Berliner

February 20, 2008 By 1 Comment

Berliners are a form of doughnut, often filled with jam.

The story of their invention is possibly only a legend, but it is said that they were created by a baker from Berlin who was trying to create something that could be cooked on a battlefield without an oven. He placed the balls of dough into hot fat to create the form that we know today.

The Konditorberliner in Hessen are normally filled with raspberry jam, but at carnival time there are Berliners without jam, with strawberry jam, iced, with coffee or even alcohol creams in them.

Other words for Berliner are: Krapfen, Kreppel and Fastnachtsküchle.

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Filed Under: Carnival, Food & Drink, German Words Explained, Podcasts Tagged With: ,

Getting married in Germany

February 18, 2008 By Leave a Comment

As a foreigner, getting married in Germany – an in particular to a German national – means preparing and presenting specific paperwork.

Translations of certificates and other documents need to be produced by authorised agencies.

Finally, the marriage needs to be approved by the relevant court.

Listen to the podcast to find out more:

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Filed Under: Monday Podcasts, Podcasts Tagged With: , ,

Karneval – Fasching – Fastnacht

February 13, 2008 By 1 Comment

Karneval, also known as Fasching or Fastnacht (even Fasnet, Fasnacht or Fasenacht), officially begins on 11th November at 11:11, but it only really gets going after Ephiphany.

However the really mad days only start on the Thursday before Rosenmontag, when the main events such as the processions take place.

This Thursday is also known as the Weiberfastnacht – on this day the women celebrate. (A word of warning to all men: don’t wear a tie to work on this day!)

The season is the last chance to drink and be merry before the start of Lent, and it is also to drive out the darkness of the winter.

To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:

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Filed Under: German Words Explained, Podcasts Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

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