It’s impossible to pigeonhole Beethoven: He was impulsive, chaotic, and brilliant, but also silly and funny. He also tried to learn how to dance! Even today, he continues to inspire countless artists and musicians.

Just imagine: You’re on the subway, playing around on your phone or lost in thoughts, when suddenly a flash mob materializes — and you're in the middle of a professional choir singing Christmas carols! It happened in Stuttgart, when the SWR (Southwest Broadcasting) Vocal Ensemble brought Christmas cheer to a car packed with passengers – some of whom were moved to sing along.

It’s been 250 years since Ludwig van Beethoven was born – an excellent opportunity for Bonn, the city of his birth, to celebrate (and dispel the myth that he was an Austrian composer!), and a chance for us to learn more about this famously hot-tempered musical genius.

Leipzig, 1989: Twelve-year-old Fritzi lovingly looks after a little dog belonging to her best friend, Sophie, who has apparently gone on summer vacation with her family in Hungary. But when Sophie doesn’t return in the fall, it becomes clear that her family actually fled to West Germany. Fritzi courageously sets out to return Sputnik to Sophie… and gets caught up in a movement that’s changing the future of the country.

When packing for her family’s escape, Anna finds herself forced to make a heart-wrenching decision: to leave one of her favorite stuffed animals, her pink rabbit, behind. It’s also difficult to say goodbye to the house, and especially to the housekeeper, Heimpi.

Berlin, 1933: Anna is only nine years old when her life changes completely. To escape the Nazis, her father has to flee to Zürich; his family follows him a short time later. Anna leaves everything behind, including her beloved pink rabbit, and must face a new life full of challenges in a foreign country. Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Judith Kerr.

What’s Hamburg all about? Here, Franka introduces you to the famous Hanseatic city, giving an overview of its geography, food, attractions, and history.

Learn about traditional East Frisian costumes, German greetings and codes of conduct, and amusing proverbs in Part II of Cettina’s video on customs and traditions.

What kinds of customs and traditions are characteristic of Germany? What are some common stereotypes about Germans? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this video. Enjoy!

The story of Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver continues! One year after the events depicted in the 2018 film, life in Morrowland has returned to normal. But dark clouds are gathering above the tranquil island. Based on the popular 1962 children’s book by German fantasy author Michael Ende (author of “The Neverending Story”).

Since mid-March, stages in Hamburg have been closed due to coronavirus. But now, theaters are opening again — and proprietors are getting creative with format in order to make sure everyone stays safe. Here, we visit Schmidts Tivoli on the Reeperbahn to learn about their exciting reopening. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

To draw attention to the difficult situation facing artists during the corona pandemic, the three musicians of the Crackerjacks gave a special concert above the town of Cloppenburg in Lower Saxony — in a hot-air balloon, at an altitude of roughly three hundred meters! Giant loudspeakers were hung from the basket, filling the skies with the acoustic cover band’s uplifting music. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

Hambach Castle is one of the most important landmarks in Germany, as its history is the history of the country as we know it today. Every year, thousands of tourists visit the castle and learn about the Hambach Festival, which — spoiler alert — was more than just a party!

In Part 2 of “The Lost Key,” Kasper and his friend Seppel search for the king’s missing key together. They finally track down the thief — but will they be able to outsmart it?

Kasperle, or Kasper, is a traditional puppet character from the German-speaking world, and “Kasperletheater” (Kasper shows) are performed in a manner similar to that of the UK’s “Punch and Judy.” Here, the King has lost the key to his beloved treasury—and, with the King’s promise of a reward, Kasper is eager to help him find it.

Singers Max Giesinger and Lotte talk about the very first songs they wrote, and the different directions the video for their song "Auf das, was da noch kommt" ("Here's to What's to Come") could have taken.

German pop musicians Max Giesinger and Lotte talk about the creative process and the stages of producing a new album – including waiting for it to finally be released!

In Part 2 of the interview, Lotte and Max Giesinger discuss the variety of experiences they've had as performers, how hard it can be to get discovered, and some of the worst gigs they've ever played.

Gabriela and Mira from Karlsruhe talk about SINGinKA, the local choir project they founded. Their group doesn't have the same structure as most choirs – and is therefore much more open to all types of singing enthusiasts!

LOTTE and Max Giesinger talk about their new single, "Auf das, was da noch kommt" and how much fun they had shooting the music video with so many celebrity guests in hilarious roles.

Cettina reads Part 2 of "Das Aschenputtel," a fairy tale known in English as "Cinderella." (By the way, you'll notice that the German word for Cinderella is neuter – which means that "es/ihm" here translates to "she/her.")

Cettina reads Part 1 of "Das Aschenputtel," known in English as "Cinderella." By the way, you'll notice that the German word for Cinderella is neuter – which means that "es/ihm" here translates to "she/her."

With Valentine's Day gaining popularity in Germany, the demand for red roses and other flowers is also growing. Wiesbaden florist Erhard Priewe discusses shifting trends, product shortages, and why the holiday is not as "commercialized" as many people believe.

In "Ozean," Henning May, lead singer of the band AnnenMayKantereit, sings about the difficulty of leaving the past behind.