When Hamburg puts its best face forward, there’s always water involved, be it the Inner or Outer Alster Lake, the harbour and the waterways, or the Elbe River. Discover Germany visits the Hanseatic city by land and by sea.

Rwanda Looking for Reconciliation

Self-ironic, funny, entertaining…
How actor Til Schweiger, with KEINOHRHASEN, is making Germans laugh...

Germans are considered affluent and according to the German Central Bank, the country has a gold reserve of 50 billion euros; unfortunately the national debt is 1,500 billion euros. Michael Wigge goes out to see how average Germans are fairing financially, how they feel about their money and what they do or don’t do with it. He also takes a few tips from the stock exchange in Frankfurt am Main, examines his own reserves and passes out money on the street.

- Cresta Run
- Casual Concerts
- Retrospective: Ettore Sottsass
- Lacoste´s 75th Birthday
- Award Winning Architects
- Car Mascot Collector

One of our topics on TOMORROW TODAY this week: Extreme Nutrition - Food for extreme sportsmen has to be nutritious, lightweight and has to provide plenty of energy. We talk to sportsmen who consume those freeze-dried products, and the scientists who help to develop them.

Macedonian carnival - with political symbolism: the residents of the village Vevcani bury Greece's claim to the name "Macedonia". The Greeks insist on that name for their northern province - and are threatening to veto the Republic of Macedonia's bid to join the EU.

Michael Wigge is out and about once again in search of The Truth About Germany! This time he investigates the inventive side of the German Volk. Germans, after all, did invent the automobile, computer and MP3 player. Wigge travels to Munich to pay a visit to the European Patent Office. With 25,000 patents registered annually, Germany is the European champion! Curiously, over half of the registrations come from the state of Bavaria.

- Celtic Connections
- Polo Snow World Cup
- The Dessert Restaurant
- Collection of orange paper
- Martin Suter´s new Book
- The International Furnishing Show in Cologne

Idrija in Slovenia - once it was famous for its giant mercury mine. When the mine closed over 30 years ago, the people were left with nothing. But the establishment of new industries has given the city a new lease on life. Moving forward - a city re-invents itself!

The Breg River valley in the Black Forest is known for the tranquil beauty and solitary farmyards found in its enchanting countryside. But the valley has a lot more to offer, so Discover Germany went to have a look.

The Truth About Germany: Dogs

Germany is dog-crazy. People simply love dogs and our roving reporter Michael Wigge this time explores this theme in his continuing series about German clichés. Even though only 13 per cent of German households have a dog - putting Germany in 14th place re: dog ownership - the people are still known internationally as looking upon dogs very affectionately. And they spend more than two billion euros on them each year. We visit a wellness centre for dogs, a dog show and a dog salon...

- The Karajan Year
- Carnival in Cologne
- Valentino's Last Show
- Art Fakes Museum
- Tapas Bars in Barcelona
- Snowboard

The Bridgebuilder - Karl Cardinal Lehmann, Bishop of Mainz

04.02.2008

This summer the Bundeswehr will be sending in a group of 250 soldiers to replace Norwegian troops in Northern Afghanistan. The members of the Bundeswehr will be in a country that is at war and must expect hostile activity from the Taliban...

05.02.2008

Among the stories featured in this edition: What makes traders tick? Constantly under time pressure, they're often responsible for transactions involving 10-figure sums. MADE IN GERMANY on stock and currency dealers.

Nicosia - How do Greeks and Turks live in the divided capital of Cyprus? Is there a chance of reunification? A report from Nicosia.

Irresistable: Shah Rukh Khan is bringing Bollywood fever to the Berlinale and vibrant music documentaries are bringing the rock history to the big screen. The 58th International Film Festival in Berlin as it’s never been heard before.

The Truth About Germany: Carnival

Our continuing series on clichés about Germans deals this time with Germany’s so-called 5th season, carnival. Our roving reporter Michael Wigge asks his countrymen what their atttitude towards the merry and crazy tradition is and shows us what kind of costumes people come up with.

- Tecktonic
- "5 Minutes Later" Exhibition
- Wunderkind Alexander Prior
- Carnival on Tenerife
- Trend Colour White
- European Porcelain

10.02.2008

This time on TOMORROW TODAY we'll take you to Switzerland to look for traces of oil. Geologists know there are huge reserves of petroleum beneath the world's oceans. The primordial sediment layers that make up the Swiss Alps will tell them more about how deep-sea oil deposits are formed.

11.02.2008

Hamburg prepares to go to the polls. In two weeks, the Hanseatic city will be holding state elections. So far, none of the major parties can claim a clear lead. Hamburg’s prominent politicians, battling for votes.

12.02.2008

One of our topics this week: Wage Demands - What is Fair?
The order books for many Germany companies are full these days. Profits are healthy. And that has trade unions demanding a bigger share of the pie for workers. A share they haven't received in recent years.

Her day is long - her job is hard: Larissa Karibova is a trolley-bus driver in Moscow. With an electrically powered omnibus, she helps keep the metropolis moving. For Larissa Karibova, it's a dream job even in ice and snow.

Film history at the Berlin International Film Festival: the documentary Reverse Angle looks back at the young German cinema of the nineteen-sixties and seventies.

Films in contention, stars in the limelight. The competition for the Golden Bear – and audience approval. The 2008 Berlin International Film Festival – favourites, winners, highlights.

The Truth About Germany: Snow;

Every week, roving reporter Michael Wigge finds out more about The Truth About Germany. This time around he looks at how true the image of Germany as a snow-covered winter wonderland really is. Not very, is the conclusion he comes to, especially not in his native Rhineland where it often doesn't snow at all.

- Snow Kayaking
- Art Department
- Store Falco Film
- German Artist Eberhard Havekost
- Sabine Meyer: Grammy Nominee
- Baby Buggy Exhibition

17.02.2008

This week, we'll pay a visit to a high school in Heidelberg with a very unusual curriculum: pupils there are studying something you don't usually find in the schoolbooks. The topic - Lady Luck.

18.02.2008

Stem Cell Research - How far may scientists go to heal diabetes or Parkinsons disease using embryonic stem cells? German policy-makers across the political spectrum are deeply divided on the issue...

19.02.2008

One of our topics this week in MADE IN GERMANY:
Tax Scandal - What are Germany's managers up to?

Vladimir Putin:
He's been president of Russia for 8 years. Now his time in office is coming to an end. He's achieved a lot for his country, and he's also drawn sharp criticism.
Vladimir Putin – a man of many faces, who is loathe to relinquish the reins of power.

Goethe’s verses are being newly interpreted...
Jens Thomas – an unusual ambassador of German poetry.

Although they worked in the shadows of their male colleagues – they were masters of light...
Women impressionists at the Schirn Kunsthalle in Frankfurt

The Truth About Germany: Clubs;

The German constitution guarantees citizens the right to free assembly. But many Germans seem to think, getting together in organized groups is compulsory. Germans love clubs so much they've founded a grand total of 594 thousand 277 of them. That's one for every 138 citizens and that makes Germany undisputed world champion of clubbing. Wigge heads for club stronghold Hessen to find out why Germans are club crazy.

- Music for Children
- Young British Star Designer
- Fettfilm Video Art
- Coffee Olympics
- Zucchero's New Album
- Alpine Photographer

24.02.2008

This week on TOMORROW TODAY: During hibernation, some animals exhibit changes in the brain similar to those observed in humans with Alzheimers disease. But when a hamster wakes up, its nerve cells regenerate. Scientists are trying to find out how the animals regain their ability to learn - with a view to helping Alzheimers patients.

25.02.2008

Europe has a new country: Kosovo!
For many years, Germany has been engaged in the region. By recognizing Kosovo, the Germans are now also assuming a big responsibility...
The aim: the peaceful development of the Balkans.

26.02.2008

Among the stories featured in this edition: What makes traders tick? Constantly under time pressure, they're often responsible for transactions involving 10-figure sums. MADE IN GERMANY on stock and currency dealers.

Spain's conservatives have turned abortion into an election issue. Public clinics often refuse to perform abortions - for reasons of conscience. Private clinics do perform them, but women and doctors there are often exposed to protests from abortion opponents...

Frankfurt – an international city in the heart of Germany. For those with time to leave the airport, there’s certainly plenty to discover. Frankfurt’s city centre was designed by Europe’s most celebrated architects; there are impressive art museums and, of course, regional culinary delights

Charm, stage presence and a voice that’s beyond compare: Jonas Kaufmann on his way to becoming a star tenor …
and:
It was the worst maritime disaster in German history: The sinking of the Gustloff – now the subject of a major television movie.

The Truth About Germany: Organic Trend

In another installment about German habits - perceived and real - our roving reporter Michael Wigge looks at the German obsession for health food. In the last 10 years the consumption of organic food has gone from 1.5 billion euros to 4.5 billion. But why this mania? Our man travels to the biggest health food market place in Europe - located in Berlin - to find out!

- White Turf St. Moritz
- Milano Fashion Show
- Sebastian Vettel
- Singer Leona Lewis
- Myth Tempelhof

Emergency Pastoral Care -
Preparation for a Pandemic

02.03.2008

This week's edition of TOMORROW TODAY focuses on European space travel. A new kind of transport vessel is due to set off on its maiden voyage in early March. Its primary task: to supply the International Space Station with essential provisions, including food, equipment and air.

03.03.2008

Choosing political partners in Germany. The Christian Democrats like the Liberals and the Social Democrats mainly work with the Greens...
But voters feel differently and have brought the Left Party onto the political stage. It seems old alliances are at an end.
Now what?

04.03.2008

In this edition: Both 27-year-old Ann Christin Hahn and 23-year-old Michaela Aurenz belong to a generation that doesn't demand special treatment as women. They don't consider building a career a question of gender. They both have degrees in business and run companies.

Champagne:
It’s synonymous with luxury –and good business.
As international demand increases, more land may now be used for vine cultivation. There’s excitement among the region’s farmers: Who will belong to the exclusive club of Champagne –wine-growers?

The Truth about Germany: Busy Body;

This week Michael Wigge challenges the German clichee of being control freaks. The complaint hotline gets approx. 155,000 tattle tale calls a year. In Cologne, every 5th inhabitant annually calls the authorities to rat on his/her fellow men/women on average. Psychologist Stephan Grünewald tries to explain this peculiar behaviour. Finally, Wigge will show us when Germans actually lose control.

- 12 Cellists in Moscow
- Space Food
- Porzellanikum
- Professional Mountaineers
- Val d'Aran
- Technological Art in Wolfsburg

09.03.2008

In this week's edition of TOMORROW TODAY: We get taller and taller. Today's average European measures about 1,80 meter, or 5’10 foot. But 100 years ago, Europeans were around 15 centimeters smaller. Humankind as a whole is getting taller. But why?

10.03.2008

11.03.2008

In this week's edition of MADE IN GERMANY: German mechanical engineering is booming. Equipment from Germany is sold all over the world. The "made in Germany" label is an important motor for domestic economic growth.

The old Jewish quarter in Budapest... More and more building projects are endangering the cultural heritage here. But resistance is forming against the plans of the property developers. The citizens action group “Óvás” is fighting to preserve the Jewish quarter.

MEMORY, RESPONSIBILITY AND THE FUTURE –

The Goethe Institute has held its second annual short film festival, featuring movies from around the world. This year's theme was the international charter of human rights.

OSSIS' ELEVEN –

A crime comedy about a group of small-time crooks who are a few doughnuts short of a dozen. They plan a caper to steal a fortune in old Deutsche Mark coins.

ACCORDING TO THE PLAN

– A tragicomedy about three sisters who battle minor and major catastrophes as they plan their mother's birthday party.

ABSURDISTAN

– Director Veit Helmer used amateur actors and shot in Kazakhstan for his off-center fairytale about a group of women who impose a sex ban until their husbands fix the village water pipes.

The Leipzig Bookfair – the annual spring gathering for those in the business.
ARTS.21 recommends:
An old man and a young love - Martin Walser and his celebrated novel on Goethe...

AND:

Generation 40 and the GDR - Two authors and their personal views on Socialism...

The Truth about Germany: The Black Forest;

Every week Michael Wigge investigates The Truth About Germany for euromaxx, roving around the country to find out how true the clichées are and to discover what Germany is really like. The Black Forest boasts some 7.5 million overnight stays a year with about two million of those clocked up by tourists from abroad. Black Forest crafts like cuckoo clocks and specialities like Black Forest gateau and Black Forest smoked ham are world famous. Wigge gets to the bottom of the charm of the Black Forest.

- Astrophotographer Sebastian Voltmer
- The Dolomites
- Star DJ David Guetta
- Living with Wood
- Europe's New Destinations
- The Bath Collector

In this edition: The heart – its beats set the tempo of our lives. But a defect in one of its valves can quickly make invalids of young children in particular. Stefan Jockenhövel is developing a prosthetic valve that grows with the body because it’s made of the patient’s own tissue.

A year of development work abroad: Helping out, -and discovering another culture! A project from Germany’s Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development... Designed to encourage young Germans, who want to roll up their sleeves abroad...

In this edition it's all about oil. The oil price is at a record high; one barrel of crude oil costs more than 100 dollars these days. MADE IN GERMANY goes to the oil wells and discusses the consequences.

Turmoil on the holy mountain of Athos: Northern Greek farmers are fighting to keep the land they’ve been working on for decades. For the autonomous monastic state is laying claim to several hectares of property, and has been negotiating secretly with the government. The farmers fear the property will be sold to make a quick buck.

The Truth about Germany: Football

Germany is one of the greatest football nations on earth. They won the World Cup in 1954, in 1974 and in 1990. Even their women have won the world cup! But is the passion for soccer shared by all Germans?

- Ice Music Festival
- Michael Caine
- Pianist Anna Vinnitskaja
- Nature Documentary Blockbusters
- Reality Check in Advertising and Fashion

The space suit – without it astronauts couldn’t survive for a second in space. Researchers have now revolutionized it, turning it into a highly sophisticated intelligent computer that controls all life-sustaining functions independently.

A master with the baton. An exceptional conductor and media savvy artist. Marking the 100th anniversary of Herbert von Karajan’s birth.

And:
Highly praised and extremely controversial. The Israeli sculptor Dani Karavan shows his work in Berlin.

The Truth About Germany: Volksmusik

And now you know a bit more about our Easter traditions here in Germany. But next up you can learn something else about this country. Our intrEpid reporter Michael Wigge, who is always trying to find out the truth about us Germans, he is on the road again. This time around he wants to find out why Germans love popular music. Do they? or is it just another cliché? Well, one thing is certain...millions of Germans refuse to go out when their favourite entertainers are on TV. Michael Wigge reveals more...

- Countertenor Jaroussky
- The world's best known flower show
- The end of Polaroid photos
- Rembrandt's most famous work "The Night Watch"
- Claudia Langer's website "Utopia"
- Johann Sebastian Bach´s new face

Contemporary art at unusual and well-known locations: The 5th Berlin Biennial

TOP 3

: "La Sylphide" – An enchanting romantic ballet production in Berlin

TOP 2

: German Interior Design – A new book features classic design pieces

TOP 1

: The German rock star is Back – Udo Lindenberg presents his latest album

Wealth Goes - Poverty Stays
Gold Mining in the Peruvian Andes

Light and Air
Sensuous, surprising, intelligent: The light artist Olafur Eliasson

TOP 3:

"Acoustic Shapes" – New music by Wolfgang Haffner, Germany's top jazz drummerBildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  

TOP 2:

"Hell on Earth" – Choreographer Constanza Macras with her new work in Berlin

TOP 1:

Charlotte Roche – Her intimate autobiographical novel "Feuchtgebiete", which roughly translates as "moist regions", is number 1 on the German bestseller list.

In this edition of TOMORROW TODAY: training the next generation. In the German town of Ingelheim, a company is helping to infect children with curiosity. The so-called 'Knowledge Factory' is aimed at inspiring kids to pursue careers in engineering and the natural sciences.

What do German students learn about Poland? What do Polish students know about Germany? Historians are trying to overcome clichés and tell the whole story by developing the first joint German-Polish textbook.

In this edition it's all about Japan, the offical partner of this year's Hanover Trade Fair. MADE IN GERMANY with a special focus on the "country of the rising sun".

Change of leadership in Russia. Dmitri Medwedew will take over as president. His main goal: To modernize Russia. But how much influence does Putin’s protégée really have? The new man in the Kremlin...

Munich turns 850 years old! But the city along the Isar has more than just tradtion on offer – Munich is vibrantly young and full of life!

Dark visions in a large format: With surreal landscapes, Jonas Burgert impresses the international art scene.
Perfection of the highest order: The "Ernst von Siemens" music prize for Anne-Sophie Mutter.

TOP 3: Woman of the Week –

Alice Schwarzer receives the Ludwig Börne Prize on the 4th of May

TOP 2: Bunker Art –

The Boros collection in a new private museum in Berlin

TOP 1: "Keinohrhasen" –

6 million people have already seen what's currently the most successful film in Germany

The Truth About Germany: Techno

The Germans are commonly seen as the inventors of techno. Kraftwerk was a pioneer of this kind of music in the 70s and DJ’s like Sven Väth and Paul van Dyck helped establish techno internationally. The biggest techno party in the world, the Love Parade, is very much made in Germany. First held in Berlin in 1989 with 150 ravers, the 2007 Love Parade boasted 1.2 million visitors and was held in the Ruhr Valley. But why are the Germans so mad on techno? Wigge takes a techno DJ crash course in Frankfurt and gets Techno guru Sven Väth to explain the hype.

euromaxx highlights

- Menuhin Competition

- The Atomium Turns 50

- Salone del Mobile

They are searching for the biggest secrets of the cosmos in the world of the tiniest particles: Brilliant scientists - following in the footsteps of the great physicist, Max Planck.

German Jews in Israel – Thousands fled from the Nazis to Palestine. Their German mentality made them outsiders - and they were called “Jeckes”. Starting anew in a foreign country was difficult – a museum in Israel has documented their moving story.

In this edition: Power struggle at Volkswagen. For months now the dispute about employee participation is on. The VW-work council resists the new major share holder Porsche. They already talk of unfriendly take-over. MADE IN GERMANY with a background story from Wolfsburg.

Serbia ahead of parliamentary elections: At issue is the country's future Europe policy. The government and the Nationalists are anti–EU but liberal parties view a more western–leaning orientation as their hope for a better future. Choosing the course in Serbia.

Whether it's unspoilt nature or thatched roof cottages. A sailboat outing or a walk along the amber-strewn beaches. The Baltic peninsula Fischland-Darß-Zingst has something for everyone!

The highbrow world of opera meets urban life. Director Christoph Hagel is renowned for staging productions in unusual places. Now he produced Mozart’s „The Magic Flute“ in the Berlin Underground.

The Truth About Germany: Bread

Now, wherever Germans go on holiday in large numbers, you'll find a German bakery in the vicinity, or a local bakery that sells German style bread. Why is this?

euromaxx highlights

You Are My God; I Search for You - The Poetry of the Psalms

One breath and the truth is revealed: the breathalyser test. The method is now being used to detect dopers. A Swiss research team developed the trend setting procedure. The goal: fast results and efficiency.

According to the currenty poverty report, every fifth German family counts as poor. Surprising, considering that Gemany pours huge amounts of money into its social welfare programs. You can't really call it poverty, according to experts like Berlin's Minister of Finance, Thilo Sarrazin. Nevertheless the numbers of people technically under the poverty line are rising...

In this edition of MADE IN GERMANY, we visit a school for young entrepreneurs. The town of Pfarrkirchen in the southern state of Bavaria boasts Germany's first ever high school of its kind. Its students learn how to start a business, with the help of mentors from local companies.

Britain - A Blow for Labour
British voters have given the governing Labour party a hiding: in last week's local elections, Labour polled third, far behind the Conservatives, trailing even the Liberal Democrats.

Urbane elegance meets Rhineland lifestyle in Düsseldorf. The city is an artistic metropolis and business centre, a location for fashion and trade fairs. But more than anything, it’s a shoppers’ paradise.

The dark depths that lie beneath the scrubbed-clean facade of a small German town is the focus of HEAD UNDER WATER – the new film from Andreas Kleinert. The film is a mix of genres: coming of age, psycho thriller and black comedy...

IMPY'S ISLAND 2 –

The sequel to the hit animated movie, based on the classic children’s book by Max Kruse

SUMMER –

The teen love story that’s number one on the German box office

Who's in, who's out? –

The Germans and their films in Cannes

Bold visions, prestigious projects, spectacular structures: German architects around the world. Our series - "The Master Builders".

The Truth About Germany: Ecological Awareness

euromaxx highlights

- Concorso d'Eleganza

- European Fine Wine Magazine

- Dresscode

- Musician Bob Ross

- Chocolate Bar in Strasbourg

In this edition of TOMORROW TODAY: Dengue Fever. 50 Million people fall ill from dengue fever each year - and more than 20,000 die. Until recently dengue fever appeared mostly in sub-tropic and tropic regions, but it's spreading all the time.

The Hainich Forrest in Thuringia – the largest deciduous forest in Germany. The diversity of species is to be restored here and allowed to develop naturally. The perservation of animal and plant species is the topic at the UN Conference on Biological Diversity in Bonn.

In this edition of MADE IN GERMANY: Construction boom in Latvia. The construction business is booming in the new EU country, especially in Riga, the country's capital, where predominantly office buildings and condominiums are being built.

Big changes are underway on the autonomous Channel Island of Sark. Europe’s last bastion of feudalism will soon hold its first democratic elections: ending the age of feudal lords and creating a parliament. This step towards the modern era is dividing the small community.

Falling into disrepair when the Berlin Wall fell 18 years ago, the eastern German city of Görlitz has become a show-piece cultural and architectural jewel of Germany and a testament to the power of restoration...

The contemporary art scene in Israel: A creative balancing act between political conflict and daily life. An exhibition in Frankfurt/Main displays young, critical art from Israel.

The Truth About Germany: Knighthood

We continue our search for The Truth About Germany with roving reporter Michael Wigge. There are lots of medieval castles in Germany and in fact the middle ages are a big money spinner with medieval markets banqurts and jousting tournaments staged throughout the country. Wigge heads for a medieval market in the Rhineland to see just how well he would have made out as a knight in shining armour back in the Middle Ages

euromaxx highlights

16.000 plant and animal species are in danger of extinction – securing their survival is vitally important for the future of our planet. How can endangered species be saved? Researchers all over the world are looking for answers.

Crowded day-care facilities, over-worked child minders - in Germany there are not enough places available and too few qualified personnel. And the communities are low on money... Now, parents are mobilizing against the chaos in childcare centres...

One of the subjects in the next edition:
Preparations for the 2010 soccer World Cup in South Africa are well underway. Some experts believe German firms might end up earning more in South Africa than they did when Germany hosted the World Cup in 2006.

A bitter struggle for freedom of speech in Belarus. critical journalism is banned, independent radio stations are being shut down. Musicians are being persecuted.
Everyday life in Europe’s last dictatorship.

Berlin – a multifaceted city.
Lively,
Fast,
Magnificent,
Surprising,
Unusual.
Unmistakably … Berlin.

A galerist breaks new ground… Judy Lybke at the International Film Festival in Cannes.

Germany and China – moving ahead together. A German cultural project visits in Chongqing.

euromaxx highlights

The Truth About Germany: Fairy Tales

In this installment of roving reporter Michael Wigge's quest for the truth about Germany, he explores why Germans are so good at fairy tales. Just look at the Brothers Grimm whose book on fairy tales is the most widely read German cultural book in the world and translated into more than 160 languages and dialects. Wigge visits the Fairy Tale Park "Frau Holleland", and goes to Polle, the alleged home of Cinderella.

This edition of TOMORROW TODAY focuses on flying. The Berlin Air Show, ILA runs from May 27th to June 1st - for us an occasion to feature aviation in the show.

Coalition Controversy over Re-election of the President.
For the first time in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, an incumbent president is to face a challenger for his office. University professor Gesine Schwan has been selected as the Social Democrats' candidate to compete against Horst Köhler. Her candidacy has triggered coalition tension.

The Andechs monastery in Bavaria is more than just a Catholic place of pilgramage. Thanks to its brewery it has become a globally-recognised brand. MADE IN GERMANY takes a closer look at the monks and their brew.

Hobby footballers on their way to the UEFA cup. It’s possible in Luxemburg: SC Grevenmacher, a small club - packing an international punch with 11 Germans along to help the amateur club qualify. And take in the rarified air of Pro football!

"La Paloma"
This song has been recorded, rearranged and reinterpreted across the globe - from Cuba to Zanzibar to Germany.

• TOP 3:

• TOP 2:

• TOP 1:

The Truth About Germany: Hiking

Nobody hikes like the germans. On the weenends, up to two million hikers and nature lovers retreat to the wild green yonder. But what spurs them on through sleet and rain to thoug it out with Mother Nature?

euromaxx highlights