasingly popular across the country. https://www.thelocal.de/20180214/then-and-now-valentines-day-in-germany Wed, 14 Feb 2018 16:26:54 +0100 then-and-now-valentines-day-in-germany With Karneval festivities in Cologne and across the Rhineland fast approaching, another festival - Fastnacht - will also soon take place in the south of Germany. Here’s how the two traditions compare. https://www.thelocal.de/20180205/karneval-vs-fastnacht-viting-germany Mon, 05 Feb 2018 16:36:37 +0100 karneval-vs-fastnacht-viting-germany Growing up in the US, Christmas for American journalist Rose-Anne Clermont was more of a religious affair. But for her atheist-leaning friends in her adopted country, Germany, Christmas is more about tradition and less about religion. https://www.thelocal.de/20171222/christkind-santa-germans-americans-christmas Fri, 22 Dec 2017 18:20:28 +0100 christkind-santa-germans-americans-christmas The clothes worn at Oktoberfest contain a few useful hints to help you find love, if you know how to read them. https://www.thelocal.de/20170912/oktoberfest-the-traditional-alternative-to-dating Tue, 12 Sep 2017 17:16:20 +0200 oktoberfest-the-traditional-alternative-to-dating With the leaves starting to change colour and autumn fast approaching, now's the time to take advantage of the short Federweißer (fermented young wine) season in Germany, traditionally paired with Zweibelkuchen (onion tart). https://www.thelocal.de/20170908/heres-a-culinary-treat-you-need-to-try-in-germany-before-autumns-end Fri, 08 Sep 2017 18:00:00 +0200 heres-a-culinary-treat-you-need-to-try-in-germany-before-autumns-end Disney's endearing family movies drew heavily on the Grimms' fairy tales - but left out all the child abuse, cannibalism, and murder. https://www.thelocal.de/20161006/eight-times-disney-sugar-coated-grimms-cruel-kids-tales-grimm Thu, 06 Oct 2016 14:25:25 +0200 eight-times-disney-sugar-coated-grimms-cruel-kids-tales-grimm From rolling wheels filled with burning hay down a hill, to waiting for a fox to bring eggs, The Local List this week looks at the nine best German Easter traditions. https://www.thelocal.de/20140416/nine-ways-to-celebrate-easter-like-a-german-traditions Wed, 16 Apr 2014 13:41:00 +0200 nine-ways-to-celebrate-easter-like-a-german-traditions Germany is a land of tradition and customs but what are its finest rituals and practices? The Local has taken a look at ten of the best. https://www.thelocal.de/20140401/ten-best-german-traditions-2 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 10:59:00 +0200 ten-best-german-traditions-2 The Germans celebrate the holiday season better than most and this week's Local List is the perfect recipe for a traditional Christmas, with ten top tips to enjoy the festive period like a German. https://www.thelocal.de/20131218/top-ten-german-christmas-traditions Wed, 18 Dec 2013 13:19:00 +0100 top-ten-german-christmas-traditions Germany may bear similarities to many other Western countries, but below the surface you’ll find a cornucopia of mad customs. For this edition of The Local List, we count down our favourite national quirks. https://www.thelocal.de/20111205/39313 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:25:00 +0100 39313 The Sorbs, Germany’s small Slavic minority, recently celebrated Zapust, an important cultural festival in the Lausitz region near the Polish border. Photographer Penny Bradfield went to the village of Turnow near Cottbus to catch the spectacle. https://www.thelocal.de/20100312/25845 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:29:00 +0100 25845