Every week in Germany, a handful of stories fly under the radar that are well worth the attention of expats and immigrants. This week's roundup from The Local covers two contrasting talking points: the AfD's reported plan to cut funding to the Bauhaus — one of Germany's most celebrated and globally recognised cultural institutions — and a lighthearted but thought-provoking claim that Berlin, not Paris, deserves the title of Europe's capital of love. Together, they offer a window into Germany's cultural life and its current political tensions.
The Bauhaus is one of Germany's most successful cultural exports. Founded in the early twentieth century, its influence on design, architecture, and art has spread across the world. It remains a point of national pride and a significant draw for international visitors and students.
According to The Local's reporting, the AfD has plans to defund the Bauhaus. If implemented, this would represent a significant intervention in Germany's cultural landscape, and it fits a broader pattern in which far-right parties in Europe have sought to reshape or reduce support for institutions they view as contrary to their values.
For expats living in Germany, this matters beyond the art world. The Bauhaus is a symbol of the open, experimental, internationally connected Germany that many people moved here to be part of. Threats to cultural funding also raise wider questions about which institutions and values a future German government might prioritise — and which it might not.
It is worth noting that as of now, the AfD's plan is reported as an intention, not a policy already in effect. German cultural institutions receive funding through multiple channels, and any change would require significant political steps.
On a lighter note, the roundup includes a claim that Berlin — rather than the traditionally assumed Paris — is in fact Europe's true capital of love. The argument, while playful, speaks to something that many expats who live in Berlin recognise: the city has a distinctive, unconventional energy that fosters connection, creativity, and community in ways that more polished European capitals sometimes do not.
For anyone who has navigated the Berlin dating scene, made friends through a Sprachkurs (language course), or simply found their people in one of the city's many subcultures, this characterisation may raise a knowing smile. Berlin's diversity — with large communities of expats, immigrants, and long-term residents from every corner of the world — is part of what gives it this quality.
The cultural and political stories covered in this roundup are a reminder that life in Germany is shaped not just by bureaucracy and paperwork, but by the living culture around you. The institutions Germany funds, the political forces that seek to reshape them, and the character of its cities all form part of the experience of being an expat here.
Keeping an eye on cultural policy — especially as parties like the AfD grow in influence — is one way to stay connected to the broader German conversation. And if you have not yet explored Berlin's many neighbourhoods, art spaces, and communities, the city's reputation as a place of unexpected warmth and connection might just be worth discovering for yourself.
The Bauhaus was a revolutionary school of art, design, and architecture that began in Germany and went on to influence the entire modern world. Today, several institutions in Germany carry its name and legacy, including museums and design schools. For expats interested in art, architecture, or design, the Bauhaus is a meaningful part of Germany's cultural identity. Any threat to its funding would affect both cultural life and tourism in the country.
The AfD has expressed views that tend toward a more restrictive definition of German culture and identity. While no policy change is in effect at this stage, expats should be aware that a growing far-right influence in German politics can affect cultural funding, the tone of public life, and the resources available for integration and multicultural programming. Following political developments is the best way to stay informed.
Stay curious about the Germany you are living in — its politics, its culture, and its contradictions. Follow reputable German and English-language news sources for updates on cultural policy and the AfD's plans. And if you are in Berlin, take the city's reputation as a place of warmth and connection as an invitation to explore.
Source: The Local
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