Page 26 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

24  INTRODUCING GERM AN Y A POR TR AIT OF GERM AN Y  25

legends. This poem was the inspiration for
Richard Wagner’s cycle of operas, The Ring of
the Nibelungen, as well as for a trilogy of
plays by Christian Friedrich Hebbel and a
film by Fritz Lang.
Germans have won eight Nobel Prizes
for literature. One of the most recent
prize-winner was Günter Grass, whose
Tin Drum brought him world renown.
More recently a film adaptation of the
book was made by Volker Schlöndorff, The historical Frohnauer hammer forge near
which won the Golden Palm at the Annaberg in Saxony
Cannes Film Festival. After a relatively
stagnant period, the German film industry fact that, in the past, local dukes acquired
Procession during the Plärrer Fest, a beer festival in Augsburg became revitalized around 1995 with a collections of art in order to impress
number of hits, albeit only at the national others and to demonstrate their wealth.
Traditions festival that brings millions of people to level. German cinemas are now always full The Bavarian dukes also built up
Today’s German nation has evolved over the Munich every year from all over the world. and traditional cinemas are increasingly extensive collections of machines,
past thousand years, mainly from various The people of the Rhineland have a being replaced by multiplexes. artisans’ tools, musical instruments
Germanic tribes, notably the Franks, Saxons, reputation for enjoying life. Their favourite Germans read widely, even in today’s and minerals. As early as the
Swabians and Bavarians. Traditions and season is the Carnival period, and they age of television and the internet. Every 16th century, Munich was an
dialects have developed within regional spend practically the entire year preparing year around 75,000 new books are international centre of the arts
ethnic groups that emerged as a result for this week-long event. It begins on the published in Germany and eight and the Grünes Gewölbe in
of historical alliances. There is no such thing last Thursday before Lent, with “town times that many titles are on sale. 17th-century Dresden was one
as a single German tradition. Even the soldiers”, helped by the huge crowds, Germany is second only to the of the largest treasuries for storing
assumption that Germany is a country of storming the town hall. The town coun- United States in the number of fine art in Europe. Of the many
beer-drinkers is belied by the large numbers cillors surrender and power passes to books published annually, while art galleries to be found through-
of wine-lovers. These groups, along with the masked revellers. On the Monday, the the number of bookshops per out Germany, the finest are in
consumers of stronger beverages, have Carnival proceeds through the thronged square kilometre is the Cologne, Frankfurt, Stutt gart,
given Germany a high position in the world streets of the towns on the Rhine, and the highest in the world. The Lorelei overlooking the Rhine Munich and Berlin.
league table for alcohol use. Nevertheless, pubs are busy until the end of Shrovetide. same applies to museums Music also flourishes
drunkenness is uncommon in Germany. Carnival is rooted in ancient rituals and art galleries. in Germany. Many cities have their
Various ethnic marking the banishment of winter. This Germany has over 6,000 national, own symphony orchestra and opera
groups in the country custom was most common in the south provincial and local history museums, company and every year some 600
are ascribed different of Germany, but it also reached the including numerous church museums, regional and local music festivals
characteristics. The Rhineland, the Palatinate and Hessen. folk museums and former royal palaces. take place. Musical comedies are
people of Mecklenburg, When the German government moved This variety and choice owes much to the especially popular.
for example, are seen as back to Berlin from Bonn in the Rhineland
introspective, while in 1999, attempts were made to establish
Swabians are regarded as Carnival in the new capital, but it never
thrifty; the Saxons are seen as really took root.
disciplined and cunning, while
Bavarians are typified as a Art and Culture
people bound by rustic Germany is a land of sagas and legends that
traditions, with outgoing tell of woodland spirits, beautiful princesses,
personalities and a history magicians and sirens such as the Lorelei.
filled with folk music and These legends have had a strong influence
dancing. Bavaria, of course, is on German art. An example is the German
home to the traditional epic poem, the Nibelungenlied, which was
A Bavarian dressed in
regional costume Oktoberfest, a beer written around 1200 on the basis of old The imposing Schönburg Castle, near Oberwesel on the Rhine

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