Arts.21

Culture in Germany: A thriving, cosmopolitan cultural scene, major festivals and fairs. A magazine that has more to offer than Beethoven and Bayreuth.
Occasionally English Germany Society & Culture · Places & Travel
29 Episodes
1 – 20

Norbert Gstrein: The Second Jacob

An actor wrestles with his past. A profound novel about a man trying to preserve a sense of agency over his life, which becomes even more complex in the midst of difficult questions like, what is guilt? And what is fate?
23 Oct 2021 1 min

Antje Rávik Strubel: Blue Woman

Antje Rávik Strubel's novel about power and powerlessness tells the story of a young woman from the Czech Republic who struggles to reclaim her life after being raped, weaving together various fates and narrative layers.
23 Oct 2021 1 min

The German Book Prize Shortlist

Six candidates made it onto the shortlist for the coveted literary award. Their novels explore toxic masculinity, family, empowerment and identity. Who wrote the novel of the year?
23 Oct 2021 11 min

Re:connect

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world's most important meeting place for the book industry. It’s once again taking place in the real world after last year's event was held online due to the pandemic. But can organizers and visitors go back to normal?
23 Oct 2021 2 min

Power - Up close and personal

Her photos of Angela Merkel are iconic. French photographer Laurence Chaperon has been portraying celebrities from politics and society for decades, looking behind the scenes of power - and combining aesthetics with political messages.
18 Sep 2021 3 min

Musical World Tour: The Campus Project

Making music together across cultural boundaries: that’s the idea behind the youth exchange project Campus. On its 20th anniversary, young musicians from all over Europe are invited to participate in the Beethovenfest in Bonn.
4 Sep 2021 5 min

Berlin's 'Tanz im August' festival

The thematic spectrum of 'Tanz im August' ranges from shamanic rituals to the African diaspora to anti-consumerism. The festival takes place in Berlin for the 33rd time — in some unusual places, with surprising performances and over 100 artists.
21 Aug 2021 6 min

West-Eastern harmony

Arab and Israeli musicians have been playing together harmoniously in this orchestra since 1999, although their home countries are embroiled in a seemingly endless conflict: The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra as a guest at the Rheingau Music Festival.
21 Aug 2021 4 min

2021 Pritzker Prize: Big comfort on a small budget

Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal don’t tear things down. They restore buildings sustainably with surprisingly modest means, while meeting the needs of residents. Their socially and ecologically conscious work won them the 2021 Pritzer Prize.
26 Jun 2021 3 min

Remembering Trauma and Patriotism

With Vietnam, war entered the living room via our televisions for the first time. The images ranged from real footage to propaganda. Films like "Coming Home" or "Born on the Fourth of July" depict the war's fallen heroes and traumatized veterans.
5 Jun 2021 3 min

Role Clichés in War Films

Women are typically cast to play widows, mothers, wives, and nurses in this male-dominated film genre. But there are examples of other roles, and more women may soon be 'taking up arms' for Hollywood.
5 Jun 2021 6 min

A master builder with a mission

Award-winning German architect Anna Heringer’s vision is to improve the world with architecture. She uses natural construction materials and is causing a worldwide sensation with her earthen buildings.
27 Mar 2021 4 min

Berlin: Back to the Diaspora

Berlin's colorful, diverse, queer culture attracts many people of Jewish faith —especially from Israel. They often belong to the third generation of Shoah survivors. How do they deal with trauma?
19 Feb 2021 7 min

Embracing diversity and novelty

A rabbi who defies clichés and a film that shakes things up. The new Jewish generation in Germany is quick-witted and self-confident. They're putting an end to a culture of remembrance that fails to embrace the present.
19 Feb 2021 3 min

Percussionists love Alondra de la Parra

Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra has definitely got rhythm. She’s rehearsing film music from her native country with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. In the process, she’s found out what drumming & badminton have to do with each other.   
23 Jan 2021 4 min

First-rate classical music, a click away

For over a year now, “DW Classical Music” on YouTube has delighted classical musical fans from all over the world. With both short clips and in-depth documentaries, viewers can experience stunning moments with award-winning musicians thanks to DW. 
23 Jan 2021 1 min

Mozart y Mambo: Reunion in Havana

A year after her passion project “Mozart y Mambo”, Sarah Willis took another trip to Cuba. A currency reform and the corona pandemic have meant difficult times for the Cuban people. But Mozart and Salsa are helping musicians through the crisis. 
23 Jan 2021 6 min

Mozart y Mambo: Reunion in Havana

A year after her passion project "Mozart y Mambo”, Sarah Willis took another trip to Cuba. A currency reform and the corona pandemic have meant difficult times for the Cuban people. But Mozart and Salsa are helping musicians through the crisis.
22 Jan 2021 6 min

Till Brönner and the lockdown blues

House concerts and absence from the stage. Acclaimed jazz trumpeter Till Brönner is one of many artists who have been affected. Instead of relaxed rhythms he’s now striking sharp chords, as a mouthpiece of the cultural scene. A conversation.
22 Dec 2020 6 min

Beethoven and Nature: Indian Musician Ricky Kej

Beethoven's Symphony No. 6, also known as the Pastoral, has inspired artists the world over. DW travels to India, where film composer and Grammy winner Ricky Kej uses unconventional musical projects to advocate for environmental protection.
13 Dec 2020 3 min
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