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January 16, 2026
Newsletter January 2026
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Dear Friends,
We start the year with a cultural event that invites you to experience Washington, DC through an artistic lens. Join us on January 29 at the Goethe-Institut Washington for the opening of the exhibition BLUE NOTES by acclaimed photojournalist Astrid Riecken. Meet the artist in person and explore her striking, multi-layered photographic collages that capture the city with depth and nuance.
In addition, we are pleased to welcome German-Iranian author Navid Kermani to Washington, DC, as part of his U.S. tour 'In Search of a Common Cause'. With two stops in DC, Kermani will engage audiences in timely conversations on culture, identity, and shared responsibility.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Goethe-Institut this winter. If you can’t join us in person, we invite you to explore our online offerings.
Sincerely,
Klaus Krischok
Director Goethe-Institut Washington
Regional Director North America
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© Astrid Riecken
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Jan 29 | 6-8pm | Exhibition Opening | Goethe-Institut Washington
Blue Notes–Artworks by Astrid Riecken
German photojournalist Astrid Riecken, who has lived in Washington DC for over thirty years, presents a new series of digital photo collages shown for the first time. Created from photographs taken primarily in Washington and reassembled into imagined scenes, these 'art works' reflect her deep connection to the city.
Depicting Washington as a noir-inspired stage, Blue Notes brings together shadowy silhouettes, neon-lit streets, and the city’s cultural spaces—jazz clubs, theaters, and cinemas—where musicians, passers-by, and personal memories intersect. The exhibition will be open to the public during the office hours of the Goethe-Institut until March 12. At the opening, enjoy an artist talk with Astrid Riecken, followed by a reception.
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photo Navid Kermani: Copyright: Peter-Andreas Hassiepen; photo Jeffrey Gedmin: used with permission
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Feb 9 | 7pm | Reading & Discussion | Goethe-Institut Washington
Navid Kermani in conversation with Jeffrey Gedmin
Navid Kermani, one of Germany’s most acclaimed writers and public intellectuals, and Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin, President and CEO of the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, come together for a timely conversation on literature, politics, and spirituality in a fractured world. Kermani—praised by The New York Review of Books as “among the most thoughtful intellectual voices in German today”—is a novelist, essayist, and trained scholar of Islam whose work bridges cultures, religions, and histories. Gedmin is a leading voice in international media and public diplomacy, with decades of experience engaging questions of democracy, conflict, and global communication.
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photo Navid Kermani: © Peter-Andreas Hassiepen; photo Michael Brenner: © American University Faculty Page
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Feb 10 | 6-7.30pm | Discussion | Location TBD
The Burden of the Past: Holocaust and Colonialism, Two Conflicting Memories?
Michael Brenner, the Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies at American University, will join French-Israeli sociologist Eva Illouz and Iranian-German scholar of Islam and novelist Navid Kermani for a timely conversation on memory, culture, and politics. The discussion will explore the role of public voices in a polarized world, evolving ideas of “the West”, religion as both a bridge and a source of conflict, the limits of free expression, and current developments in Israel and Iran. Co-sponsored by the Meltzer Schwartzberg Center for Israel Studies, the Jewish Studies Program, the Institute for Political Theory at American University, the Goethe-Institut, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
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© Ricardo Roa
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Feb 4 | 1PM ET | Reading and Talk | Zoom
Gegenüber Talks–Literature Across Borders
The Goethe-Institutes in North America invite you to a digital literature series celebrating the diversity of German-language writing—from new voices and graphic novels to classics, utopias, and dystopias. Bringing together authors, publishers, and literature lovers from North America and Germany, the series fosters lively, open, and interactive conversations.
Join us on February 4 for a conversation with film scholar Roy Grundmann and writer and journalist Julia Cumes as they explore questions of identity, migration, and belonging across cultures and places. All Gegenüber Talks are recorded and available to stream for free.
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1. © Arsenal – Institut für Film und Videokunst e.V., 2. © missingFILMs, 3. © Filmgalerie 451 / CANVA
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Through January | Streaming Recommendations | Online
New Movies on our Streaming Platform
Sit back, press play, and enjoy exceptional storytelling from Germany’s vibrant film scene. Discover a curated selection of outstanding German films in the current BERLIN NIGHTS series, available to stream for free through January. From heists gone wrong and chance encounters to legendary nightlife and lovers crossing the Berlin Wall, the series captures the city’s vibrant after-dark energy across decades of German cinema.
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© Kateryna Riabenko
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Goethe-Institut USA
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Through Jan 20 | Contest for students 14-18 years old | San Francisco
Youth 4 German Cinema 2026
Young film enthusiasts are invited to apply for Youth 4 German Cinema, a unique opportunity to take part in a youth jury at a German film festival in San Francisco. Selected participants will view and evaluate contemporary German films, choose the jury award winner, and present the award during the festival.
In addition to jury duties, the program includes workshops, film screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and red-carpet events. Travel, accommodation, and meals are fully covered.
The application deadline has been extended to January 20, 2026, at 8:00 pm (PT).
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Goethe-Institut USA
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Through March 15 | Contest for High School & Middle School students | Online
Award of Excellence
The “Award of Excellence” returns with the theme “Club Life in Germany.” Germany is famous for its vibrant club culture, with over 90,000 sports clubs nationwide. Listen to the podcast and complete the quiz to enter. Three winners will each receive a scholarship for a youth course in Germany in summer 2026. The youth courses will take place in summer 2026. Participation in the competition is possible until March 15, 2026, at 11:59 pm (PT).
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© Goethe-Institut
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Exam Dates for 2026
German Language Exams
Do you need internationally recognized proof of your German language skills? Goethe-Institut certificates are highly recognized by visa offices, universities, and employers – giving you the advantage of maximum recognition. Take a German exam at the Goethe-Institut at levels A1 to C2 and receive your certificate. From level B1 onwards, you can book modules individually (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). Goethe-Institut USA offers examinations at over 20 locations throughout the country. Please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions. |
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Goethe-Institut
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Join Our Fun Clubs
German Learner Community
Kick off the new year by joining one of our engaging German Language Conversation or Book Clubs. All clubs are held online and accessible from anywhere you can log in. Students enrolled in a German Online Live group course starting this January will receive a 50% discount on all Language Clubs!
Embrace the New Year with a fresh start in German!
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