Das große Sprachfest in Berlin!

In the organizer's words:

We celebrate language!

The Goethe-Institut is 75 years old and we want to celebrate in style! To mark the occasion, we are organizing a big language festival under the motto "We celebrate language" at the Goethe-Institut Berlin.

On June 27 we will open our doors from 13:00 to 21:00 and welcome you with a varied program. Among other things, you can attend panel discussions with Olga Grjasnowa, Yoko Tawada, Prof. Dr. Roland Kaehlbrandt and M. Tuan Nguyen, exchange ideas on the topic of migration experiences in the forum and be inspired by Evgenia Gostrer's animated short film and readings by Kefah Ali Deeb and Imad Al Suliman, as well as get active yourself in various workshops on language learning. Other artistic highlights include a performance by the Berlin band "Il Civetto" and improv comedy by the LUX Theater.

Come along and celebrate the importance of language with us!

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Highlights of the day at a glance

Forum: Beyond words - telling migration experiences
Time: 13:30-16:00
Evgenia Gostrer (animated film artist), Imad Al Suliman (author) and Kefah Ali Deeb (author and visual artist) have taken this path themselves: from a homeland to a new country, from a mother tongue to the German language world. In their own unique way, they talk about their migration experiences through literature, short films and writing workshops. They will be happy to talk to you personally in the forum.

Panel discussion: Skilled workers wanted - but not too complicated, please! How immigration really works.
Time: 14:00-15:30
Demographic change is presenting Germany with enormous structural challenges. Immigration from abroad is therefore a key issue for the future for politics, business and society. What are the experiences of immigrants and companies? What opportunities are open to those interested in training on their way to Germany? What support services do institutions such as the Goethe-Institut offer?

Concert: Il Civetto
Time: 15:30-17:00
Il Civetto is a Berlin band that began with jam sessions in underground and suburban train stations and has since conquered festival stages all over Europe. Their music is an eclectic mix of profound lyrics and rhythms that put you in a good mood. The young band is convinced that music also connects people across languages.

Panel discussion: Why do we still learn foreign languages today?
Time: 17:15-18:45
How languages change our world view.
What languages do to our self-image.
What languages are good for.

Discuss with the authors Olga Grjasnowa and Yoko Tawada and the linguist and author Prof. Dr. Roland Kaehlbrandt.

Performance: Improtheater LUX
Time: 19:30-21:00
Learning a foreign language is fraught with pitfalls. Linguistic and cultural misunderstandings are inevitable. This is exactly what the LUX Theater takes up with a wink and transforms it with the help of impulses from the audience into skillful comedy improvisation that unites people in laughter.

Language learning workshops

Workshop: Speak-Dating
Time: 13:30-15:00 & 15:30-17:00
8 languages in 10 minutes: At our Speak-Dating you will get to know different languages in short, personal conversations with native speakers. Whether you introduce yourself in Finnish, try out a tongue twister in Hindi or count to ten in Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian - here you will get a first impression of the special features of different languages in a playful and relaxed way.

Workshop: Learning to teach German in 10 minutes - is that possible?
Time: 13:30-17:00
Learning to teach German in 10 minutes - is it possible?
Try it out! At this hands-on station, you can test your skills as a language coach and find out how to explain a German word in an understandable way. With simple tricks from the teacher training course, you will soon realize: Good language teaching is not magic!

Workshop: The AI elevator
Time: 13:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00
Attention! When you enter the elevator, you leave the world of direct communication and enter the sphere of machine-controlled conversations. Can we talk about complex topics in different languages with the help of artificial intelligence? Do we return to the analog world with inspiring impressions when we leave the AI elevator? Or are we left with a feeling of confusion and irritation? Experience it for yourself and join us on a journey to new horizons.

Workshop: Discover everyday life and work in Germany with VR
Time: 13:00-19:30
What are VR glasses and what does the world feel like through these lenses? Our virtual exploration tour through life and work in Germany offers you real-life insights into various training occupations, job interviews, visits to the authorities and everyday situations. This allows anyone who is new to Germany to practise daily challenges - realistically, interactively and motivatingly.

Workshop: My language painting station
Time: 13:00-14:00 & 15:30-17:00
Language is more than just a means of communication: it shapes our identity and our perception of the world. What does it mean to grow up with several languages? How does the world change when you learn a new language? What images and feelings do we associate with the languages we speak? At our painting station, young and old are invited to explore the topic of linguistic diversity with paint and paper.

Browse, ponder and win

Raffle
Time: 13:00-19:00
Win prizes big and small - from Goethe goodies to language courses and exams. Get a ticket at the raffle stand and collect stamps at the various workshops!

Exhibition: My languages
Time: all day
"What do your languages mean to you?" - the Goethe-Institut Munich asked its participants this question. Munich-based graphic designer Sven Quaß takes up the diverse perspectives of the answers in his calligraphies. Text and illustration come together to show the significance that language and linguistic diversity can have for people.

Book table
Time: 13:00-19:00
A place to browse! Here you can discover and purchase interesting books on the topics of language, migration and literature, including the works of our panel guests and the artists present.

Listening bench
Our listening bench invites you to get into conversation with each other at the language festival. It creates space for spontaneous encounters and offers visitors a place where they can be listened to openly and respectfully. A "May I sit down with you?" and a friendly nod are all it takes to start a conversation. The listening bench is organized in cooperation with the association zuhören draussen.

Food & drinks

Narenj Persian Street Food
At Narenj Persian Street Food you can indulge in aromatic bowls. There is something for every taste: from meat dishes to vegan and vegetarian classics.

Kroque Berlin
Kroque Berlin delights with the French classic Croque Monsieur - the French version of the sandwich. Grilled and with lots of home-made ingredients, every bite is a piece of France.

Cuore di Vetro ice cream counter
Cuore di Vetro offers a fine selection of fresh, homemade ice cream with first-class ingredients. Cream ice creams with organic milk and sorbets with seasonal fruit are guaranteed to enchant you.