The Germans and their forest

People often say that Germans have a very special relationship with the forest. And indeed, that theme is running through German history and literature like a green thread. Even today, many German-speaking children grow up with fairytales and stories that would be inconceivable without the woods as their botanical backdrop. Sometimes depicted as dark, cold and full of lurking danger, it can also be a space of refuge and freedom or a source of reflection and inspiration. Whilst the romanticists idealised the forest, the Nazis perceived it as an intrinsically German living space, from which Jews were supposed to be excluded.
Given the forest’s deep roots in the German psyche, it comes as no surprise that there has been concern for the stock of trees on German soil for a long time – from the timber shortages in the Middle Ages via the waldsterben worries in the 1980s to more recent trials and tribulations around trees like those in Hambach Forest or around Stuttgart’s central station. At the same time, the forest remains an important space for leisure and recreation for many and is even becoming more popular as a final resting place.
In line with April being Earth Month, we will be going down to the woods in our next Deutsche Runde and roam through some texts of different genres, including a song that illustrates the political and ecological dimension of the forest in Germany perfectly. There will of course also be opportunities for you to reflect on and share your own attitudes towards the topic. No more beating about the bush - let’s take a leaf out of the Germans’ book and get passionate about trees!

Deutsche Runde is an informal gathering and exchange around a chosen topic of German language or culture. It is ideal for learners with some knowledge of German (B1 and higher). This event is held in German and is hosted by Katrin Frahm.
Participation is free of charge.

We look forward to seeing you!

More information: Goethe-Institut Glasgow event page

Picture Source: © Canva

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