Germany

Berlin's government is effectively sabotaging the city's international status as an artistic and academic hub, according to students and teachers at the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK), which is pressing ahead with cuts to its English-language arts courses as the city slashes the budgets of its universities. The Berlin government has decided to cut €106 million ($125 million) from the budgets of its universities, including the world-renowned Humboldt University, the Free University, the Technical University, and the UdK, one of the world's largest specialist arts universities in the world, with around 4,000 students. This comes despite the fact that economic studies have shown that international students bring a net benefit to state coffers and foster economic growth. The UdK has bee...

Cologne's Carnival is known the world over as the epitome of German zaniness — complete with people in costumes linked arm-in-arm, swaying to the music and gleefully singing traditional songs. That part hasn't changed — but it's not the full story. Carnival, or Karneval as it's known in German, may have a new look and feel but what's changing even more is its sound. Cologne's music scene is huge and unique in Germany. It has transformed rapidly over the past two decades — and that has impacted carnival music too. The nostalgic, marching-band rhythms of yesteryear in three-four meter, sometimes with indecent lyrics and catchy melodies, have given way to a new pop culture soundtrack. Traditional Carnival bands haven't gone anywhere but they are also largely in step with the times: Carniv...

Cologne's Carnival is known the world over as the epitome of German zaniness — complete with people in costumes linked arm-in-arm, swaying to the music and gleefully singing traditional songs. That part hasn't changed — but it's not the full story. Carnival, or Karneval as it's known in German, may have a new look and feel but what's changing even more is its sound. Cologne's music scene is huge and unique in Germany. It has transformed rapidly over the past two decades — and that has impacted carnival music too. The nostalgic, marching-band rhythms of yesteryear in three-four meter, sometimes with indecent lyrics and catchy melodies, have given way to a new pop culture soundtrack. Traditional Carnival bands haven't gone anywhere but they are also largely in step with the times: Carniv...