Some of the institutions were in direct competition with the Goethe-Institut. The former East German state, which had also founded in Leipzig in 1951 its own cultural institution, the Herder Institute, started setting up cultural and information centers abroad, and also offered lessons in German as a foreign language. While the Eastern and Western blocs were engaged in their arms race, the struggle for power and influence also had an impact on foreign cultural policy. The Cold War led to one of the most gripping chapters in the history of the institute. Yet German cultural ambassadors were sent on tour to Goethe-Instituts all over the world.įor example, jazz musician Albert Mangelsdorff made various well-received stops in Asia with his quartet, and electronic psychedelic music from Germany could be heard in Kabul. Today, there are 158 Goethe-Instituts in 98 countries.īetween 19, the Goethe-Institut moved its focus to Africa, and new branches soon opened across the continent. The institution quickly started focusing on offering German-language lessons abroad.įor this purpose, different institutes were founded the first one was opened in 1952 in Athens. The Goethe Medal is the institute's yearly prize to honor non-Germans' contribution to spreading German culture
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