Dr. Stefan Christmann

September 14, 2025September 14, 2025

GDR art

The Kunsthalle at Rostock stands as a remarkable testament to both architectural ambition and artistic vision from the days of the former GDR. Conceived in the mid-1960s and officially opened in 1969, it was intended as a showpiece of East German cultural policy, being the first and only purpose-built art museum constructed in the German Democratic Republic. The original plan was to provide a home for the Biennale of Baltic Sea countries, but thanks to the foresight of its founding director, Horst Zimmermann, it quickly began accruing its own significant collection, soon establishing itself not just as an exhibition hall but as a true museum with a focus on collecting, preserving, and researching art.

September 13, 2025September 14, 2025

IGA-Park

The IGA-Park in Rostock is a wide expanse of green and waterfront leisure created out of the grounds of the International Garden Exhibition held in 2003. Once an industrial harbour area, it was completely transformed into a landscaped park that combines themed gardens, modern art installations, and broad lawns along the Warnow river. Today it stands as one of the city’s most attractive recreational spaces, linking Rostock’s maritime heritage with a contemporary vision of open urban living.

August 10, 2025August 10, 2025

Lenbachhaus

Located in the vibrant heart of München, the Lenbachhaus is a true gem for anyone with an appreciation for art and history. Originally, the building was the villa of Franz von Lenbach, a prominent 19th-century painter, who designed his home in a Tuscan style reminiscent of Italian Renaissance villas. In the early 20th century, the city of München acquired the property and transformed it into a museum, aiming to preserve and showcase Lenbach’s legacy and the city’s rich artistic heritage. Over the years, the Lenbachhaus underwent several expansions and updates, allowing it to evolve into one of Germany’s most esteemed art institutions.

August 9, 2025August 10, 2025

Green oasis

The Botanischer Garten Nymphenburg in München, nestled adjacent to the famed Schloß Nymphenburg, is a serene oasis with a rich legacy dating back to the early 20th century. Originally founded in its current location in 1914, the botanical garden replaced the city’s older botanical garden near Karlsplatz. Its development was strongly shaped by a desire to create a thriving centre of horticultural education and research, one that would also serve the public as a place for enjoyment and tranquillity.

August 9, 2025August 10, 2025

Nymphenburg

On the western edge of München you can find Schloß Nymphenburg, a splendid testament to Baroque architecture and the grandeur of Bavaria’s royal past. The palace was commissioned in 1664 by Elector Ferdinand Maria and his wife Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, in celebration of the birth of their son, Max Emanuel. Initially conceived as a summer residence, it began as a modest cubic pavilion surrounded by gardens and auxiliary buildings, but over centuries expanded into a lavish complex under successive members of the Wittelsbach dynasty. The palace’s transformation mirrored the dynasty’s aspirations: its façade, gardens, and interiors were continually embellished, culminating in a breathtaking ensemble of halls, museums, and parkland.

August 9, 2025August 10, 2025

Hirschgarten

The Biergarten in the Hirschgarten is truly a quintessential München experience, blending tradition, nature, and conviviality. Hirschgarten itself claims the title of the largest beer garden in the world, with thousands of seats beneath sprawling chestnut trees. As you settle in with a stein of locally brewed beer, the air hums with the lively chatter of locals and travellers alike. It is a place where families, friends, and solo explorers can relax, share laughter, and enjoy the simple pleasures of a sunny afternoon or a warm summer evening.

August 9, 2025August 10, 2025

Dachau

The Konzentrationslager Dachau, located just outside München, was the first Nazi concentration camp established in 1933. Originally designed to hold political prisoners, especially Communists and Socialists, its brutal regime soon expanded its targets to include Jews, Roma, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and prisoners of war from various nations. Dachau became infamous as the model on which other camps were based and as a training ground for SS camp guards, making it a key site in the Nazi repression apparatus. The conditions and systematic cruelty left thousands dead and countless more scarred.

July 28, 2025July 30, 2025

Kudaj konakpyn!

Kazakhstan is a fascinating country with a deep and complex history that reflects its position as a crossroads of civilizations. Historically, it was the land of nomadic tribes who roamed the vast steppe, living in harmony with nature and relying heavily on their herds. Its strategic location meant it was influenced by various empires, including the Mongols and the Russian Empire, which shaped its cultural and political landscape. The 20th century brought dramatic changes as Kazakhstan became part of the Soviet Union, undergoing rapid industrialization and social transformation. Finally, in 1991, Kazakhstan declared independence, stepping into a new era marked by sovereignty and development.

July 28, 2025July 29, 2025

Nursultan Nazarbayev

Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, serving Kazakhstan’s capital Астана, stands as a modern and efficient gateway to northern Kazakhstan and beyond. This airport strikes a balance between solid functionality and modern design with two main passenger terminals dedicated to international and domestic flights respectively. Its location just about 12 kilometers from the city center makes access convenient, with taxis and public transportation readily available. The clean, organized environment quickly sets travelers at ease, contrasting with the often vast and hectic feel of larger international airports.

July 28, 2025July 30, 2025

Planned city

Астана, the vibrant capital of Kazakhstan, has a compelling history that reflects the evolution of the entire nation. Originally founded as Akmolinsk in 1830 as a small fortress settlement, the city grew gradually over the years. During the Soviet era, it was renamed Tselinograd in the 1960s to serve as the center of the Virgin Lands campaign, a major Soviet agricultural project. After Kazakhstan gained its independence in 1991, the city once more transformed – first regaining the name Akmola and then receiving the name Астана in 1998 when it was designated the country’s new capital, moving government functions from Алматы. For a period between 2019 and 2022, the city was known as Nur-Sultan in honor of the first president, but eventually the original name, Астана, was restored.