http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:39:45 +0200 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:39:45 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/culture-wars-france-could-derail-trade-deal-with-exceptions-a-905535.html#ref=rss This week, EU member states are expected to give the green light on talks for a wide-reaching trans-Atlantic free-trade agreement. But French demands for films and culture to be exempted from negotiations could stall or derail the plan. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:22:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/culture-wars-france-could-derail-trade-deal-with-exceptions-a-905535.html This week, EU member states are expected to give the green light on talks for a wide-reaching trans-Atlantic free-trade agreement. But French demands for films and culture to be exempted from negotiations could stall or derail the plan.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/foodies-fight-to-protect-the-term-restaurant-with-seal-in-france-a-904880.html#ref=rss An increasing number of establishments in France are serving pre-made food to their customers. Old-school foodies want to put a stop to the practice with an initiative to apply the term "restaurant" only to places that serve fresh food made on site. Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:08:44 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/foodies-fight-to-protect-the-term-restaurant-with-seal-in-france-a-904880.html An increasing number of establishments in France are serving pre-made food to their customers. Old-school foodies want to put a stop to the practice with an initiative to apply the term "restaurant" only to places that serve fresh food made on site. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/germany-seeks-a-new-longest-word-a-903470.html#ref=rss Call it linguistic precision engineering. The German language permits the creation of words of endless length, many of which refer to laws. Now the country has lost its longest official word following the repeal of a complex law regarding mad cow disease -- and is seeking a new one. Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/germany-seeks-a-new-longest-word-a-903470.html Call it linguistic precision engineering. The German language permits the creation of words of endless length, many of which refer to laws. Now the country has lost its longest official word following the repeal of a complex law regarding mad cow disease -- and is seeking a new one. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/marxist-and-geographer-david-harvey-on-urban-development-and-power-a-900976.html#ref=rss Today's class struggles are increasingly taking place in cities, says Marxist and social theorist David Harvey. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, he discusses how urbanization will play a key role in social conflicts to come. Tue, 21 May 2013 12:35:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/marxist-and-geographer-david-harvey-on-urban-development-and-power-a-900976.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wagner-opera-cancelled-due-to-holocaust-staging-of-tannhaeuser-a-898937.html#ref=rss A staging of Richard Wagner's "Tannhäuser" -- set during the Holocaust and including a gas chamber and a shooting scene -- shocked audience members so badly that some had to be given medical attention. The theater has now cancelled the production out of fear it will damage its artistic reputation. Thu, 09 May 2013 13:37:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wagner-opera-cancelled-due-to-holocaust-staging-of-tannhaeuser-a-898937.html A staging of Richard Wagner's "Tannhäuser" -- set during the Holocaust and including a gas chamber and a shooting scene -- shocked audience members so badly that some had to be given medical attention. The theater has now cancelled the production out of fear it will damage its artistic reputation. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/techno-club-berghain-puts-on-ballet-a-897911.html#ref=rss Among Europe's most celebrated techno establishments, Berlin's Berghain has a new project. In addition to hosting its famous parties, the club will temporarily open a spectacular new space for sold-out performances featuring a collaboration with the capital's ballet company. Fri, 03 May 2013 12:51:20 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/techno-club-berghain-puts-on-ballet-a-897911.html Among Europe's most celebrated techno establishments, Berlin's Berghain has a new project. In addition to hosting its famous parties, the club will temporarily open a spectacular new space for sold-out performances featuring a collaboration with the capital's ballet company.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-techno-dj-westbam-new-album-features-pop-collaborations-a-896516.html#ref=rss Techno as both a musical genre and cultural movement is largely passé. So what's a lifetime DJ like Westbam, one of the earliest impresarios of the German techno scene, to do? He's still making music, and has just released a new album full of collaborations with pop music elites. And the excesses of his past have taught him an important lesson on humility. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:59:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-techno-dj-westbam-new-album-features-pop-collaborations-a-896516.html Techno as both a musical genre and cultural movement is largely passé. So what's a lifetime DJ like Westbam, one of the earliest impresarios of the German techno scene, to do? He's still making music, and has just released a new album full of collaborations with pop music elites. And the excesses of his past have taught him an important lesson on humility.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/star-german-rapper-bushido-accused-of-organized-crime-ties-a-896123.html#ref=rss Many have viewed the German rapper Bushido as an example of successful integration. Recent revelations about ties to an organized crime group in Berlin, however, have muddied the picture and reinforced widespread stereotypes. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:47:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/star-german-rapper-bushido-accused-of-organized-crime-ties-a-896123.html Many have viewed the German rapper Bushido as an example of successful integration. Recent revelations about ties to an organized crime group in Berlin, however, have muddied the picture and reinforced widespread stereotypes.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/study-german-reality-tv-talent-shows-cause-depression-a-896241.html#ref=rss A recent German study shows that some contestants on television talent shows like "The Voice of Germany" are so humiliated by the experience that they remain depressed for years. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:30:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/study-german-reality-tv-talent-shows-cause-depression-a-896241.html A recent German study shows that some contestants on television talent shows like "The Voice of Germany" are so humiliated by the experience that they remain depressed for years.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/nazi-book-burning-anniversary-erich-kaestner-and-the-nazis-a-894845.html#ref=rss Nearly 80 years ago, Nazi supporters burned German author Erich Kästner's work as smut. Unlike other condemned writers, he showed up to watch, and refused to leave the country during WWII. But he paid a price for this, ultimately giving in to self-censorship from which he never truly recovered. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/nazi-book-burning-anniversary-erich-kaestner-and-the-nazis-a-894845.html Nearly 80 years ago, Nazi supporters burned German author Erich Kästner's work as smut. Unlike other condemned writers, he showed up to watch, and refused to leave the country during WWII. But he paid a price for this, ultimately giving in to self-censorship from which he never truly recovered.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/richard-wagner-a-composer-forever-associated-with-hitler-a-892600.html#ref=rss Born 200 years ago, Germany's most controversial composer's music is cherished around the world, though it will always be clouded by his anti-Semitism and posthumous association with Adolf Hitler. Richard Wagner's legacy prompts the question: Can Germans enjoy any part of their history in a carefree way? Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:18:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/richard-wagner-a-composer-forever-associated-with-hitler-a-892600.html Born 200 years ago, Germany's most controversial composer's music is cherished around the world, though it will always be clouded by his anti-Semitism and posthumous association with Adolf Hitler. Richard Wagner's legacy prompts the question: Can Germans enjoy any part of their history in a carefree way?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/germany-sees-rising-interest-in-execution-site-archaeology-a-893747.html#ref=rss For years, few were interested in unearthing what lay beneath old gallows and scaffolds. But, in Germany, growing interest in "execution site archaeology" is throwing much light on how the executed died and the executors lived. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:15:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/germany-sees-rising-interest-in-execution-site-archaeology-a-893747.html For years, few were interested in unearthing what lay beneath old gallows and scaffolds. But, in Germany, growing interest in "execution site archaeology" is throwing much light on how the executed died and the executors lived.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/sociologists-document-rise-of-personalized-gravestones-in-germany-a-892809.html#ref=rss Two sociologists are documenting a growing trend in Germany's burial culture -- personalized and whimsical headstones, varying from the geeky to the erotic. In the age of Facebook, they are akin to a final personal profile, a person's last chance to establish who they were or wanted to be. Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:12:23 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/sociologists-document-rise-of-personalized-gravestones-in-germany-a-892809.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/bonn-museum-exhibit-explores-us-influence-on-postwar-germany-a-892679.html#ref=rss The US has had an enormous influence on postwar Germany, from pop culture to politics. But as America's focus turns away from Europe toward Asia, a museum in Bonn is taking stock of how that relationship has fared over the years. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:53:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/bonn-museum-exhibit-explores-us-influence-on-postwar-germany-a-892679.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/animal-rights-groups-criticize-justin-bieber-for-owning-pet-monkey-a-892325.html#ref=rss Justin Bieber mustn't be reunited with his baby monkey Mally, which should never have been separated from its mother at such a tender age, German animal rights groups said on Wednesday. One even accused him of animal cruelty and said the pet would grow up with "serious behavioral disorders." Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:39:34 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/animal-rights-groups-criticize-justin-bieber-for-owning-pet-monkey-a-892325.html Justin Bieber mustn't be reunited with his baby monkey Mally, which should never have been separated from its mother at such a tender age, German animal rights groups said on Wednesday. One even accused him of animal cruelty and said the pet would grow up with "serious behavioral disorders."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/pet-monkey-of-justin-bieber-remains-in-quarantine-in-munich-a-892002.html#ref=rss Justin Bieber's pet monkey Mally has been held in a Munich animal sanctuary for the last five days after being quarantined by German customs officials last Thursday. So far, the teen pop star hasn't reclaimed the 14-week-old baby, which is cheerful and eating well. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:43:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/pet-monkey-of-justin-bieber-remains-in-quarantine-in-munich-a-892002.html Justin Bieber's pet monkey Mally has been held in a Munich animal sanctuary for the last five days after being quarantined by German customs officials last Thursday. So far, the teen pop star hasn't reclaimed the 14-week-old baby, which is cheerful and eating well. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/what-ali-wore-an-unlikely-new-street-style-star-in-berlin-a-891928.html#ref=rss Ali, an 83-year-old tailor and father of 18 in Berlin, is now famous after a blog documenting his original street style went viral in recent days. SPIEGEL talks with photographer Zoe Spawton about how she discovered the senior sartorialist. Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:46:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/what-ali-wore-an-unlikely-new-street-style-star-in-berlin-a-891928.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/zdf-tv-miniseries-reopens-german-wounds-of-wwii-past-a-891332.html#ref=rss A miniseries that aired in Germany this month has enthralled viewers with its emotional portrayal of the role that average people played in WWII. Stripped of moral pretension, it also establishes a new, multigenerational milestone in the country's culture of remembrance. Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:39:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/zdf-tv-miniseries-reopens-german-wounds-of-wwii-past-a-891332.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/sexism-in-the-german-art-world-a-890378.html#ref=rss The art world is typically seen as open and progressive, even radical. But artists and curators in Germany say that, despite slow progress, the art scene is still plagued by widespread sexism and a conservative, macho culture. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/sexism-in-the-german-art-world-a-890378.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-1970s-craze-for-lederhosen-porn-from-bavaria-germany-a-889164.html#ref=rss Four decades ago, the southern German state of Bavaria became the birthplace of a film genre like no other. The alpine meadows were rugged, the men wore lederhosen, the porn was soft -- and Germany was hooked. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:17:44 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-1970s-craze-for-lederhosen-porn-from-bavaria-germany-a-889164.html Four decades ago, the southern German state of Bavaria became the birthplace of a film genre like no other. The alpine meadows were rugged, the men wore lederhosen, the porn was soft -- and Germany was hooked. ]]>