Traditions and everyday life in GermanyFestivals, family customs, favourite places and everyday traditions, written by members of Global Penfriends who live in Germany. Each cultural keepsake is a short note about life where they are.
403 keepsakes from Germany (206 traditions and culture, 197 personal) · page 8 of 14Moments from members' own lives: family traditions, favourite places, hobbies and memories, some from other countries they love.
I was never a person that celebrated their birthday in a big way. I'd usually visit family for brunch and didn't really celebrate with my friends. 3 years ago I saw someone online having a "painting-party". I loved the idea so…
Shared by PaulanerSpezi
German poet, novelist and Nobel-Prize winner Hermann Hesse wrote 'Siddhartha' after an inspiring visit to South Asia. I read it when very young, maybe 14yo, growing up in a communist country. It may have influenced my later life…
Shared by Sotong
Hiking is one of the most popular hobbies in Germany. About 68 percent of the German population are active hikers. There are around 200,000 km of marked hiking trails in Germany. One of the most popular hiking trails in Germany…
Shared by A-little-piece-of-Germany
In our family, we don't do laundry between Christmas (December 24) and New Year's Day. I don't know how this tradition started in my family, but it is believed that if you do laundry during this time, someone close to you will…
Shared by GreenIgraine
If you´re into watersports, you might like the Iller. It´s a 146 km long river, flowing through some Bavarian towns, for example, Ulm, Kempten and near Memmingen. There are some rougher parts, where you can go whitewater rafting…
Shared by DorkyToast
Christmas markets are found in every town and city from November until Christmas. Glühwein and roasted almonds are a very traditional food you can find there. Käsekuchen is made with Quark ,a bit like cottage cheese. A lot of…
Shared by Khema1
I really do everything from A to Z :D Tattooing, Crafting, Writing, handling with FoamClay, drawing (with many supplies), Gaming, making my Own Stamps and Stickers, even had a Phase where I edited Videos and such. Love to collect…
Shared by Bilbose
At some time in late summer to almost the beginning of fall many people on the coast of Germany get together to take the last swim of the year in the sea. Its a tradition to close the ongoing swimming season of that year. You can…
Shared by Mimi192
In 2021/2022 Werder Bremen relegated into the second league. That was a BUMMER, but in 2022/2023 they came back! After only one season of second league they played so good that they were able to get back into the Bundesliga. At…
Shared by Lottie Dottie
In Germany, there are different kinds of secondary schools called Gymnasium and Realschule (those start after 4th grade). When going to the gymnasium you can graduate (get the diploma to go to university). Depending on the state…
Shared by nana7072007
The "Kieler Woche" (Kiel week) is taking place every year in my hometown Kiel. This event is all about the tradition of sailing races in the fjord of Kiel. It´s origins lie in the habit of 20 sailors, which happened to race for…
Shared by benekedene
A hobby of mine is collecting postcards. Over the years, I have received and sent many of them. Typically I change the cards on the wall every season. Since Spring is around the corner I chose vibrant, pastell colours and changed…
Shared by Dianochka
Motto-Woche is one of the Most fun parts of finishing 12th Grade in Germany!! 12th Graders will basically get a whole week to Dress Up to different themes, Like "time travel" or "childhood Hero" and much more! Sometimes the…
Shared by Sal4Fall
When you are walking in the forest, you always see the big picture: trees, bushes, and forest paths. But when you stop and try to look closely at small things (insects on the ground or moss on trees) you understand more about the…
Shared by Ryba4ok
After lunch, we often eat cake in the afternoons, especially when we‘re visiting my grandma and grandpa. They‘re really kind of cake persons. There is this one cake, I could eat all the time and would never get rid of it. It‘s…
Shared by Jellycatlover123
On November 11th 1918 Poland has finally appeared back on world maps after 123 years of occupation by neighbouring countries. This is an important day to remember as it shows how much suffering the Polish have went through but…
Shared by Jesterfella
A small, old church where communion was celebrated. Communion was conducted around the altar. On one side were the wafers, then the congregation moved behind the altar to the other side, where the wine was served. The entire…
Shared by HenneBerta
In the northern region, once a year (or in some cases more often), when it's cold outside, we stock a handcart with loads of alcohol and snacks and head out for a long hike in a large group, get drunk and play games along the…
Shared by Cloudyyyyy
I visit the Elbphilharmony regularly to hear concerts of classical music. However the view the huge balcony offers over Hamburg is a reason in itself to visit. You can see the main churches of Hamburg from the balcony and on a…
Shared by GilMandos
My beautiful Constantine is truly one of a kind, built on a massive rock that seems to hold the weight of centuries. Founded by the Phoenicians and later the capital of the Numidian Kingdom as Cirta, it carries history in every…
Shared by Sofiane Blikaz
One night in a year, my grandfather used to prepare a huge pot of hot cocoa with milk, mixed with rosewater and cardamom powder, for the whole neighborhood. The taste and smell was wonderful. He did this as one of his wishes had…
Shared by Yalda
Living in Ulm you have the wonderful possibilitie to visit the forests, I go for a walk with my friends everyday so we can enjoy nature together. I live very close to a smal valley which always reminds me of to tales from J.R.R…
Shared by ^Pi
Whereever I go, I always feel attracted to the sea, but the most beautiful one is my beloved Baltic Sea. I was born and raised here, and I remember so many wonderful days at the beach. The sound of the waves is mesmerizing…
Shared by Herr Donnerstag
I live in southern Germany , here we got some bavarian culture with alot of Beer + Brezeln :) Love the traditional clothing on events of the locals here ! Originally i come from Russia, so i have alot of slavian culture brought…
Shared by Soulmate777
It is a myth that Germans wear a Dirndl or Lederhosen all the time. I have never even owned such an item. Some people wear those clothes when they go to the famous Octoberfest. Also there are some people in Bavaria who might in…
Shared by Mares_H
As I was packing for moving to our own house, I found this beautiful handmade Percelan, that i love the most as I bought it a long time ago, before my immigration to Germany, when i lived still in homeland iran. I have it still…
Shared by Sami81
Rostock is a university town. In fact, it has one of the oldest universities in Germany, founded in 1419. Amongst other things you can study biology, and thus Rostock has a botanical garden. It's not huge, but charming, well…
Shared by Froebel
Its something every german family does. As soon as the weather gets only the slightest bit warmer (they will do it even if it storms and rains), every dad packs out his grill and then there will be a big barbecue party. Its funny…
Shared by JJ.
For the people of Cologne carnival season is even more important than Christmas. We dress up in colorful crazy costumes, join sing-alongs in local pubs and watch the parades all around the city. In the night before Ash Wednesday…
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