ART & CULTURE OF INDIA AND GERMANY
INDEX
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
CULTUREOF INDIA DANCES OF INDIA LAGUAGES SPOKEN IN INDIA FESTIVALS OF INDIA MONUMENTS OF INDIA ART AND CRAFT OF INDIA CULTUREOF GERMANY DANCES OF GERMANY LAGUAGES SPOKEN IN GERMANY FESTIVALS OF GERMANY MONUMENTS OF GERMANY ART AND CRAFT GERMANY
Culture of India
Indian culture is rich, diverse and unique in the whole world as the people in the country belong to different religions, castes, creed; speak different languages; enjoy different kind of cuisines. People belonging to different religions celebrate different festivals with great enthusiasm and zeal. The major religions followed within India are Hinduism (80%), Islam (14%), Christianity (2.4%), Sikhism (2%), Buddhism( 0.7%), Jainism (0.5%). The people belonging to different ethnic groups are IndoAryans(72%), Dravidians (25%) and Others(3%). There are hundreds of tribal communities. There are about 1600 languages spoken throughout the country. Indian culture is so diverse that it is very difficult to explain it. Every region and every state has a culture and
tradition of its own. Even in one single state different communities follow different customs. Every region has it own cuisine, clothing, language, etc. The appearances of the people too differ from one another depending on the region one belongs to. The diverse climate and the diverse landscape too plays a major role in the diverse culture of India. People belonging to different regions celebrate different festivals all round the year. Some of the important Hindu festivals celebrated are Holi, Diwali, Dussehra, Ganesh Utsav; Muslim festivals celebrated are Iid and Bakriid and the Christian festivals celebrated are Christmas, and Easter.
Germany has a rich and varied cultural, social, and political history. The geography, traditions and history of the country can be studied from a variety of perspectives and across several different disciplines. Certainly, geography teachers will teach about Germany as part of their study of Europe, but art teachers may choose to explore specific artists or movements from Germany as well. Social studies teachers will want to convey that the history of Germany was not only influenced by other nations, but also that Germany itself had a significant impact on world history. Germany was at the forefront of many art movements and its painters were often the leaders of new schools of thought and style. Students can research a German art movement like Der Blaue Reiter, Die Brucke, Bauhaus or Expressionism or they can research individual artists (Jean Arp, Max Ernst, Albrecht Durer, Ludwig Kirchner and Peter Bruegel). Germany also has a rich musical heritage.
German art has a long and distinguished tradition in the visual arts, from the earliest known work of figurative art to its current output of contemporary art. Germany has only been united into a single state since the 19th century, and defining its borders has been a notoriously difficult and painful process. For earlier periods German art often
effectively includes that produced in German-speaking regions including Austria, Alsace and much of Switzerland, as well as largely German-speaking cities or regions to the east of the modern German borders.
In Catholic parts of South Germany the Gothic tradition of wood carving continued to flourish until the end of the 18th century, adapting to changes in style through the centuries. Veit Stoss (d. 1533), Tilman Riemenschneider(d.1531) and Peter Vischer the Elder (d. 1529) were Drer's contemporaries, and their long careers covered the transition between the Gothic and Renaissance periods, although their ornament often remained Gothic even after their compositions began to reflect Renaissance principles.[19] Two and a half centuries later, Johann Joseph Christian and Ignaz Gnther were leading masters in the late Baroque period, both dying in the late 1770s, barely a decade before the French Revolution. A vital element in the effect of German Baroque interiors was the work of the Wessobrunner School, a later term for the stuccoists of the late 17th and 18th centuries. Another manifestation of German sculptural skill was in porcelain; the most famous modeller is Johann Joachim Kaendler of the Meissen factory in Dresden, but the best work ofFranz Anton Bustelli for the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich is often considered the greatest achievement of 18th century porcelain.[2
German is one of the most important cultural languages. It was spoken and written by Goethe, Mozart, Beethoven, Freud, Klimt and Einstein, and numerous other great artists and scientists. Many of the European culture have been written in the German language.
Literature (Goethe, Schiller, Thomas Mann, Kafka) Classical music (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart) Art (Kollwitz, Drer, Klee, Kaninsky) Psychology (Freud, Jung) Philosophy (Kant, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Benjamin, Adorno) Science (Einstein, Kepler, Rntgen, Planck, Virchow)
Literature: Germany is known as das Land der Dichter und Denker (The Land of Poets and Thinkers). Famous German poets include Goethe, Schiller and Heine. Poets in Jena and later in Berlin led Romanticism in the 19th century. Religious: The German government has limited responsibilities for culture, which is devolved to the states of Germany, called Lnder. Approximately 80% of the German population belong to a Christian denomination, of whom roughly half are Roman Catholic and half are Protestant that they have other Religious Food: German food varies from region to region, but concentrates on meat (especially sausage) and varieties of sweet dessert and Stollen (a fruit cake).Germans also are famous for rye bread. Germany also produces a large quantity of beer, and (mostly white) wine, particularly Riesling, but also Mller-Thurgau and other varieties. Tourism: It goes without saying that you gain more from a visit to a country if you can converse in their language and actually get to know the people rather than just conversing in English with your tour-guide. And as the Germans, Austrians and Swiss are well-known for their love of foreign travel, it makes sound commercial sense for people working in the tourist industry to meet them in their own language. The Style of People Life: Germans are not, contrary to stereotypes, stubborn. They are just argumentative. Things have to be logical to them or they will argue about it until they find the logic. Now that logic does not have to be based in physics or math, but it does have to fit with their view of what is the correct way to live. For example, they know instinctively that drafts cause colds and therefore drafts are bad. They only accept modern medicines finding that bugs cause colds with the part of their brain that has nothing to do with behavior. They like ventilation in their homes, just not when they are in the room, Germans are passionate about lifestyle and politics an expensive combination from a societal perspective.
Festivals& Eventsin Germany
Germany has been hosting a number of fairs and festivals and the place is immensely popular for all the events that Germany hosts. There are quite a handful of events held here in Germany and the neighboring places like Frankfurt and other places. The events are as follows: Berlin FilmFestival Berlin Film Festival is a very important festival and is held in Berlin and is regarded as one of world's most glamorous event and sees visitors from all over the world coming here and it is held every year in February and the fair has been held since 1951. The jury compromises representatives from all over the world. The premieres of the films are held in the Berlin ale Palast. Oktoberfest Oktoberfest is held in Munich every year at the end of September or early October. This is a famous festival that celebrates beer. This is specially made and is different both in flavor and alcohol content of the usual variety of beer. People from all over the world come to participate in the event and there are Beer Tents set up where people gather to enjoy and have a nice time together. Berlin LoveParade Berlin Love Parade is a very important festival and the event dates back to 1989 and it intends to promote peace, love and international understanding through music. The parade takes place in the middle of July. The parade is characterized by open roof trucks that usually represent the local clubs. One would also find DJs playing the console for the general crowd gathered here. Berlin Marathon This event takes place during late September and the Marathon course is the fastest Race Course and the Marathon takes place in various parts and the marathon sees participation from a mixed crowd like children,
wheel chair riders and proper runners. Many athletes from all over the world come here to take part in the marathon and also have a nice time here.
Carnivalin Germany The festival is also called Mardi Gras and sees a large parade with people dressed in colorful attires and donning colorful masks. This was originally a Pagan festival but recently the event has changed its character and has gone on to include some Christian ele3mts and the festival also sees some representation of political satires and the event takes place during February. FrankfurtBookFair This is a very important fair and is held in Frankfurt annually. The fair sees the coming together of publishers, book sellers and other people in the publishing fraternity. The Frankfurt Book Fair is held for 5days with about 6,700 exhibitors and 270,000 visitors come here.
MusicandDancein Germany
If you want to experience Germany in the true sense, you must immerse yourself into their rich culture and tradition. Viewing Germany through the cultural prism is an experience in itself. So, buy the ballet tickets or the tickets to an opera concert.
Musicin Germany: Music is the life and blood of Germany. Most of the famous musicians and composers, over the ages have been from Germany. The German musical legacy holds the tunes of Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Richard Wagner and many more. Wagner, Strauss, Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Brahms, Schumann, Handel, Telemann etc. are some of the composers of international repute, hailing from Germany. With around one hundred and forty one professional orchestras, the country has the fifth largest music market in the world. Some of the famous orchestras in Germany are - the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig, Berlin and Munich Philharmonic orchestras etc. From classical to romantic, pop to rock, Germany shines as a pearl in the western music scenario.
Dancein Germany: Dance is very popular in Germany and is entrenched in German culture from the very beginning. With more than two hundred and fifty ballet companies and over sixteen hundred dancers employed by theaters, Germany is well renowned for its performing arts. You can find innumerable freelancers and choreographers performing at various venues both within and outside the country. German dancing scenario is dominated by the traditional classical approach as well as the modern expressionist approach. In the traditional circuit you can find world renowned ballet masters such as John Neumeier whose high aestheticism and great intensity has enabled them to gain this status. At the flip side of German dancing scene, stand the dance theaters or the Tanztheater. With its roots in the expressionist dance of 1920s and the political street theater of the 1960s, the Tanztheater has become a famous dance form. Some eminent performers of this dance form are- Johann Kresnik and Sasha Waltz from Berlin and Pina Bausch of Wuppertal.
Arts and Craftsin Germany
Germany has been famous for its arts and crafts the world over for centuries.The history of arts and crafts in Germany is a glorious chapter of the larger history of European High Culture. German artists have enjoyed the praise of the world in different centuries. During the Renissance period, there were several important German artists including Durer and Grunewald. Friedrich is a key figure in the
period of High German Romanticism. Later, in the history world art, Surrealism became a very important movement amd the German artist Ernst was a leading exponent of the Surrealist movement in art. German handicrafts are famous all over the world and are in great demand for their painstakingly crafted intricate decorations and colorful styles. In ancient times German crafts used to be organised in guilds and the process of becoming a craftsman involved being a Lehrling (apprentice) for some time with the Meister (master) and traveling on Walz from town to town getting employed temporarily with different Meister. The remnants of these practices still survive in some parts of Germany and the German are proud of their arts and crafts tradition. The Christmas markets of Germany are especially noted for the wide range of traditional German handicrafts.You can get everything from traditional German angels and nutcrackers to smokers here. These items make great gifts too. Best of all, Christmas markets in Germany are open all round the year, so you can shop any time of the year! Handcrafted clocks, beer steins, figurines, music boxes and woodcarvings are famous German handicrafts known the world over. Kathe Wohlfahrts in the medieval city of Rothenburg is one of the most famous Grman Christmas markets. The Crystal Road and The Porcelain Road are other important crafts centers in Germany selling a wide variety of crafts including the handmade figurines called Hummel figurines. Devised as paintings of children by a German nun, you can now buy these Hummel figurines at the Goebel factory. Zwiesel is a great place for delicate glass sculptures. Soligen knives crafted by Germans are famous too and are considered the best cutlery in the world.
Architectureof Germany
The High Culture of Europe has has profoundly influenced the architecture of Germany. A wide variety of architectural styles developed in Germany, right from the time of Charlemagne to the period after World War II. The period since 800 AD is the Carolingian period in German architecture, typified by mosaics, colorful miniatures of Carolingian art and bright illuminations. The Carolingian style is most impressively showcased by the huge ceilings, doors and walls of the chapels and churches in Germany. You can see the influences of the flamboyant, ornate Carolingian style in the design of the Church of St Michael, the palace at Aachen and in the works of the Mainz goldsmiths. Later, the Gothic style had a very important influence in the architecture of Germany and some of the best of Germanys sculptors and architects have used the Gothic style in the churches and cathedrals of Cologne and Munich. Along with the Gothic style, another style that developed at the same time was the Romaneseque style, evident in the frescoes of Salzburg Cathedral. Important precursors to the Romanesque architectural style include the Carolingian and Ottonian styles. The Baroque style in the seventeenth century is seen in the miniature statues of Meissen and Germany made a great contribution to the Gothic movement in architecture that spread all over Europe. From Nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century is the period of German Expressionism and Realism. The architectural style called Realism is greatly evident in German architecture and sculpture In the early modern period, Germany again became an important leading force in European architecture.Walter Gropius established the famous school of German architecture called Bauhaus movement. Staatliches Bauhaus was the famous art and architecture school in Germany that tried to, in the words of Gropius, go into buildings, endow them with fairy taleswithout regard for technical difficulty. This school of German architecture tried to create a link between art and industry. The Bauhaus movement in architecture spread for a brief period to the United States and became a leading influence in Modernist architectural design, including in furniture design.
Languagesin Germany
Germany is a country located in the Western Central part of Europe. Germany enjoys the status of being the worlds third largest economy. The people in Germany speak a variety of languages. Each state, each province has its different dialect and also often, they are completely different from each other. The official language of Germany is of course Germany itself and over 95% of the people living in Germany use it as their first language. Other popularly spoken languages are Sorbian, North Frisian, Danish, Romani, Kurdish and Turkish.
Some details about the languages spoken in Germany:
The German language as spoken today is a mix of various dialects, culled from central, southern and northern districts. The Germans often speak the standard language with the accent that is typical of his native district.
The Danish language is mostly spoken in the Northern parts of the Germany. Though spoken mainly in Denmark, it is also the tongue of many people living in Schleswig Holstein. Also, it is one of the official languages of the European Union.
The North Frisian language, spoken by the minority in North Frisia, has two dialectical divisions - the dialect of the mainland and the dialect of the insular districts.
More than two million Turkish-speaking people live in Germany. The language originates in Turkey and had been carried to Germany by the immigrants.
Kurdish language is an Iranian language and belongs to a place called Kurdistan. There are only a few people in Germany who speak this language.
The Sorbian language is the native language of the Sorbs. There are again two varieties of Sorbian language: the Upper Sorbian and the Lower Sorbian. The people in Saxony mostly speak the Upper Sorbian.
Romani is often referred to as the language of the Gypsies and consequently the speakers of this language widespread and stateless. There are a very few people in Germany belonging to this tribe who use this language
Art Cologne
Art Cologne is a major art festival of Germany, which clearly highlights the country's love for the arts. You can come to this festival and take a look at the numerous paintings and other forms of art displayed over here. Art Cologne, Germany is an annual art fair, which is held in the city of Cologne in Germany. Held during the month of November, the art fair was first held in the year 1967. Running for almost forty years now, this festival brings together the art dealers from all across the world to showcase their magnificent collection. The entire fair lasts for nearly six days. One can say nearly 180 to 250 art dealers from all across the globe come participate in the Art Cologne festival in Germany. You can come to the Art Cologne in Germany and take a look at the paintings of some of the master painters of the world. The fair is visited by a large number of art dealers, curators, artists and art lovers from all across the world. The visitors get an opportunity to admire some of the best talents of the world over
here. You can just take a look at the master creations or buy one of them. It is one the best art fairs of the country. A large number of supporting programs are also held during the festival celebrations. These include award ceremonies, seminars and discussion forums and sometimes even art workshops. In the year 2006, special, programs like Art Cologne Walks was held over here. In the same year, the festival celebrated its fortieth anniversary by organizing an exhibition. A large number of art museums also participate in this art fair. Some of the major museums that participated in this fair include Max Ernst Museum in Brunh, ARP Museum in Rolandseck, The New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York and others. For the year 2007, the festival will be held from the 18th to the 22nd of April. It will open at 12 noon and close at 8:00 p.m. Entry to the festival is not free of cost. Art Cologne, Germany is a fabulous festival that one can attend. It is one of the first art fairs of the world, which still attracts millions of visitors with its unique collection and displays.
Entertainmentin Germany
If you are looking for entertainment in Germany, then you need not worry at all. The country offers innumerable recreation options that will not only keep you busy during your vacations but will also provide you with hours of fun and enjoyment. One of the best ways to seek entertainment in Germany is by watching an opera show in any of the opera houses of the country. The country is known for its fantastic opera shows. You can go to the Semperoper or the Hamburg State Opera and watch a ballet performance or a musical theatre. These colorful and musical shows are fabulous and worth watching. You can also go to the cinema halls and watch a movie with your family. Another way of seeking entertainment in Germany is by attending the festivals of the country. A large number of art and cultural festivals are organized over here like the Art Cologne and the International Fireworks Competition. You can come to these fairs and festivals and enjoy yourself. In these festivals you g to hear traditional German music and go on the numerous joy rides. You can also take your family to the Warner Bros Movie World. Located in Ruhr Valley, this is a great place to spend the day with your family. Embarking on sports and other recreation activities is another way of seeking entertainment in Germany. You can go for water sport or land sports over here. Some of the exciting sports that you can go for include sailing, parasailing, skiing, tennis, golf, yachting, jet skiing and other games. For extra fun and adventure you can go for white water rafting or canoeing also. For an evening filled with fun, frolic and entertainment in Germany, you can pay a visit to the nightclubs, pubs and casinos. Here you can try out the drinks and dance to the tune of your favorite music. Finding entertainment in Germany is simple and easy. With so many recreation options, you can be assured that you will not get bored during your holidays in this country.
