Germany: Folk vs. Pop Culture

Food

Folk Culture: Beer is a large part of German cuisine and remains to be to this day, often reinforced by festivals like Oktoberfest. Another example is the consumption of sausages, particularly brautwurst, which came into popularity for their preserved shelf-life and good flavor.

German men at a festival wear traditional lederhosen.

An Example of German breakfast food.

Popular Culture: Breads and Jams are often consumed for breakfast in accordance to the many bakeries all over every city. It has become a staple in morning diets as many of the German population are in the workforce or entering the workforce and require the energy. Another example is the popularity of cold cuts and cheese, which are healthy and also high in energy.

Art/Music

Folk Culture: Germany produced influential classical composers like Bach and Beethoven, who’s music continues to thrive in modern society. Also, there are many opera houses all around the country, showing a continued love of older contemporary music. An example of this is the Munich State Theatre.

Popular Culture: Presently, Germany has a large influence on Techno and Rock styles. They also host large annual music festivals, which include the largest open-air heavy metal venue and line-up in the world.

A German rock music festival in Munich.

An example of Medieval Gothic architecture.

Clothing

Folk Culture: Traditional wear for men was lederhosen, which were work for work due to their durability. Women wore dirndls, which were simple dresses for everyday work around the house and varied slightly in style based on the weather.

Popular Culture: Youth in Germany are following trends of close-fitting, dark clothes, based on the chilly weather. Dark washed jeans are a norm and there are almost no baggy clothes.

Shelter

Folk Culture: German folk architecture is displayed in the form of buildings left standing as far back as when the Roman Empire claimed the lands. German architecture also flourished during a period of medieval gothic styles.

Popular Culture: Nowadays, buildings are being built in a style known as Art Nouveau, characterized by hard, precise edges. An increasing number of shelters are build using Modern style—no necessary ornamentals, only basic structure.

Technology

Folk Culture: Johannes Gutenburg, a German, created the moving printing press. Albert Einstein, another German, shaped the way many people see the world and led to many new innovations.

Popular Culture: In Germany, modern communication devices such as smart phones, laptops, and Bluetooth are used, as well as new methods of building and creating.

Beliefs

Folk Culture: Roman Catholic was the religion under which the country was created, but it was also where many prominent Protestants arose from.

Popular Culture: Due to immigration, Germany has a substantial Muslim minority as well as a growing community of German Jews.