Part two of this series takes Yabla star reporter Diane to a catapult stand, where the carnie gives her a detailed account of the history of the catapult, and on to the "Mercenaries" club, whose members wear medieval costumes and barter their services in Bretten's Peter and Paul Festival. Enjoy!

Check out this animated version of the classic Grimm Brothers' fairytale "The Frog Prince," with a lively narration by Bastian Pastewka.

Yabla star reporter Diane takes to the streets of Karlruhe to ask people about their plans for New Year's Eve and their resolutions for the coming year with a suprisingly diverse array of responses. Guten Rutsch!

Monsters for Christmas? They are the sinister contrast to our friendly Santa Claus: While the latter likes to turn a blind eye to naughty children, the Krampus rattles his chain to get the necessary respect from the little ones. The Krampus run in Munich always takes place on two Sundays during Advent.

"I'm dreaming of a wet Christmas?" I'll bet it's the first time you've heard that one! Diving instructor Werner Lambert has placed an entire life-sized Christmas diorama underwater in the Moselle town of Bernkastel-Kues. Here's to a very wet Christmas! Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

American kids get to make up their own "dungeons" in basements for Halloween fun, but in Germany you can go to the real Frankenstein Castle! Strictly for those who enjoy being frightened... viel Spaß am Halloween! Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

In this second of a two-part series, Diane resumes her interview with artist Monika Kaeser and our tour of her latest exhibition. Comprised, in part, of rubbings taken from medieval sites left by the socially ostracized, her work “in the present breathes [life into] the past and the future is born.”

The Folkwang Museum put together a fantastic exhibition of James Bond posters for 007 fans, a few examples of which are available to see online. Were developments in modern society reflected in British spy films? Were James Bond’s martinis really “shaken not stirred?” Take a taste of this video cocktail and find out!
Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

The band Sportfreunde Stiller has had a summer of sold-out shows on the tail of their latest hit single “Applaus, Applaus” (“Applause, Applause”) In this Interview, three bandmembers talk about coming to terms with middle-age while retaining their youthful outlook and inspiration from their fans. Kopfhörer aufsetzen, Musik aufdrehen! (video copyright dpa)

The Bad Vilbel Castle Festival has all the requirements for a great night out: beautiful gardens, top-notch cuisine, a great wine selection, and an excellent theater stage. Wine, dine, and theater in the ruins of a medieval castle…Enjoy!

In this first segment, Yabla’s own reporter Diane interviews artist Monika Kaeser about her exhibition in the Faust Archive and Museum in Knittlingen, Baden-Württemberg. Ms. Kaeser takes impressions of carvings etched in the walls of medieval towers by those imprisoned there long ago and transforms them into fascinating watercolor images!

Kitsch or cult? Since the major role of a garden gnome in the (ironically French) film Amélie, and the trial of artist Ottmar Hörl for his garden gnome giving a Nazi salute, gnomes have been a constant presence in the media. Protest gnomes giving the middle finger or baring their behind have led to court trials, and judging from a few of these dirty little gnomes in the video, you can see why! Viel Spaß!

The 99 Fire Film Awards offer a 9,999 euro prize to the best 99 second short film. This short film entry from 2012 entitled “Fabien” appears to be a trailer for a film that has not yet been made, but it looks like it could be a great one. Watch it yourself and decide!

Want to go a museum, but either time is tight or the museum is on the other side of the world? No problem! With the Google Art Project you can take a virtual walk through many world-renowned museums from the comfort of your own smart phone. Check this video out and take in the “sites,” from “The Dream” by Henri Rousseau at the MoMA in New York to the marbled skin of a wounded Amazon at the Old National Gallery in Berlin. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

Who needs Hollywood? Well, everyone in the film industry, really, but there is enough glamour at the annual Berlinale Film Festival to keep the paparazzi shouting. Hear actor Jürgen Vogel and actress Birgit Minichmayr discuss their exciting new film entitled Mercy. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]