Discover Germany, Issue 62, May 2018

Issue 62 | May 2018

ZINE THE MAGA G THE PROMOTIN GION IN D-A-CH RE ND ENGLISH A N GERMA

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Snacks

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ba.com

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Discover Germany | Contents

Contents MAY 2018

30 Photo: © ZDF

COVER FEATURE 30 Natalia Wörner With appearances in hit TV series like Tatort or Die Diplomatin, or the miniseries The Pillars of the Earth, German actress Natalia Wörner has become a staple of German and international productions. She speaks to Discover Germany about Berlin, her most memorable roles, the #MeToo debate and more.

SPECIAL THEMES 12 Home Inspiration

– Design Trends of 2018 In this special theme, we explore the big trends of the year and take a look at some of Germany’s top designers and their innovative products, to give you some great inspiration for your home.

21 Swiss Children’s Universe 2018 Discover your inner child with our special theme on Switzerland’s top children’s highlights. Explore where to enjoy the great outdoors, what to play next and much, much more.

36 Culinary Indulgence and Lifestyle

– Made in Switzerland Switzerland is known for tasty treats like cheese or fondue - but there is far more to discover as entrepreneurs across the country work hard to bring tasty new products to the market. We take a look at some of Switzerland’s best culinary exports.

64 CEBIT 2018

– Innovation and Digitisation From 11 until 15 June, the famous trade fair CEBIT will come to Hannover once again and will sport an innovative programme with new content, new formats and an optimised hall layout. For this theme, we spoke to some exhibitors to find out more.

52 Photo: © www.mediaserver.hamburg.de

80 Germany’s Business Coaches and

Consulting Experts Looking to take your business or your personal skills to the next level? Choosing a business coach or consulting expert might just do the trick. Thus, we have handpicked some of Germany’s best ones.

16 Photo: © KFF

the four-star superior Vital Hotel Meiser in Germany and the five-star Hôtel Les Sources des Alpes in Switzerland.

FEATURES 42 Star Interview: Katharina Kaali Born in Helsinki, the Finnish-German actress Katharina Kaali grew up in Berlin and has since become a prominent fixture on German television. She speaks to Discover Germany about how to find inner contentment, the knowledge of the Vedas and much more.

48 From Witches’ Dances to Tree Theft

– German May Traditions In this feature, our writer Wibke Carter explores some of Germany’s best-known May traditions, as few months in the year boast as many traditional celebrations.

Find out more in our guide!

52 International Tourism Boom

– Next Stop: Germany According to the latest tourism statistics for Germany, the country has become a ‘bestseller destination’, as the German Tourist Board calls it. Columnist Barbara Geier finds out more and further explores Germany’s new appeal with foreign visitors.

56 Destination of the Month The legendary mountain region Harz offers almost everything visitors are looking for in an attractive holiday destination: cultural sites of world class, unique adventures in untouched nature and a vast range of leisure activities.

60 Hotels of the Month We picked two gorgeous hotels that we wanted to explore further this month:

REGULARS & COLUMNS 9

Dedicated to Design Whether you are searching for great Mother’s Day gift ideas, pastel fashion inspiration or other great home and living accessories, be sure to take a look at our design section.

50 Travel Looking for some travel inspiration for this summer? Look no further. Our travel section is full of great destinations, hotels and experiences in the DACH region.

64 Business Our business section is filled with exclusive business profiles from the DACH region and much more. Furthermore, our columnist Gregor Kleinknecht takes on the interesting topic of the latest proposed UK ivory sales ban.

93 The Delights of the German Vocabulary In this monthly column, British author Adam Jacot de Boinod explores the weird and wonderful world of German vocabulary and finds some rather interesting terms.

94 Culture Calendar Discover Germany’s culture calendar is your perfect guide to what not to miss in May. 98 Barbara Geier Column This month, our columnist Barbara Geier educates us about digital detox – German style and gives some useful tips and tricks.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 3

Dear Reader,

Discover Germany Issue 62, May 2018 Published 05.2018 ISSN 2051-7718 Published by Scan Magazine Ltd. Print Liquid Graphic Ltd. Executive Editor Thomas Winther Creative Director Mads E. Petersen Editor Nane Steinhoff Assistant Editor Marilena Stracke Copy-Editor Karl Batterbee Graphic Designer Mercedes Moulia Contributors Adam Jacot de Boinod Barbara Geier

Cornelia Brelowski Gregor Kleinknecht Ina Frank Jessica Holzhausen Silke Henkele Wibke Carter Cover Photo © Mathias Bothor Sales & Key Account Managers Emma Fabritius Nørregaard Laura Hummer Noura Draoui Sophie Blecha Audrey Bardzik Publisher: SCAN GROUP Scan Magazine Ltd. 15B Bell Yard Mews Bermondsey Street London SE1 3YT United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0)870 933 0423 Fax: +44 (0)870 933 0421

Email: info@discovergermany.com For further information please visit www.discovergermany.com

It is common knowledge that 1 May, better known as ‘Labour Day’, is a public holiday in the DACH region. But did you know that this day actually has its political roots in the USA and is also celebrated in many other countries all over the world?

The day’s origins can be traced back to the US American labour movement. On 1 May 1886, trade and labour unions called for a multi-day general strike due to bad working conditions and wages. The strikers’ main objective was to achieve an eight-hour work day and around 400,000 workers joined on the first day.

On the third strike day, however, a bomb explosion hit Chicago’s Haymarket Square – thrown by anarchists and left radicals, according to officials. Chaos struck and at the end of the day, seven policemen and at least four workers died. The bloody end of the strike eventually led to the implementation of the eighthour work day.

After the Haymarket incident of 1886, 1 May became a symbolic day for the workers’ struggle – also in Europe. Therefore, around 100,000 German workers took to the streets in cities like Berlin, Dresden and Hamburg in 1890, and the rest is history. Today, 1 May is still a public holiday all over Germany and in parts of Austria and Switzerland where people still flock to the streets to demonstrate for better working conditions and for political activities. In this issue, our writer Wibke Carter finds out more about this interesting topic and other weird and wonderful May traditions, such as ‘Walpurgis Night’ or the erection of maypoles.

Other topics covered in our May issue are an inspiring interview with German actress Natalia Wörner who has proved her worth in a versatile range of roles and has thus become a staple of German and international productions. We spoke to her about her most memorable roles, the #MeToo debate and much more.

Furthermore, we talked to Finnish-German actress Katharina Kaali about her recently released CD that seeks to help people to find inner contentment through an ancient Indian philosophy.

And last, but not least, we cover next month’s CEBIT trade fair, this year’s big design trends, top culinary highlights, business coaches, consulting experts and more.

Sit back, relax and thanks for reading.

© All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Scan Group – a trading name of Scan Magazine Ltd. This magazine contains advertorials/promotional articles.

4 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Nane Steinhoff, Editor

Transform now.

Europe’s business festival for innovation and digitization

More business contacts. More excitement. More inspiration: While at CEBIT, discover what’s next. Creative solutions that advance digital transformation. Disruptive technologies that shape tomorrow’s business world. Meet and mingle with creative thinkers, movers and shakers from business and society. The conference starts on Monday, the exhibition on Tuesday.

11 – 15 June 2018

Book your ticket now! www.cebit.com

Discover Germany | Design | Fashion Finds

Fashion Finds Our fashion motto this month is ‘pretty in pastels’. Why? Because this season, the gorgeous trend is dominating the catwalks of the big designers yet again. Whether lilac, pink, lemon, light blue or other ice cream hues, these fresh colours will brighten up any outfit and are perfect for spring and summer. Find out what pretty pastel creations the DACH region’s designers have in store for us.

EDITOR’S PICKS I PRESS IMAGES

BETTY & CO is a young and authentic label that presents casual everyday looks with feminine details. As seen here, the company puts emphasis on subtle pastel hues this season. Shirt £36, jeans £80. www.bettybarclay.com/de

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Yet another gorgeous outfit by BETTY & CO – a brand that stands for an authentic and individual lifestyle with a feminine smart-casual focus. This outfit makes pastel colours fit perfectly into an office environment. Blazer, blouse and trousers £POA. www.bettybarclay.com/de

JOOP! has been a staple of German luxury fashion for a while now and their collections are always both feminine and contemporary – like this beautiful ‘Helena’ bag. £268. www.joop.com

This feminine skirt by German fashion company ORSAY comes in a subtle blue nuance and will be an eyecatcher in any office environment or at a cocktail party. £23. www.orsay.com/de

Another great pastel must-have are these gorgeous pumps in pastel yellow by ORSAY. They will turn any ordinary outfit into something special. £27. www.orsay.com/de

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 7

Discover Germany | Design | Stahl Präzisionslibellen

Bunte Flüssigkeiten statt Edelsteinen:

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I FOTOS: GLAMOURPIXEL FOTODESIGN

Einzigartiger Schmuck von Stahl Präzisionslibellen Bei den Libellenringen trifft Technik auf Ästhetik. Die handgearbeiteten Stücke mit bunten Flüssigkeiten bieten ein weltweit neues und wunderschönes Schmuckerlebnis. Kleidsame Flüssigkeiten!

Stahl Präzisionslibellen ist ursprünglich Hersteller von runden Wasserwaagen für diverse industrielle Anwendungen. Das technische Know-How in punkto Präzisionsdosenlibellen wurde dann aber auch in einem ganz anderen Bereich nützlich. „Für uns war und ist es wichtig, alte, vielleicht auch eingefahrene Wege neu zu denken und zu gestalten“, erzählt Joachim Caspart aus der Geschäftsleitung. „Anstelle von Edelsteinen und Perlen, wollten wir Flüssigkeiten in unterschiedlichen Farben als zentrale Bausteine in all unsere Schmuckstücke integrieren. Dies führte uns zu dieser weltweit einzigartigen Schmuckidee.“ Die Schmuckkollektion besteht aus Ringen, Armbändern, Ohrringen, Halsket-

ten und Schlüsselanhängern. In Handarbeit werden die verschiedenen Flüssigkeiten eingefügt und so entstehen einzigartige Stücke, die man so noch nicht gesehen hat. Die immerwährende Bewegung der Flüssigkeit in den verschiedenen, kräftigen Farbtönen ist absolut faszinierend. „Uns war es dabei wichtig, neben den höherpreisigen Schmuckstücken diese

neue Schmuckidee so umzusetzen, dass sich auch junge Leute unseren Schmuck leisten können“, fügt Caspart hinzu. „So gibt es in unserem Shop kleidsame Flüssigkeiten von 17,50 Euro bis 208 Euro.“ Welches sein persönliches Lieblingsstück ist, verrät Caspart gern: „Der Ring Capri. Einfach, klar und reduziert auf die Bewegung der Flüssigkeit.“ Dass dieser besondere Schmuck mit viel Charakter schnell zum Lieblingsteil wird, ist völlig klar. www.libellenring.de

Libellenring.de.

GE N LE UIN AT HE E R

A L L O W YO U R S E L F SOME LUXURY W W W . M AT T I O L I - B A G S . D E

Discover Germany | Design | Dedicated to Design

Dedicated to Design…

It is time to thank our awesome mums for the unconditional love, support and kindness they have given us throughout the years! Thus, do not forget Mother’s Day this year. Celebrated on 13 May in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, we take a closer look at great gift ideas from the DACH region’s designers, and collect the perfect present ideas for you.

BY: NANE STEINHOFF I PRESS IMAGES

1. Treat your hard-working mum to some cosy time for herself with this gorgeous, oversize blanket by Cologne-based label adorist. Made out of merino wool, it is sure to be the perfect sofa companion. If you are looking for an exceptional cushion, how about this knot one – also by adorist? Blanket from £175, cushion £60. www.desiary.de

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2. If your mother loves tea, a new teapot can never be a bad idea – especially if it is as stylish as this one by the Austrian label feinedinge*. £145. www.feinedinge.at 3. A well-deserved break becomes even more relaxed with this handmade eye mask. While it consists of fine silk, it also conveys subtle nuances of lavender. Furthermore, the soft velvet strap also ensures best wearing comfort. £47. www.desiary.de 4. No mother should go without a great bouquet of flowers on Mother’s Day. And we think this stylish vase by Rosenthal GmbH will showcase it at its very best. £POA. www.rosenthal.de

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5. The Hamburg-based label Giftcompany has this awesome gift idea on offer: a blush-coloured jewel case for all of your mum’s most precious belongings. £218. www.gift-company.com

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The only thing repeated here is great taste.

100% ED C E R T IFI L E NAB I A T S U S A CO CO

www.ritter-sport.com

Discover Germany | Design | amapodo

The double-walled amapodo tea glass with tea strainer and bamboo lid If you are looking for the perfect quintessence of indulgence, aesthetics and contemporary lifestyle, amapodo’s TEAFAVS tea glass is a great example. With only one tool, you are equipped for all the phases of the tea-making process and, due to its stylish design, only glass and stainless steel come into contact with your drink.

TEXT & PHOTO: AZOBIT GMBH, TRANSLATION: NANE STEINHOFF

At first sight, amapodo’s TEAFAVS thermos tea glass seems surprisingly puristic.

But this minimalism wonderfully harmonises with current trends and directs the interest towards the thermos tea bottle for a stylish tea time. If you take a closer look at this all-rounder, you will notice many details that make it a perfect companion for tea drinkers. For example, the glass is equipped with a two-piece sieve

made out of stainless steel, with components that can either collectively or individually be brought into play according to the tea type chosen.

The bamboo lid stands the test in many respects After filling the glass with water, the tea preparer can be closed with a high-quality bamboo lid so that the hot drink does not

cool down. Whether at home, on the go or at work, the double-walled TEAFAVS tea glass keeps the drink warm for up to two hours without getting hot on the outside. amapodo’s BPA-free tea bottle holds 400 millilitres, but do not despair if you need more during the day: TEAFAVS was developed for direct drinking from the glass and allows for more infusions during the day.

The tea glass can be bought at Amazon or on the website below. Furthermore, amapodo creates exclusive promotional items, gifts and Christmas gifts for customers and employees. www.amapodo.com Issue 62 | May 2018 | 11

S P E C I A L T H E M E : H O M E I N S P I R AT I O N – D E S I G N T R E N D S O F 2 0 1 8

An eye on German design This spring and summer, we have much colour and texture to look forward to in the design world. Ice cream colours, geometrics, a great deal of foliage, indigo blues, tropical and glittery golds are just some of this year’s design trends. Let us take a look at some of them.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: PIXABAY

12 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Home Inspiration – Design Trends of 2018

Indigo blues

Geometrics

A colour trend that is seen in all the big interior and home-design magazines at the moment is inky blues. Either paint an entire room in one of these gorgeous shades or simply pick some accessories like vases and flowers in an indigo shade. It will surely bring a fresh, new look into your home.

Even though geometrics were already really popular in 2017, this stylish interior trend is back for more this year. Mainly on cushions and rugs last year, we can find geometrics on tiles, wallpapers and several art pieces. Definitely a bold statement piece, it will be a true eyecatcher in one’s home.

Glittery golds Last year, we have already seen metallic hues becoming a big part of interior design items and this year it seems like gold has become the key colour. Whether vases, mirrors, lamps or entire cupboards, more and more items are available in the trendy shade that conveys a sense of elegance, mixed with decadence.

Plants, plants and more plants Houseplants have never been more popular. And it seems the more the merrier this season. So, what are you waiting for?

Equip every room with some stunning hanging plants, some nice cacti for the bathroom or some leafy beauties for your coffee table.

Ice cream colours Already a huge trend in fashion this year, lively pastel nuances will also fill interior design shops and magazines this season.

Whether you opt for a smooth rose, a light green, subtle blue or decide to mix and match, this trend is here to stay! Introduce these pretty colours on a single wall or accessorise with pastel hued vases, chairs, artworks and more.

To find out more and get further inspired, take a look at the following special theme where some of Germany’s best designers give some great inspiration for your home.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 13

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Home Inspiration – Design Trends of 2018

The versatile ARTISO® - perfect for office, lounge and living room.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: KÖHL

Quality seating furniture by passion: KÖHL

Hochwertige Sitzmöbel aus Leidenschaft: KÖHL

One of the leading experts for office chairs merges ergonomic sitting comfort, technical know-how, quality and subtle elegance to perfection. Their newest development ARTISO® by product designer Volker Reichert, is a mix of conference and club chair for the communication sector.

Einer der führenden Experten für Bürostühle setzt auf ergonomischen Sitzkomfort, handwerkliches Knowhow, Qualität und schlichte Eleganz. Mit der neuesten Entwicklung ARTISO® von Produktdesigner Volker Reichert wurde eine Mischung aus Konferenz- und Clubsessel für den Kommunikationsbereich geschaffen.

The top sitting comfort meets the highest of requirements. At KÖHL only quality material and supreme fixtures are used: a 3D-seat, optional with gas spring, and steel, foam and cover materials – and all elements are of the finest quality throughout. Everything is ‘German Quality made by KÖHL’, meaning it is 100 per cent handmade. The name ARTISO® essentially means handcrafted art.

Bequemer Sitzkomfort erfüllt selbst höchste Ansprüche. Dafür kommen bei KÖHL nur beste Materialien und komfortabelste Ausstattung zum Einsatz: ein 3D-Sitz, optional mit Gasfeder, dazu Stahl, Schaum und Bezugsmaterialien – alles vom Feinsten. Es ist alles bis ins Detail ‚German Quality made

by KÖHL‘, also zu 100 Prozent in Handarbeit erstellt. Denn der Name ARTISO® bedeutet so viel wie handwerkliche Kunst.

The four sizes S to XL with the polished aluminium frame options of skids, pyramid foot, four-star base without and five-star base with wheels, build the base of ARTISO®. All versions feature a steel frame construction and pocket spring padding. On top of that there is a rich variety of top quality cover materials in various colours that can also be combined with each other.

ARTISO® is great for the office but equally fitting for lounge and private living room.

Ergonomic finesse provides an exceptional dynamic sitting experience and interior designers as well as retailers love that ARTISO® can be customised throughout.

14 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Die Basis bilden vier Korpusgrößen S bis XL mit den alupolierten Gestelloptionen Kufen, Pyramidenfuß, vierstrahliges Fußkreuz ohne und fünfstrahliges Fußkreuz mit Rollen. Gemeinsam sind allen Varianten die Stahlrahmenkonstruktion und das komfortable Taschenfederkernpolster. Hinzu kommt eine reiche Auswahl an hochwertigen Bezugsmaterialien in allen erdenklichen Farben, auch miteinander kombinierbar. ARTISO® passt in die Büroumgebung, in die Lounge aber genauso auch ins private Wohnzimmer.

Ergonomische Finessen sorgen für eine außergewöhnliche Sitzdynamik, und dass ARTISO® nach Herzenslust und persönlichem Geschmack konfiguriert werden kann, schätzen auch Innenarchitekten und Fachhändler. http://artiso.koehl.com www.koehl.com

Die Wandgestaltung Relief von HEY-SIGN. Unzählige Möglichkeiten die Raumakustik zu verbessern.

Wollfilz aus reiner Schurwolle ist wie geschaffen für die Verbesserung von Raumklima und Akustik. Die neue Wandgestaltung Relief von HEY-SIGN kombiniert dieses nachhaltige Naturmaterial zu einem zeitlosen Gestaltungssystem. Fünf Grundmotive mit Gegenmotiv im Format 40 × 40 cm erzeugen durch unterschiedliche Drehung und Anordnung eine endlos variable Reliefstruktur. www.hey-sign.de

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Home Inspiration – Design Trends of 2018

KFF

TEXT & PHOTOS: KFF

The harmonious trinity of people, furniture and materials This spring, KFF - furniture manufacturer from the East Westphalian city of Lemgo - surprises with a new creation at the Salone del Mobile in Milan. The mediumsized company shows its courage to innovate with the new GAIA chair, exclusively designed for KFF by the well-known Italian designer Monica Armani.

“This chair is a masterpiece in terms of aesthetics and comfort and reflects feminine elegance in its floral, feminine appearance. The sensual form skilfully covers the extremely sophisticated technique of upholstery,”explains Jens Lewe, managing director of KFF. The design brand KFF has been playing successfully for over 33 years with the harmonious trinity of people, furniture and materials. The focus is on longevity, independent design and sustainability. This strategy has led to a balanced collection of many successful model-families, such as TEXAS, MAVERICK, YOUMA, D-LIGHT, LHASA and the currently enormously successful collection ARVA, with the new line ARVA LIGHT. The ARVA Lounge with Ottoman was awarded the German 16 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Design Award earlier this year and thrilled the industry as a reinterpretation of the mid-century design with additional comfort and finesse.

“We design and produce authentic furniture for contract and private living in three seat heights: lounging, dining und high-dining. Our furniture is a companion for life. We want to arouse a sense of happiness and the comfort of our chairs should be transferred to the people who use them,” says Jens Lewe.

KFF furniture is very versatile due to its many designs. Noticeable high-quality leather, exceptionally beautiful fabrics and the wealth of variants in the frame and armrest versions leave plenty of room for the individual needs of customers.

KFF’s path to success began more than thirty years ago with the SINUS chair, by company owner Karl-Friedrich Förster, which has been consistently expanded upon over the years with high quality standards and has been taking off again since 2017 with the ARVA product family.

“We are all very excited to see where the path with GAIA, our wealth of ideas and the desire for fresh design will take us in the next few years, if you would like you join us!” concludes Lewe.

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Home Inspiration – Design Trends of 2018

KFF

Der harmonische Dreiklang von Menschen, Möbeln und Materialien In diesem Frühjahr überrascht KFF – Möbelmanufaktur aus dem ostwestfälischen Lemgo – auf dem Salone del Mobile in Mailand mit einer neuen Kreation. Mut zur Innovation zeigt das mittelständische Unternehmen mit dem neuen Stuhl GAIA, den die bekannte italienische Designerin Monica Armani, exclusiv für KFF entworfen hat. „Dieser Stuhl ist eine Meisterleistung in Bezug auf die Ästhetik und den Komfort und spiegelt die weiblich inszenierte Eleganz in ihrer floralen, femininen Anmutung. Die sinnliche Form überdeckt gekonnt die außerordentlich raffinierte Technik der Polsterung“, erklärt uns Jens Lewe, Geschäftsführer von KFF.

D-LIGHT, LHASA und der aktuell enorm erfolgreichen Kollektion ARVA mit der neuen Linie ARVA LIGHT. Der ARVA Lounge mit Ottoman wurde zu Beginn des Jahres mit dem German Design Award ausgezeichnet und begeistert als Reinterpretation des Mid-Century Designs mit zusätzlichen Komfortfinessen.

Das Designlabel KFF spielt seit über 33 Jahren erfolgreich mit dem harmonischen Dreiklang von Menschen, Möbeln und Materialien.

Die Schwerpunkte liegen auf Langlebigkeit, eigenständigem Design und Nachhaltigkeit.

Diese Strategie führt zu einer ausgewogenen Kollektion von vielen erfolgreichen Modellfamilien wie TEXAS, MAVERICK, YOUMA,

„Wir entwerfen und produzieren authentische Möbel für den Objektbereich und den privaten Wohnraum in drei Sitzhöhen: Lounging, Dining und High-Dining. Unsere Möbel sind Begleiter fürs Leben. Wir möchten damit ein Glücksempfinden hervorrufen und die Gemütlichkeit unserer Stühle soll sich auf die Menschen übertragen“, erzählt uns Jens Lewe.

KFF Möbel sind sehr wandelbar durch viele Optionen in der Ausführung. Fühlbar hochwertige Leder, außergewöhnlich schöne Bezugsstoffe und der Variantenreichtum in den Gestell- und Armlehnen-Ausführungen lassen viel Platz für individuelle Wünsche der Kunden.

Der Erfolgsweg von KFF begann vor über dreißig Jahren mit dem Stuhl SINUS von Firmeninhaber Karl-Friedrich Förster, wurde über Jahre successive mit hohem Qualitätsanspruch ausgebaut und nimmt seit 2017 mit der ARVA Produktfamilie nochmal richtig Fahrt auf. „Wir sind selbst alle sehr gespannt wo uns der Weg mit GAIA, unserem Ideenreichtum und der Lust auf frisches Design in den nächsten Jahren noch hinführen wird. Wenn Sie mögen begleiten Sie uns doch!“ so Lewe. www.kff.de

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 17

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Home Inspiration – Design Trends of 2018

Mural design Relief.

Silent Flower.

Dot acoustic element.

Suspended module Wave.

Room divider Wave.

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: REIMUND BRAUN

Better acoustics through felt:

Bessere Akustik durch Filz:

Handmade interiors with high design standards

Handgefertigte Interiors mit hohem Design-Anspruch

The felt manufacturer HEY-SIGN, founded in 1999, is a specialist for innovative interior design products that also have a positive effect on a room’s acoustics, using home accessories and wall elements made of felt.

‘Made in Germany’ and, upon request, made-to-measure HEY-SIGN products stand for outstanding design quality.

Die 1999 gegründete Filzmanufaktur HEY-SIGN ist ein Spezialist für innovative Produkte im Bereich Innenraumgestaltung – das betrifft auch die Akustik, die sich durch entsprechende Wohnaccessoires und Wandelemente aus Filz maßgeblich verbessern lässt. ‚Made in Germany‘ und auf Wunsch maßgefertigt stehen HEY-SIGN Produkte für herausragende Design-Qualität.

Large office spaces and living areas are indeed visually appealing, but often have a problem with acoustics. HEY-SIGN products – room dividers, carpets, lamps and furniture made of wool felt - are naturally sound-absorbing and have climate-regulating facilities. This allows for designing rooms not only visually, but also acoustically.

Große Büroräume und offene Wohnbereiche sind zwar optisch ansprechend, haben aber oft Probleme mit der Akustik. HEY-SIGN Produkte – Raumteiler, Teppiche, Leuchten oder Möbel – sind aus Wollfilz, der natürlich schalldämmend wirkt und über klimaregulierende Eigenschaften verfügt. Damit lassen sich Räume nicht nur optisch, sondern auch akustisch besser gestalten.

The wall element RELIEF, for example, combines five basic motifs with its counterparts that can be arranged in endless, creative varieties. For this outstanding design, mixing optics and acoustics, HEY-SIGN was awarded as winner of the German Design Award 2018. A reduced design is a core element here, as it is for the acoustic pinboard which merges regular functionality with being sound-absorbing too.

A bit more playful are the wall elements Silent Flower: The curved petals are not only inspired by natural forms, but also absorb the sound in the room. Finding inspiration in nature is a recurring theme: In the room and wall elements of the series Wave, for example, shaped like waves. All HEY-SIGN products come in 40 different colours. Above that, the company also offers made-to-measure solutions.

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Die Wandgestaltung RELIEF beispielsweise kombiniert fünf Grundmotive mit entsprechendem Gegenmotiv, die sich in endlosen, kreativen Varianten und Farben anordnen lassen. Für dieses herausragende Design, das Optik und Akustik miteinander verbindet, wurde HEY-SIGN mit dem Winner des German Design Award 2018 ausgezeichnet. Ein reduziertes Design ist hier Kernelement, ebenso wie beim ‚Akustik‘-Pinboard, das neben der regulären Funktion als Pinnwand auch schallabsorbierend wirkt.

Etwas verspielter sind hingegen die Wandelemente ‚Silent Flower‘: Die gebogenen Blütenblätter lehnen sich nicht nur an natürlichen Formen an, sondern schlucken auch den Schall im Raum. Vorbilder aus der Natur finden sich immer wieder: Bei den Raum- und Wandelementen der Serie Welle zum Beispiel. Alle HEY-SIGN Produkte gibt es in mehr als 40 verschiedenen Farben.

Zudem bietet das Unternehmen maßgefertigte Lösungen. www.hey-sign.de

Luftbefeuchter und Luftreiniger Der ZirbenLüfter® verteilt die natürlichen und wertvollen Wirkstoffe der Zirbe leicht angefeuchtet und belebend im Raum. Zudem geschieht durch die Verwirbelung der Luft in Verbindung mit dem Wasser eine wirksame Reinigung der Raumluft. www.ZirbenLuefter.com news@zirbenluefter.com +43 (0)6245 87494 1

SPECIAL THEME: SWISS CHILDREN’S UNIVERSE 2018

Summer activities to fight the boredom Searching for exciting things to do for your little ones in 2018? If you are heading to Switzerland this year, be sure to check out the following special theme. Here, we take a closer look at some of Switzerland’s top children’s highlights where they can enjoy the great outdoors and much, much more.

PHOTOS: PIXABAY

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 21

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Swiss Children Universe 2018

Children’s play area.

An oasis of peace and pleasure for everyone Are you longing for a break from everyday life for the entire family? The Splash e Spa Tamaro, in the centre of Tessin, offers exactly that. One of Europe’s newest water and wellness parks, it contains the Splash area which caters for fun and adrenaline junkies of all ages, while the SPA area will pamper visitors to the fullest.

ly. For younger children, we have a great children’s play area on offer that impresses with several slides, spray showers, water splashes, a small ship slide and interactive water features.”

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: SPLASH E SPA

Situated in the south of Switzerland, in Tessin, at the foot of Monte Tamaro, Splash e Spa impresses with an ideal geographic location and is thus easily accessible via public transport or car. Thanks to the region’s beautiful climate, visitors can enjoy the sun in the heated outdoor pool yearround. “Splash e Spa is the perfect mix of Swiss organisation and Mediterranean flair,” smiles marketing manager Bettina Brenna. Therefore, as soon as visitors enter the Splash e Spa Tamaro with its vast, light premises and high-quality, modern 22 | Issue 62 | May 2018

materials, they can feel everyday stress quickly vanishing.

A children’s paradise The heart of the structure is the fun area, called the ‘Splash area’. Catered for young and old visitors alike, special highlights are the five water slides of the newest generation which consist of special light, sound and water effects. Brenna explains: “On these, children from the age of six can experience breathtaking moments either alone, in pairs, or with the entire fami-

Also very popular is the 30-metre-long swimming pool with one-metre-high artificial waves which caters for that much-needed holiday feeling. Another highlight in the Splash area is the heated, 34-degree-hot indoor and panoramic outdoor pool with different water and air attractions like bubble loungers, hot tubs, waterfall showers and massage nozzles.

From here, one can enjoy breathtaking views of the mountain panorama. The indoor pool also offers a pool bar in which visitors can indulge in fine drinks without leaving the water.

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Swiss Children’s Universe 2018

Spa offerings for young and old alike After an adrenaline-filled and actionpacked time in the Splash area, visitors should check out the exceptional SPA area.

The sensational wellness area has a lot to offer for adults from the age of 16 (or from 14 when accompanied by parents). In an exclusive and relaxing atmosphere, they can indulge in a special Hammam ritual or enjoy the heat of a chestnut, clay, salt or outdoor sauna next to the iodised salt pool. Those who have not relaxed enough yet, can book a soothing massage or beauty treatment, like the oil massage or a traditional Turkish soap massage. Another highlight is the new snow sauna that has made the sensational spa offering even more attractive. This special wellness experience enables a gentle cooling off after the sauna through a combination of dry, cold and soft snow. To make the most of their spa visit, guests can also try one of four bathing experiences with different focuses to achieve specific health goals. You can choose between the Relax, Detox, Vi-

tality and Sport option and experience the facilities in a specially designed order.

Every Wednesday, children from the age of six can get spa treatments alongside their parents and enjoy the iodised salt pool, different saunas with various infusions, a visit to the Hammam or the salt castle course.

The special family spa offering is a cleansing and balancing route that seeks to strengthen the body’s own defences against the flu and common colds.“With a visit to the SPA, children’s health and school performance can be significantly improved through strengthening the body with the saunas and baths,” explains Brenna.

For families that want to venture out into the surrounding nature and experience a world between wellness and nature, the Tamaro Park packages might be a good option. They comprise a combination of Splash e Spa and Monte Tamaro. So, after enjoying the exciting water slides and the relaxing outdoor pool at Splash e Spa,

one can enjoy breathtaking views during a hike on Monte Tamaro, take the sleigh down the mountain on the toboggan run, or foster one’s balance and self-esteem at the rope park.

All in all, the Splash e Spa Tamaro is a waterpark and spa of exceptional standards.

For guests, this means they can simply sit back, relax and enjoy their stay without having to worry about anything. This is a supreme concept that certainly delivers what it promises. www.splashespa.ch Splash e Spa has been awarded the sought-after ‘Families Welcome’ seal of approval by the Swiss Tourism Federation (STV).

Opening times: - 365 days a year - Monday to Friday: 10am - 10pm - Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 9am - 10pm

Water slide.

Swimming pool with artificial waves.

Toboggan run in the Tamaro Park.

Salt sauna.

Panoramic outdoor pool.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 23

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Swiss Children’s Universe 2018

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN

More than 3,000 games for Mehr als 3,000 Spiele für echte game enthusiasts Spiele-Enthusiasten The family company Board Game Box AG, with premises in both Germany and Switzerland, is a specialist when it comes to board games, and indeed, fun with family and friends. There is no better way to connect with others than to competitively or collaboratively rack one’s brain to find a solution, and to have a laugh together while doing so.

Das Familienunternehmen Board Game Box AG mit zwei Standorten in Deutschland und der Schweiz ist ein Spezialist für Gesellschaftsspiele, für Spaß in der Familie und im Freundeskreis. Denn kaum etwas verbindet mehr als gemeinsam zu grübeln, zu rätseln und zu lachen.

“We are passionate players and want to create a world of games that allows not only our business partners, but also our customers to enjoy this passion that we combine with competence and trust. Every one of our 3,000 games has outstanding capacities, or is great fun in its very own way,”says Michael Zimmerli, chairman and CEO of Board Game Box AG. The company is constantly expanding its product range; “There are many outstanding games we – I, my wife and our daughter – would like to include.”

Michael Zimmerli and his team always have their customers in mind and try to find out which games they would like to play.

For four years now, Board Game Box AG have represented game publishing companies and their games in Switzerland, the DACH region and throughout the rest of the world, and they license games in different languages too.

„Wir sind selbst leidenschaftliche Spieler und möchten die Welt der Spiele so erschaffen, dass unsere Kunden und Partner unsere Leidenschaft, welche mit Vertrauen und Kompetenz verbunden ist, genießen können. Jedes der über 3,000 Spiele hat herausragende Eigenschaften, beziehungsweise macht auf seine Art Spaß“, sagt Michael Zimmerli, Chairman und CEO der Board Game Box AG. Dabei baut das Unternehmen das Sortiment ständig aus. „Es gibt noch sehr viele herausragende Spiele, die wir – ich, meine Frau und unsere Tochter – gerne aufnehmen möchten.“ Michael Zimmerli und sein Team haben stets den Kunden im Blick, versuchen durch Gespräche herauszufinden, welche Spiele diese gerne spielen würden. Seit nunmehr vier Jahren vertritt Board Game Box Verlage und ihre Spiele in der Schweiz, der DACHRegion oder weltweit und lizensiert Spiele in verschiedenen Sprachen.

The company also works with board game authors. Together with, for instance, Daniel Frese, Board Game Box AG published the game Intervention, a round-based 4X strategy board game set in outer space. In the second half of 2018, Board Game Box AG will bring more of their own licensed board games to the market.

24 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Das Unternehmen arbeitet auch mit Spieleautoren zusammen. Gemeinsam mit Daniel Frese hat Board Game Box beispielsweise das Spiel Intervention, Griff nach den Sternen herausgebracht, ein rundenbasiertes 4X Strategiespiel im Weltraum. In der zweiten Hälfte des Jahres 2018 wird Board Game Box AG weitere eigene, lizensierte Spiele veröffentlichen. www.boardgamebox.ch www.boardgamebox.de

Innovation for people on the go!

Whether you’re traveling for business or venturing out on the vacation of a lifetime, DreamStation Go provides an easy, reliable and portable PAP experience for users with sleep apnea who refuse to compromise.

www.philips.ch/dreamfamily

DreamStation

DreamStation Go

DreamWear

DreamMapper

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Swiss Children’s Universe 2018

From top middle: Dweebies, Dragonwood, Verfuxt, Klask and Sleeping Queens.

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: GAME FACTORY

Thrilling games for the whole family

Spannende Spiele für die ganze Familie

The company Game Factory was founded 2008 in Wädenswil at Lake Zurich, Switzerland, and very quickly became a true success story. To date, Game Factory has sold more than 300,000 copies of its first game ABC SRF 3 Original, as well as the On Air version.

Das Unternehmen Game Factory wurde 2008 in Wädenswil am Zürichsee geboren und entwickelte sich schnell zu einem Erfolgsunternehmen. Bis heute sind über 300,000 Exemplare des ersten Spiels ABC SRF 3 Original sowie On Air über den Ladentisch gegangen.

Since 2012 Game Factory has also sold a wide range of other popular games in Germany and Austria. “Our motto is ‘games for family and friends’,” says Rolf Mutter from Game Factory. In 2017 the Game Factory games Klask, Sleeping Queen and Verfuxt were named on the jury’s recommendation list for the critics prize ‘Spiel des Jahres’ (Game of the Year). In France, Verfuxt was awarded the As d’ Or for best children’s game.

Seit 2012 ist Game Factory auch in Deutschland und Österreich mit einem breiten Spieleangebot vertreten. „Unser Motto lautet ‚Spiele für Family & Friends’“, sagt Rolf Mutter von Game Factory. 2017 standen die Game Factory Spiele Klask, Sleeping Queens und Verfuxt auf der Empfehlungsliste der ‚Spiel des Jahres‘-Jury. Verfuxt hat in Frankreich jüngst den As d’Or für das beste Kinderspiel des Jahres gewonnen.

Besides adults, who like to play easy and entertaining games with their friends, Game Factory’s main target group are families with children. Tricky Wave is a good example: Here, players have to get their turtles into the sea battling a tricky wave. The game has easy rules, a 3D game board and turtle figurines to touch, thus making it suitable for children from the age of six.

Dragonwood, a combination of dice and card game that needs tactical thinking, addresses a slightly older age group. And in an extra effort to encourage customers to engage and interact, accompanying the card game Dweebies, Game Factory even holds a monthly drawing contest where children can win a Game Factory game.

26 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Neben Erwachsenen, die gerne lockere und unterhaltsame Spiele mit Freunden spielen, sind Familien mit Kindern eine wichtige Zielgruppe für Game Factory. Das zeigt sich beispielsweise bei Tricky Wave, bei dem Spieler versuchen müssen ihre Schildkröten über eine trickreiche Welle hinweg ins Meer zu bringen. Das Spiel hat einfache Regeln, einen 3D-Spielplan und Schildkröten-Figuren zum Anfassen und eignet sich daher schon für Kinder ab sechs Jahren. An etwas ältere Kinder richtet sich das Spiel Dragonwood, eine Kombination aus Karten- und Würfelspiel, bei dem strategisches Denken gefragt ist. Beim witzigen Kartenspiel Dweebies veranstaltet Game Factory sogar jeden Monat einen Malwettbewerb, bei dem Kinder ein Game Factory Spiel gewinnen können. www.gamefactory-spiele.com facebook.com/gamefactoryspiele

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Urban Mobility Made Easy

Microlino Podcar.

Microlino Podcar.

Micro Eagle Scooter.

Micro Luggage Scooter.

Urban Surfing made trendy Micro Mobility Systems stands for a visionary change in the world of urban mobility.

the smart scooter provides individualised electric energy support, adding wings to your everyday travels.

TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI | PHOTOS: MICRO MOBILITY SYSTEMS

Driven by the claim of realising a ‘Better Urban Lifestyle’, the company invents compatible, space saving solutions for all walks – or runs – of life. The concept is well received, especially in urban settings. “No other scooter is used more by celebrities worldwide than the Micro,” reveals Wim Ouboter, founder and CEO. Commuting, made easy: Public transport can now be combined with exercise, allowing users to get from A to B both swiftly and independently. While the Micro Kickboards offer stability with their two front wheels, all Scooter and Kickboard models are easy to handle and feature safety components such as back-wheel brakes.

Starting out in 1996, the innovative Swiss company has successfully turned a former toy vehicle into a lifestyle product for all ages. By the year 2000, Micro Mobility

Systems was already producing around 80,000 Micro Scooters and Micro Kickboards per day, distributing their products in more than 80 countries.

“Anybody who is able to stand on one leg for more than 15 seconds is a potential user,” says Wim Ouboter. Apart from the renowned Scooters and Kickboards, Micro clients also enjoy the latest product developments such as the Micro Luggage Scooter: It combines kickboard and board luggage at the highest comfort level. Why not bypass the check-in queues and take the luggage scooter on board? It is easily foldable into a compact item and the telescopic steering rod allows the scooter to be reversed into a trolley at your convenience.

The Micro Electro Scooter is ideal for longer distances and commuting. Fitted with sensors that recognise kick efficiency,

The latest in Micro innovation, the Microlino Podcar, will conquer both cities and users in a heartbeat and induce many people to change their minds about urban mobility at large. “For the inner city you don‘t really need a heavy, big SUV,” Wim Ouboter states, “Instead, small and space-saving electric vehicles are in high demand nowadays, with a rising tendency – entirely in line with our motto of creating a ‘Better Urban Lifestyle‘!” www.micro-mobility.com

Micro Lazy Luggage.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 27

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Game Design Deluxe

Main image: Plunder Planet. Anna Lisa Martin-Niedecken & Team. ZHdK, 2017.

Top right: Meantime. Sonja Böckler; Michael Müller. ZHdK, 2016.

Below right: Toni-Areal. Betty Fleck. ZHdK, 2015.

The game designers of the future The Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) offers a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programme for tomorrow’s game designers. Their approach as part of an art university and with a focus on future job opportunities is extremely unique in Europe.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE

In the past ten years, the game industry has been growing like never before and startups keep appearing all over the world.

However, it is still not easy to make a living from game designing itself. The ZHdK recognises this but equally sees an ongoing demand for interactive all-rounders in the world of virtual design, because our society is increasingly more digital-based.

“We train all-rounders,” explains Maike Thies, research fellow for game design at the ZHdK. “When our students graduate, they actually have plenty of opportunities to apply what they have learned in various different sub-fields. For example, they work in design agencies, found their own startup, 28 | Issue 62 | May 2018

or even go into research.” Of course, some of the students also find the funding to realise their passion projects but they do not have to rely just on that.

Both the three-semester Master and the six-semester Bachelor programme, promote a very interdisciplinary approach. To be able to collaborate or exchange ideas with students from different yet highly relevant fields such as architecture or music is a huge advantage and demonstrates even more so why game design should be part of an arts university.

“Especially the collaborations between the game design students and those studying

music and composition is very important,” adds Thies. “The composers create the individual soundscape for our games tailored to the special requirements. This is a unique advantage because our games then simply sound different.”

The course size is kept very small. Per semester there are 18 to 19 students in the Bachelor course and only five to eight in the Master, to ensure that each student has enough supervision and resources. Both courses welcome students from all over the world. Although German is the main teaching language, international applicants who are not yet fluent in German should not shy away from getting in touch.

“We’re also part of the ERASMUS exchange programmes and are used to helping foreign students. Language courses are also available before the semester starts,” says Thies. “If you do a full-time Bachelor

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Game Design Deluxe

course, it is advised to know some German to be able to follow the classes properly.

The Master course is generally more flexible and includes some units in English. We also tailor it depending on the needs of our students and the Master has a stronger tendency towards teaching in English.”

Among others, the research sector of the game design programme focuses on ‘Serious & Applied Games’ like games for educational, rehabilitating or therapeutic purposes. One of the most important projects during the past few years was their involvement in the Cybathlon in 2016, organised

by ETH Zurich.

“We offered a whole competitive discipline with brain-computer-interfaces, short BCIs,” explains Thies. Participants had serverely inhibited or entirely non-existent motor functions form the neck downwards due to a spinal cord injury, a neurological disease or similar disability. Thies contin-

ues: “In the Brain Runners game, the racers guide their avatars through the game only through their brain activity. They wear headsets and send signals via EEG to control the movement of their avatars.”

This shows clearly how much is already possible using BCIs and why it is crucial to continue the research to incorporate this technology further.

“Another interesting project is the game Plunder Planet. This is an adaptive ‘Exergame’ which was developed with and for kids and teenagers. Exergaming (exertion & gaming) transforms the player’s body into a game controller,” says Thies. “It motivates the kids to get up and physically exercise while playing a game and having fun. They wear a heart rate sensor so, depending on their individual capabilities and ingame performance, the game provides either more or less physical or cognitive challenge. This is a genuinely new approach which is now turning into a startup.”

One way to meet Zurich’s game design team with selected student and research projects is at Denmark’s upcoming annual design event ‘3daysofdesign’ in Copenhagen. From 24 to 26 May 2018, the emerging talents of the game design course will showcase their work at the Design Museum and invite visitors to interact. A drive to experiment, visual originality and cultural entrepreneurism characterises all projects. Many workshops and talks give the opportunity to gain a deep insight into the world of game design.

From 7 to 20 June 2018 the MA and BA game design graduates showcase their projects at the Toni-Areal in Zurich. This is not only a great opportunity for potential students but always attracts the creative industry and curious minds alike, as it simply shows what the future holds. www.zhdk.ch http://gamedesign.zhdk.ch Top left: Monocular. Helen Galliker. ZHdK, 2016.

Bottom left: Flux. Yannic Hungerbühler. ZHdK, 2017.

Below: FAR: Lone Sails. Don Schmocker; Goran Saric & Team.

ZHdK, 2017.

Bottom right: Organism. Marco Bach; Tunay Bora. ZHdK, 2016.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 29

Photo: © Mathias Bothor

30 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Discover Germany | Cover Feature | Natalia Wörner

Natalia Wörner

Versatility has a name With appearances in successful theatre productions, hit TV series like Tatort or Die Diplomatin, films such as Vicky’s Nightmare or the mini-series The Pillars of the Earth, German actress Natalia Wörner has proved her worth in a versatile range of roles and has thus become a staple of German and international productions. She speaks to Discover Germany about Berlin, her most memorable roles, the #MeToo debate and more.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF

Some time has passed since German actress Natalia Wörner was first seen on our TV screens – around 24 years in fact. After all, she filmed her first film in 1993 (Frauen sind etwas Wunderbares) and got roles in Dominik Graf’s Die Sieger and the French cinema thriller Die Maschine alongside Gérard Depardieu right after. Wörner smiles: “I have had the dream of becoming an actress from a very early age onwards but I didn’t really know what it meant.

No one in my family had anything to do with it before and I therefore approached this job with curiosity and aspiration. Back then, the driving force that I associated with this job was the feeling of boundless freedom. Today, more than ever, I think that what is so special about this job is that it constantly prompts you to stay awake, to make progress, to go deeper. Nothing is routine, but rather life experience in the broadest sense.”

the actress grew up in a female household with her great-grandmother, her grandmother, her mother and her sister. “It deeply shaped me. These were all women who exemplified independence entirely free of ideology,” the actress recalls. After finishing school, Wörner completed her acting studies at the famous Lee Strasberg School in New York and today, she lives in Berlin. “My home is still south Germany – the people, the mentality, the landscapes, the smells, the food. I notice this more and more. But Berlin also became my home and this is directly linked to the people in my life. It took a while to arrive in Berlin but today I can’t imagine living anywhere else. From time to time, it’s too loud and rough here, but then I flee to the countryside and simply watch nature. Then I can experience a spectacle that is much larger than all our everyday thoughts and worries,”Wörner says.

And Wörner has indeed gained a great degree of life experience: Born in Stuttgart,

Following her drama education, the first acting jobs started to come in. In Ger-

many, for example, the audience got to know her through her first TV role in Nina Grosse’s Kinder der Nacht, or the successful film Irren ist Männlich, directed

by Sherry Hormann. Other examples are various theatre productions, the film thriller Vicky’s Nightmare where she played alongside Christoph Waltz, the international cinema production 20 Nächte und ein Regentag, the mini-series The Pillars of the Earth alongside Eddie Redmayne, and she also secured the leading role in the political series Die Diplomatin.

The passion for different genres From her film portfolio, it can be seen that Wörner has always reinvented herself in various different roles: from playing the love-hungry daughter of a football president in Zum Sterben Schön to the tragic role of a psychologically disturbed victim in Tatort: Perfect Mind. Wörner explains: “I try to avoid repeating my role choices; hence the change of genres and topics.

Each character, each story has its very own strength and necessity, and as an actress, I try to reorganise myself every time in the service of the respective story. The last criteria for choosing a role, however, is my intuition. Does it excite me to play this role? Does it immediately give me a special feeling when reading the script? Does this story have topics on offer that currently move and inspire me? Can I deliver Issue 62 | May 2018 | 31

Discover Germany | Cover Feature | Natalia Wörner

The Pillars of the Earth: Eddie Redmayne as Jack, Hayley Atwell as Aliena, Natalia Wörner as Ellen. Photo: © Tandem Productions GmbH, Pillars Productions (Ontario) Inc., Pillars Productions (Muse) Inc.

something that might even give a different perspective to the movie?”

According to Wörner, one of her most memorable roles was in Tatort: Perfect Mind in 1995. “In it, I play a woman who has a powerful position in a cult and who manipulates her surroundings, but at the same time, she herself is a victim of instrumentalisation and eventually is broken by the system that she herself contributed to.

Playing this role was the first time that I felt like I played something that could have only come from me in this very moment. Back then, it was an important step towards artistic freedom. But I also like to think back on the American mini-series The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. The story plays out in the Middle Ages and my character, Ellen, is a healer who lives alone in the forest with her son and who doesn’t care about the church’s conventions that back then defined people’s lives even more so than today. Of course, she offends others and even has to fear for her life. The way this character was written and her courageous actions made me temporarily think that I could learn something from her as an actress instead of providing my experience to her. It sometimes actually 32 | Issue 62 | May 2018

is a mutual experience and these are the most beautiful moments this job can offer,” smiles Wörner.

“Evil is in vogue” Luckily, new projects that we can look forward to in 2018 are manifold. For example, Wörner continues to captivate her audience in ZDF’s successful crime series Unter Anderen Umständen – the most recent episode’s airing in February had more than eight million viewers and dealt with the very topical issue of power abuse, amidst the #MeToo debate. Wörner recalls: “I still find this debate very important and vital, and hope that a new interaction between men and women defines itself. However, the debate’s hypocritical proportion should face internal criticism. I think that everyone kind of stands there and looks at each other helplessly at the moment. At least it feels that way.”

Her new film Die Diplomatin – Jagd durch Prag, was released on 31 March and was described as a “captivating political thriller with gripping political background, remarkable image composition, engaging music and impressive Prague footage” by film journalist Tilman P. Gangloff. Ad-

ditionally, Wörner shines in front of the camera for the ZDF thriller Gespenster, directed by Sherry Hormann. “Gespenster is rather tough stuff and plays out in Berlin.

I play a sort of mafia chick who turns towards the evil side. A very cathartic experience,” she laughs, and adds: “Evil is in vogue at the moment.”

“Furthermore, I will film two more episodes of my crime series Unter Anderen Umständen this year, as well as another episode of Die Diplomatin, which will be shot this summer too, and it is very likely that I will also film a love story in late autumn,” Wörner reveals.

It looks like the actress will be rather busy with roles this year. But, we would also like to know whether an absolute dream role exists for her. “There is a novel by a South American author which I always carry in my heart and not on my tongue,” she says with a wink. And what about other wishes and dreams? “Everything in life is change and if it goes well: growth. With this in mind I still have plenty of dreams and wishes, but I have also learned that life has its very own plan. I, however, have a navigation system,”Wörner laughs.

Unter Anderen Umständen: Natalia Wörner as inspector Jana Winter. Photo: © ZDF

Die Diplomatin: Natalia Wörner as ambassador Karla Lorenz. Photo: © ARD Degeto / Roland Suso Richter

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 33

Discover Germany | Wine & Dine | Top German Wine Estate

Winery DREI HERREN.

EIGENSINN red wine.

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: DREI HERREN

Small but excellent: Mineral wines from unique vineyard locations Tangy, fruity and markedly mineral – that is the trinity in taste, which makes wines from the vineyard DREI HERREN near Dresden, so distinctive. The Elbe Valley around Dresden, as the smallest wine-growing region in Germany, has a long tradition, but is still one of the undiscovered regions of culture and culinary delight at the highest level.

“The strong mineral character of our wines is the result of the magmatic primary rock, in particular biotite, granodiorite and syenite. Vineyards based on syenite soil like the Radebeuler Oberlößnitz are unique worldwide,” says manager Prof Dr Rainer Beck. Being from a family immersed in wine-growing tradition, the art historian bought the vineyard in 2002, and between 2004 and 2013, continuously expanded it. Today, with the Hermannsberg in the Radlebeuler Oberlößnitz and the Sörnewitzer Taubenheimer hill in the Spaargebirge near Meißen, two vineyards steeped in tradition belong to the winery DREI HERREN. The vines in parts are growing on extremely steep hills with a slope of up to 45 per cent.

The unique site is reflected in the wine’s taste: The current guide published by the 34 | Issue 62 | May 2018

German agricultural society lists DREI HERREN as number one in Saxony and names it as the only vineyard from the federal state of Saxony among the 100 best German wineries. DREI HERREN has won the German ‘Bundesehrenpreis’ several times and the wines are also international award winners, among others, the Berlin Wine Trophy, the AWC Vienna and Meininger’s ‘Best of Riesling’. DREI HERREN also proves that Saxony is not a whitewine region only, as many assume. “DREI HERREN red wines do not have to shy away from international comparison,” says Beck about the internationally prizewinning red wines. Since 2016, cellarer Jacob Öhler has headed the winery. Gentle handling, without any manipulative interference, and a lot of patience – those are the core ingredients for the wines: nine white, one rosé, three red and one sparkling.

Beck’s background in art history and the winegrowing tradition merge in a unique symbiosis at the winery DREI HERREN: Besides offering wine tasting sessions in the Vinothek, a restaurant offers outstanding regional dishes too. The winery also houses an exhibition with high-class contemporary art in its historic rooms, with ‘Enjoying wine and art…’ as the motto. A wine and art hiking-trail leads through the vineyard’s terraces, along modern sculptures and green vines, up to the vantage point ‘Steinerne Schnecke’, a historic building from the 17th century. Here, visitors can again experience what makes the vineyard so outstanding: A panoramic view over the river Elbe towards the famous historic city centre of Dresden and into Saxon Switzerland.

DREI HERREN.

Discover Germany | Wine & Dine | Top German Wine Estate

Klein aber fein:

Mineralische Weine von weltweit einzigartigen Lagen Spritzig, fruchtig und betont mineralisch – das ist der Geschmacksdreiklang der Weine vom Weingut DREI HERREN unweit von Dresden, der diese so unverwechselbar macht. Das Elbtal um Dresden hat als Deutschlands kleinstes Weinanbaugebiet eine lange Tradition, ist aber noch immer eine unentdeckte Kultur- und Genussregion auf hohem Niveau. „Die hohe Mineralität unserer Weine rührt von magmatischen Urgesteinsböden, insbesondere Biotit-Grano-Diorit und Syenit. Weinberge auf Syenitbasis wie zum Beispiel in der Radebeuler Oberlößnitz sind weltweit einmalig“, sagt Unternehmensleiter Prof. Dr. Rainer Beck.

Selbst aus einer Familie mit Weinbautradition stammend hat der Kunsthistoriker das Weingut 2002 erworben und zwischen 2004 und 2013 nach und nach ausgebaut. Heute gehören mit dem Hermannsberg in der Radebeuler Oberlößnitz und dem Sörnewitzer Taubenheimer Berg im Meißner Spaargebirge zwei der traditionsreichsten Weinberge Sachsens zum Weingut DREI HERREN. Die Weine wachsen zum Teil auf extremen Steillagen mit einem Gefälle von bis zu 45 Prozent.

Top 100 der deutschen Weingüter geführt.

DREI HERREN gewann gleich mehrfach den Bundesehrenpreis und wurde auch international ausgezeichnet unter anderem auf der Berliner Wein Trophy, der AWC Vienna oder Meiningers ‚Best of Riesling‘. Dabei hat DREI HERREN auch bewiesen: Sachsen ist nicht nur ein Weißwein-Land, wie häufig angenommen. „DREI HERREN Rotweine brauchen den internationalen Vergleich nicht zu scheuen“, sagt Beck über die international-prämierten Rotweine. Seit 2016 hat Kellermeister Jacob Öhler die Weinbergleitung inne: Schonende Kellerbehandlung ohne manipulative Eingriffe, statt dessen viel Geduld – das sind Kernzutaten für die neun Weißweine, einen Rosé, drei Rotweine und einen Sekt.

Die besondere Lage spiegelt sich im Geschmack: Im aktuellen Wein-Guide der Deutschen Landwirtschaftsgesellschaft (DLG) liegt DREI HERREN auf Platz 1 in Sachsen und ist als einziges sächsisches Weingut in der Liste der

Der kunstgeschichtliche Hintergrund Rainer Becks und die Weinbautradition gehen beim Weingut DREI HERREN eine einzigartige Symbiose ein: Parallel zur Weinverkostung in der Vinothek lädt ein Weinrestaurant mit

ausgezeichneter regionaler Frischküche zum Verweilen ein. Daneben bietet das Weingut in seinen historischen Räumen eine Ausstellung hochwertiger, zeitgenössischer Kunst. ‚Wein und Kunst genießen...‘ ist hier Programm. Ein Wein- und Kunstwanderweg führt durch die terrassierten Steillagen, vorbei an modernen Skulpturen und dem Grün der Weinberge, hinauf zum Aussichtspunkt ‚Steinerne Schnecke‘, einem historischen Bau aus dem 17. Jahrhundert. Am Ende des Aufstiegs zeigt sich erneut, was das Weingut so besonders macht: Ein Panoramablick über die Elbschleife mit der berühmten Dresdner Altstadt bis in die Sächsische Schweiz. www.weingutdreiherren.de Beratung in der Vinothek.

Blick ins Tal, Figuren von Horst Antes.

Weißwein SCHEUREBE.

Vesper – Die Feine.

Kellermeister Jacob Öhler im Kellergewölbe.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 35

SPECIAL THEME: CULINARY INDULGENCE AND LIFESTYLE – MADE IN SWITZERLAND

Discover the taste of Switzerland Switzerland is known for tasty treats like cheese or fondue - but there is far more to discover as entrepreneurs across the country work hard to bring tasty new products and culinary treats to the market. Find out more in the following special theme, but first, let us take a look at some of Switzerland’s best-known treats that you should try on your next visit to the Alpine country.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: PIXABAY

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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Culinary Indulgence and Lifestyle – Made in Switzerland

A common raclette machine.

Rosti A staple of Swiss cuisine, the famous rosti consists of thinly grated potatoes which are fried until crisp and golden. Originally a breakfast dish for farmers, it is now found throughout the country and across mealtimes. Team it up with salty bacon, fried egg and melted raclette cheese, and you will have a delicacy not to be missed!

Fondue A visit to Switzerland simply needs to include a fondue – even it might seem clichéd. However, it has been a must-have for any local or visitor to the country for centuries. And for good reason: it is beautifully tasty and a proper winter meal. How to do it: dunk rustic bread into melted cheeses which are infused with wine and garlic and which bubble over an open flame. A glass of white wine goes perfectly with it.

Raclette And because Switzerland has some rather tasty cheese on offer, we continue with another cheesy dish – raclette, a local cheese

from the Canton of Valais, grilled slowly over a fire. Layer by layer, it is then sliced off to blanket boiled potatoes, pickles and onions. The perfect comfort food! Furthermore, raclette machines are used in many Swiss homes where friends want to gather for hours, indulging in the cheesy dish and many glasses of local wine.

cream and mushrooms, this old-school favourite is one not to be missed out on.

On the following pages, find out what tasty products and innovative delicacies Switzerland’s culinary entrepreneurs have brought to the market recently.

Papet Vaudois A staple of the Canton of Vaud, Papet Vaudois is best described as a mash of leeks and potatoes which are stewed for hours. It tastes almost earthy and oniontinged, and poses as the perfect bed for fat sausages. Dig in!

‘Zurcher geschnetzeltes’ If you’re planning on visiting any restaurant in Switzerland soon, chances are that you will find ‘Zurcher geschnetzeltes’ on its menu. This dish is a Zurich-style ragout of veal and mushrooms, and is both hearty and delicious. Made of sliced veal, calves’ kidneys and sweetbreads which are sautéed in a gravy of butter, onions, white wine,

Cheese fondue.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 37

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Culinary Indulgence and Lifestyle – Made in Switzerland

Left: Founders Dominik Neff (left) and Raphael Stöckli (right).

Right: Landskroner Blond and Landskroner Brunette.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: HICE PHOTO BY SILVAN MEYER

Homage to the fine art of craft beer

Hommage an die hohe Kunst des Craft Bieres

What started as the idea of two childhood friends in the Landskronweg in Leimental near Basel, turned into an insider’s gem of the local craft beer scene – thanks to innovation and creativity.

Was einst am Landskronweg im Leimental bei Basel als Idee zweier Jugendfreunde entstand, hat sich dank Innovation und Kreativität zum Insidertipp der lokalen Craft-Bier Szene entwickelt.

Dominik Neff and Raphael Stöckli founded Landskroner Bräu in 2013. Only two years later they celebrated their first major order at the Art Basel. Aside from classic beers, they always had a passion for crafting personalised beers, such as the ‘Drummeli-Beer’ for Basel’s legendary pre-carnival event.

Dominik Neff und Raphael Stöckli gründeten Landskroner Bräu im Jahre 2013. Bereits zwei Jahre später feierten sie den ersten Großauftrag an der Art Basel. Nebst den klassischen Biersorten, verfolgten sie schon früh den Ansatz personalisierter Biere, unter anderem kreierten sie das ‚Drummeli-Bier‘ für die berühmte Basler Vorfasnachtsveranstaltung.

“The fine pale beer Landkroner Blond is our classic and stands out amongst leading beer brands. Four different malts, including caramel-malt, intensify the aroma,” explains Stöckli. “The complex Landskroner Brunette boasts a full-bodied flavour and pleasant malt aroma. The subtle roasted-malt taste completes the experience.”

„Das Landskroner Blond ist unser Klassiker. Es ist ein edles Helles, das sich von den führenden Biermarken abhebt. Verwendet werden vier verschiedene Malzsorten, darunter auch Caramelmalz, die das Aroma intensivieren”, erklärt Stöckli. „Das komplexe Landskroner Brunette glänzt durch sein vollmundiges Aroma mit angenehmem Hopfen-Flavour. Im Hintergrund überzeugt das dezente Röstmalzaroma.”

New arrivals to their range are the Landskroner Pale Ale, a top-fermented beer with citrus, grapefruit, passion fruit and orange flavours, as well as the special beer Landskroner WHITE IPA with wheat. It is fermented with Belgian yeast, refined with coriander and orange peel, and hopped like an India Pale Ale.

Neu sind das Lanskroner Pale Ale, ein obergäriges Bier mit Citrus-, Grapefruit-, Maracuja- und Orangenaroma, sowie das Spezialbier Landskroner WHITE IPA mit Weizenanteil. Es ist mit einer belgischen Hefe vergoren, mit Koriander und Orangenschalen veredelt und wie ein India Pale Ale gehopft.

“It’s a lot of effort to produce a good craft beer but when you hold a unique beer creation in your hands, it’s absolutely worth it,” smiles Stöckli.

„Der Aufwand für ein gutes Craft Bier ist groß, doch am Ende lohnt sich die Arbeit, wenn man eine einzigartige Bier-Kreation in den Händen hält”, lächelt Stöckli. www.landskroner.ch

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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Culinary Indulgence and Lifestyle – Made in Switzerland

Nah am Lieferanten und am Kunden Besonderer Honig, der nicht nur schmeckt, sondern auch gut tut – darauf hat sich Honig Zangger aus Gebertingen im Kanton St. Gallen spezialisiert.

TEXT: INA FRANK I FOTOS: HONIG ZANGGER

Seit 1984 importiert das Familienunternehmen Honig aus Neuseeland. Insbesondere der nur dort erhältliche Manuka-Honig hat einen hohen Methylgloxalgehalt; dieser Stoff kann Bakterien vernichten, zum Beispiel schädliche Magenbakterien. „Wir sind 1983 nach Neuseeland ausgewandert und haben Land und Leute kennen und schätzen gelernt“, berichtet Inhaber Lukas Zangger. Dort wurde das Export-Geschäft dann auch gegründet. 1984 kehrte die Familie in die Schweiz zurück und importiert seitdem den besonderen NeuseelandHonig. Auch Hautpflege- und spezielle Hand- und Fußcremes mit Manuka gehören zu den Produkten.

Weitere Honigsorten von Honig Zangger stammen aus der Schweiz, Deutschland, Frankreich Italien, Kroa-

Hopf Schwiiz!

tien, Österreich, Portugal und Spanien. „Wir kennen viele unserer Imkerlieferanten seit Jahren persönlich und wissen, wie sie arbeiten und wie sie imkern“, erzählt Lukas Zangger, „das ist für uns sehr wichtig, denn wir kaufen ausschließlich Qualitätshonig und Spezialsorten.“ Gerade die Chargen von Manuka-Honig würden ausgiebig getestet; auf die Inhaltsstoffe und insbesondere auf den Methylgloxalgehalt, der diesen Honig so speziell macht. Zudem arbeitet Honig Zangger nachhaltig: Mithilfe von Photovoltaikanlagen wird der gesamte Strom, den der Betrieb braucht, selbst produziert.

Honig Zangger ist stets offen für neue Produkte, die im Zusammenhang mit Honig, Manuka oder Manuka-Öl entstehen.

Derzeit hat der Betrieb circa 30 Sorten Ho-

www.honig.sg Honig Zangger.ch - seit 1983 ein bekannter Name in der Honigwelt.

Manuka-Honig.

Manuka-Zweig mit Blüten.

TEXT: SILKE HENKELE I FOTOS: SIMMENTALER BRAUMANUFAKTUR GMBH

Denkt man an die Schweiz, so ist es nicht unbedingt Bier, das einem dabei als erstes in den Sinn kommt. Dank der Simmentaler Braumanufaktur könnte sich das bald ändern.

Gelegen am Wildstrubelmassiv, finden die drei Inhaber der 2014 gegründeten Simmentaler Braumanufaktur an der Lenk im Simmental die bestmöglichen Voraussetzungen für die Herstellung ihres einzigartigen Bieres. „Zum Bierbrauen sind meine beiden Partner Tristan, David und ich durch eine Reise in die USA gekommen”, erzählt Björn Thoma, Miteigentümer und -gründer der Simmentaler Braumanufaktur. „Da wir drei einen hohen Anspruch an uns und unsere Produkte haben, war es von Anfang an klar, nur die besten Malzund Hopfenarten zu verwenden, und ausschließlich mit dem klaren, einzigartigen Simmentaler Bergwasser zu brauen, das unseren Bieren aufgrund seiner außergewöhnlichen Qualität die Möglichkeit zur optimalen Geschmacksentfaltung bietet”, erklärt Thoma.

nig und weitere Produkte im Verkauf, die alle über den Online-Shop erworben werden können. „Neue Spezialhonigsorten suchen wir immer, um unser Sortiment zu erweitern. Delikatessen sind unsere Stärke“, fasst Zangger zusammen.

Das außergewöhnliche Bier der Simmentaler Braumanufaktur, das komplett vor Ort gebraut und abgefüllt wird, hat sich in den vergangenen vier Jahren zu einem echten Highlight auf dem Biermarkt entwickelt und erfreut sich ständig wachsender Beliebtheit. „Wir beliefern mittlerweile neben Schweizer Regionen wie bspw. Simmental, Bern, Basel oder Zürich auch die französische Schweiz und seit neuestem auch Süddeutschland”, zählt Thoma auf.

Für die kommende FußballWeltmeisterschaft haben sich die Brauer der Simmentaler Braumanufaktur etwas ganz Besonderes einfallen lassen: „Ende April haben wir unsere neueste Kreation, das Lagerbier ‚Hopf Schwiiz’ lanciert, ein süffiges Sommerbier, das wir unter anderem mit Schweizer Hopfen und mit Blut-

orangen brauen und das auf keiner Fußballparty fehlen sollte”, freut sich Thoma. www.simmentalerbier.ch www.hopfschwiiz.ch

Das ‚Hopf Schwiiz’.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 39

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Culinary Indulgence and Lifestyle – Made in Switzerland

Tenz at Zurich’s Street Food Festival.

Momos (Tibetan dumplings) in various versions, served with fresh salads and Tenz’s homemade chilli sauce.

Handmade – each momo is made by hand.

Less is more In Zurich’s lively Lochergut district, one can find an exceptional, new concept: here, three young Tibetans offer authentic Tibetan cuisine in a warm, sincere ambiance.

What once started as an innovative street food offering around Switzerland has grown into the successful Tenz restaurant.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: TENZ GMBH

“According to the motto ‘less is more’, we have specialised in ‘momos’ (Tibetan wheat dough dumplings that are traditionally filled with yak meat and served for celebratory meals). With the objective of getting the most out of this special product, we have created different shapes, colours and non-traditional fillings like spinach or shiitake mushroom to turn momos into a product for everybody,” smiles Lobsang Reichlin, one of the Tenz restaurant’s three dynamic founders. Today, Tenz’s delicious, steamed dumplings impress young and old alike with their soft shells and their juicy, perfectly seasoned fillings.

The momos had their beginnings in the kitchen of Tenzin Tibatsang who fled from occupied Tibet to Nepal and India as a child. When he was a graphic designer for 40 | Issue 62 | May 2018

an advertising agency in Zurich, he designed a political campaign for Tibet which he wanted to finance with momos – a delicacy that he knew from his family. His agency colleagues were Tibatsang’s guinea pigs and they were astonished by the taste. Thus, soon after, he began offering the speciality to the public at Zurich’s Street Food Festival and the rest is history. To meet the momo demand, Lobsang Reichlin and Chimey Nelung, who both have Tibetan roots and know Tibatsang from the Tibetan Youth Association, joined the team. “Back then, we were politically active. Today, we build awareness for Tibet and try to bring Tibetan culture closer to the people with our momos,”explains Reichlin.

What started off as street food, has now become a successful restaurant in Zu-

rich’s Lochergut district. Tenz impresses with a small menu that puts emphasis on different momos, served with a variety of salads. Signature dishes that should not be missed here are the Swiss beef momos (‘Tenz Classic Rind’) or the vegetarian momos (‘Tenz Classic Vegi’). Reichlin concludes: “As much as we love our little restaurant, Tibetans are nomads. Maybe that’s why we feel home on the road and have continued to steam our momos at small and large festivals all over Switzerland since 2015.” www.tenz.ch

Switzerland was one of the first countries that took in Tibetan refugees after China’s occupation of Tibet. Therefore, Europe’s largest Tibetan exile community can be found in Switzerland today.

Tenz restaurant primarily employs young Tibetan students and refugees from Tibet. Additionally, Tenz supports different projects that deal with Tibet every year (for example, the Tibet Film Festival).

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Culinary Indulgence and Lifestyle – Made in Switzerland

Organic, artisan vegan cheeses made in Switzerland Vegan cheese by New Roots is a fine example of an important change in culinary trends, beliefs and ethics.

TEXT: SILKE HENKELE

Founded in 2015 in Thun, New Roots promotes a conscious and healthy lifestyle. “Both my partner Freddy Hunziker and myself are ethical vegans. One of the main motives to found New Roots was our desire to produce and offer a high-quality alternative to animal-based cheese - but without losing the artisan touch,” recalls Alice Fauconnet, co-founder and head of marketing at New Roots.

New Roots’ vegan cheese convinces by its unique taste, outstanding quality and an entirely natural production process: “We make cheese using the same traditional methods and fermentation techniques that are used for ‘classic’ cheese. We have replaced animal milk by homemade organic cashew milk and as we don’t add any flavourings, the different tastes and textures develop naturally and with the fer-

mentation and aging processes,” explains Alice, describing the production process of New Roots’ cheese.

New Roots’ natural concept, its ethics and efforts to promote a fairer and more sustainable world without compromising the taste and quality of their products,

pays off well.“Vegan cheese by New Roots is available in Switzerland as well as in the UK and we are looking forward to conquering the French and German market soon,”Alice says.

You can find your nearest vendor of New Roots cheese on the store locator on their website and, if you live in Switzerland, also order their products online. www.newroots.ch Instagram: @new__roots Alice, co-founder of New Roots. Photo: © Manuel Lopez

Free-the-Goat Cheeze, just as fluffy and delicious as ricotta. Photo: © Pascale Amez

42 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Discover Germany | Star Interview | Katharina Kaali

Katharina Kaali On the importance of contentment Born in Helsinki, the Finnish-German actress Katharina Kaali grew up in Berlin and has since been seen in movies like Turkish for Beginners and Binny and the Ghost.

As a staple of German television, she has recently also released a CD that seeks to help people to find inner contentment through an ancient Indian philosophy. She speaks to Discover Germany about how to find inner contentment, the knowledge of the Vedas and much more.

K. Kaali: I find that acceptance, appreciation, compassion, joy and deceleration are important factors to achieve more contentment in everyday life.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTO: NADJA KLIER

K. Kaali: I feel very strongly about supporting other people and thus, want to give them a closer understanding of the knowledge of the Vedas for a happy life through workshops, presentations and readings. After all, the wonderful thing is: we carry everything that we need to be happy within us!

Actress – has that always been your dream job or did others ever exist?

K. Kaali: Oh, yes. I knew that I wanted to become an actress from a very early stage.

And from that point on, I worked towards this goal.

We know you from Turkish for Beginners or Binny and the Ghost, amongst others. Which role do you like to think back on most and why?

K. Kaali: These two productions are definitely in my top five. Not primarily due to the figures that I was able to play (even though they were wonderful), but rather due to the shooting conditions – great ensembles and teams, wonderful colleagues, great scripts and a huge amount of fun on the set. We spend so much time at our workplace, so it’s very beautiful that it is filled with joy and laughter too.

What role I love to think back on, however, is playing Rosa/Lola in Der Blaue Engel, which I played in Hamburg. It was a very special challenge for me.

After a stroke of fate, you decided to broaden your knowledge of the Vedas, an ancient Indian philosophy and you were able to find inner contentment and happiness through that. What were you able to pick up in India?

K. Kaali: I have dealt with the knowledge of the Vedas for over 10 years and have travelled to India every year. I’m always deeply touched by the people and their attitude towards life. They lead lives in acceptance and inner calm. This really influenced me, as well as the question of ‘who am I and what is my task in life?’.

One thing unites us all: we are on the quest for happiness, however different this might look for each one of us. To be able to sense happiness, we need the basis of contentment, and contentment is achieved through acceptance and appreciation of what is.

At the end of last year, you released your first CD, called Veda. How does this CD help other people to find inner contentment?

What else can we look forward to from you in 2018?

What other dreams and wishes does Katharina Kaali still have?

K. Kaali: I wish for more awareness of the consciousness of our existence and our ability to feel, think and act.

The CD Veda can be bought on Amazon and more information on the knowledge of the Vedas can be found on the following website. www.veda-wege.de

K. Kaali: The CD is an expression of my gratitude. Making sequences from the rich knowledge of the Vedas accessible to others, is what is important to me. That’s why the CD’s entire profits get donated too. Many listeners feel inspired to learn more through the sound of word and music and are very relaxed. And relaxation also holds contentment.

Do you have general tips and tricks for contentment in everyday life?

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 43

Photo: © Switzerland Tourism, swiss-image.ch/Ivo Scholz

SPECIAL THEME: CULTURE HIGHLIGHTS SWITZERLAND – THE BEST CULTURAL OFFERINGS OF 2018

Explore Switzerland’s diverse cultural landscape Culture enthusiasts will find their fair share of things to do in Switzerland as the country is full of great museums, inspiring art galleries and exhibitions, diverse cultural offerings and much more. Let us explore some of the country’s top cultural events it has on offer this year.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF

Photo: © Switzerland Tourism, swiss-image.ch/Giglio Pasqua

44 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Culture Highlights Switzerland – The Best Cultural Offerings Of 2018

Klosters Music Festival. Photo: © swiss-image.ch/Photo Andy Mettler

Des Jardins et des Livres, Geneva (until 9 September)

Montreux Jazz Festival (29 June – 14 July)

The Bodmer Foudnation in Cologny, just outside of Geneva, is one of the largest private libraries in the world and has early and very rare editions of Goethe’s Faust, Shakespeare or the Gutenberg Bible besides 150,000 other items in some 80 languages on offer. This summer, the Mario Botta-designed space is showcasing exceptional books on gardens.

The Montreux Jazz Festival is an evolving festival that is steeped in rich heritage and is always well worth a visit. Jazz fans from all walks of lives can listen to enchanting music at three magnificent venues – each with their very own specific personalities.

Furthermore, a selection of free events and workshops are additional highlights.

Last, but not least, the entire spectacle is surrounded by a most spectacular natural backdrop.

Art Basel (14 – 17 June) Art lovers from around the world will flock to Basel in June. Why? Because it’s Art Basel time! The most prestigious international art fair, called the “Olympics of art world” by the New York Times, will showcase modern and contemporary art works of all sorts from around 300 carefully selected galleries from across the planet. On show are paintings, sculptures, photographs, performances by over 4,000 artists and much, much more. Look forward to all the famous names like Picasso, Warhol or Jeff Koons.

Locarno Festival (1 – 11 August) Created as a festival to discover new talents and new trends, Locarno has firmly established itself as a highlight for the new generation. It has often spotted young directors that have grown up to be established filmmakers. Visitors to the auteur cinema festival can look forward to share the passion for cinema in all its diversity with thousands of fellow film fans and industry professionals.

The Kunstmuseum Winterthur. Photo: © Switzerland Tourism, swiss-image.ch/Ivo Scholz

On the following pages, we have handpicked the country’s cultural highlights of 2018 to get you inspired for your next trip to the Alpine country.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 45

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Culture Highlights Switzerland – The Best Cultural Offerings Of 2018

Left: Villa Pury - The museum.

Top middle: Salle Plumes.

Below middle: Salle Ambassade.

Right: Mobile d’étiquettes.

Musée d’ethnographie de Neuchâtel:

Reflecting on global issues in an experimental, theatrical way The Musée d’ethnographie de Neuchâtel is a progressive museum for art from all five continents located in Switzerland’s beautiful museum-packed town of Neuchâtel.

partment is dedicated to bridging the gap between young people and ethnography from kindergarten to university.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTOS: ALAIN GERMOND / MUSÉE D’ETHNOGRAPHIE DE NEUCHÂTEL

Founded in 1904, the museum is split into two sites: One focuses on classical ethnography, displaying a vast collection of interesting objects from all over the world, while the other focuses on the exhibition project. In fact, the Musée d’ethnographie de Neuchâtel is famous for this latter part, as the concepts are very unusual, bold and immersive.

“We are mostly tackling contemporary issues such as heritage policies, subcultures, loss or the role of technology in daily life,” says Yann Laville, the museum’s codirector. “We even did an exhibition about noises, as a way to question the notion of music. The idea is always to reflect on issues from a transcultural perspective. In this view, we often juxtapose ethnographic material and things coming from the global, consumer society.”

46 | Issue 62 | May 2018

The Musée d’ethnographie de Neuchâtel is well known in the International art scene and hence attracts many visitors thanks to its challenging, theatrical and sleekly-designed displays. It is an incredible destination for anyone who has an interest in critical thinking, humanities, or art in general. A true inside tip for summer is to have a coffee on the museum’s beautiful terrace overlooking the lake Neuchâtel, with the Alps in the background. The town itself is famous for its large museum scene, making it perfect for a culture-filled trip to Switzerland.

As an organisation that actively wants to engage its visitors with the presented material and encourage them to ask questions, the Musée d’ethnographie de Neuchâtel of course also offers classes and events for its younger guests. An entire de-

“Each time we have a new exhibition, you are in a totally new world,” adds Laville.

“Here, it’s not about displaying objects in windows or wide, white spaces. Instead we create contexts, atmospheres and experiences. Everything changes again with each new exhibition.”

At the Musée d’ethnographie de Neuchâtel you can look forward to art you can experience fully, and critical concepts which will stay with you long after your visit. www.men.ch

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Culture Highlights Switzerland – The Best Cultural Offerings Of 2018

Left: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: La Clownesse assise, 1896. Photo: © Kunst Museum Winterthur Middle: Anselm Feuerbach: Iphigenie, 1870. Photo: © Kunst Museum Winterthur Right: Pipilotti Rist: I'm Not The Girl Who Misses Much, 1986. Photo: © Pipilotti Rist Bottom: Solo exhibition Katinka Bock: Population (erschöpft) – Population (exhausted), 2017. Photo: © Courtesy of the artist/ Galerie Meyer Riegger, Berlin

TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI

Rethinking female perception in the arts

Ansichtssache: Kunst und Weiblichkeit

2018 is women’s year at Kunst Museum Winterthur.

2018 ist das Jahr der Frauen im Kunst Museum Winterthur.

Alongside alternating solo shows, the thematic special exhibition Women shows the artistic depiction of the female over time, juxtaposed with groundbreaking contemporary works.

Parallel mit wechselnden Einzelausstellungen wirft Women – Frauenbilder durch die Jahrhunderte Licht auf die Reflektion des Weiblichen in der Kunst, indem die klassische Perzeption den Werken zeitgenössischer Künstlerinnen thematisch gegenüberstellt wird.

The way women were perceived and depicted by male artists has dominated the art world for hundreds of years, with few exceptions. But ever since women’s rights have become an agenda, female artists have continuously gained ground, setting up their easel (or camera) at a much different angle, so to speak.

Pipilotti Rist’s renowned video I’m Not the Girl Who Misses Much (1986), for example, shows an overactive, puppet-like dance underscored by a Beatles’ song, during which both pictures and sound are distorted to the point where the performance becomes both unsettling and abstruse.

Collection treasures such as Anselm Feuerbach’s hauntingly beautiful Iphigenie (1870) or Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s self confident Clownesse assise (1896) form the exhibition’s counterpart, showing the classic male angle on female nature.

Under its new umbrella name, Kunst Museum Winterthur strives to interlink the old and the new – with exhibitions that draw from the riches of its two major collections while putting them in context with outstanding contemporary art.

Die rein männliche Sicht auf die Frau hat die Kunstwelt mit wenigen Ausnahmen über Jahrhunderte hinweg geprägt. Seitdem Frauenrechte zum Thema wurden, haben Künstlerinnen allerdings kontinuierlich an Raum gewonnen, innerhalb dessen sie Staffelei oder Kamera auch mal ganz anders ausrichten können.

So zeigt Pipilotti Rists bekanntes Video I‘m Not the Girl Who Misses Much (1986) zum Beispiel eine puppenhaft hyperaktive Tanzperformance, die von einem Beatles-Song begleitet wird. Sowohl Bild als auch Sound werden dabei so stark verzerrt, dass die Performance zu einem beunruhigend abstrusen Geschehen mutiert.

Ikonen der Sammlungen wie Anselm Feuerbachs eindringlich schöne Iphigenie (1870) oder Henri de Toulouse-Lautrecs selbstbewusste Clownesse assise (1896) bilden den Counterpart der Ausstellung Women, indem sie den klassisch männlichen Blickwinkel auf die weibliche Natur aufzeigen.

Die neue Dachmarke des Kunst Museum Winterthur schafft den Brückenschlag zwischen Alt und Neu – mit Einzelausstellungen hervorragender zeitgenössischer KünstlerInnen sowie thematisch angelegten Ausstellungen, in denen Werke der weltbekannten hauseigenen Sammlungen jenen der zeitgenössischen Kunst im Dialog gegenüberstehen. www.kmw.ch Issue 62 | May 2018 | 47

Discover Germany | Culture Feature | From Witches’ Dances to Tree Theft – German May Traditions

Harz National Park. Photo: © Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus

German May traditions

From witches’ dances to tree theft Few months in the year boast as many traditional celebrations in Germany as ‘Wonnemonat Mai’, the blissful month of May. The days are getting warmer, flowers are in full bloom and festivities from mountain-top witch parties to the erection of maypoles lift everybody’s spirits.

TEXT: WIBKE CARTER

German May Day celebrations start on 30 April, in the night to 1 May when, according to legend, witches arrive on broomsticks from all corners of the world to gather at the Hexentanzplatz (Witches‘ dance floor) before flying to the Brocken, the highest peak of the Harz Mountains. There, they have supposedly been meeting since the mid-17th century to light fires, celebrate the arrival of spring and ‘hold revels with the devil’. To this day, thousands of people, mainly women dressed in witches‘ costumes, meet up and dance around bonfires during the famous ‘Walpurgis Night’.

48 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Everywhere in Germany, people kick off their shoes and dance the night away as the next day, 1 May, is a national holiday.

Though there is no time to rest for the men in southern Germany where muscle power and stamina are required. On this day, the maibaum (May tree or maypole) will be raised to welcome spring and hoisting it is a tough job that makes most men break out in a sweat. Local folklore groups dress up in their finest costumes to celebrate this important annual occasion during which the tree is carried through the village, accompanied by music. Every maypole, normally a birch tree, is uniquely

decorated with ribbons, wreaths or signs denoting local craftsmen’s guilds. The most important job goes to the ‘maibaumkraxler’ who has to scale the maypole, attach the wreath and make it safely back down to the ground again.

Part of the maypole tradition is that villages try to steal it from each other. If they succeed, the safe return is negotiated with ransoms involving large quantities of beer and food. The tree theft follows strict rules: sawing or damaging the maypole is frowned upon as is a non-payment of the ransom. The most spectacular robbery happened in 2004 at the top of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain (2962 metres), when cunning thieves used a helicopter to steal the maypole.

In the old days, single men of the village would organise parties, dances and cele-

Discover Germany | Culture Feature | From Witches’ Dances to Tree Theft – German May Traditions

brations to get unmarried maidens into the spirit of May. If then a wedding took place, a tree decorated with colourful streamers and ribbons would be placed in front of the bride’s house. Although the maypole’s original meaning has vanished over time, in some regions, young male suitors still decorate trees and put them before their beloved‘s home as a sign of love. Another traditional way of revealing a crush is to draw a line (maistrich) with a piece of chalk meandering all the way through the village and ending in a great big heart in which the initials of the two people involved are written. In many regions, when the bonfire is almost extinguished, young lovers will often jump hand in hand over the burning embers in a custom called ‘maisprung‘ (May jump).

Another joyous May tradition is Mother’s Day which is normally celebrated on the second Sunday of the month. Invented in 1644 in England, Mother‘s Day made its way to Germany in 1923, but the tradition of giving presents and flowers to one‘s mother did not really take off until after World War II.

A main ingredient, along with wine, is sweet woodruff, which gives the beverage a green colour, though fruit also takes a prominent role. Invented by a Benedictine monk in the year 854 as a ‘medicinal drink‘ to strengthen heart and liver, people nowadays enjoy it on a balmy spring evening in a beer garden.

Many customs and symbols are connected with May and it is possibly the month most sung about by poets and songwriters. Maiglöckchen (Maybells) are in bloom, gardens display young green grass and spring flowers, and people sing songs to celebrate this blissful time. There is even a special drink to enjoy: maibowle. May punch is often mixed according to people‘s old family recipes.

But May celebrations are not just about witches, maypoles and bonfires. Like in many other countries, the first of May is Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit) in Germany.

Rallies, marches, and demonstrations take place when people stand up for better work situations and conditions, along with safer work environments and more job securities, in an attempt to create a brighter future for their families.

Witches for sale at the Harz Mountains.

Photo: © Wibke Carter

May punch. Photo: © Oldiefan

Erection of maypole. Photo: © Tassilo111

Lily of the valley. Photo: © WebAndi

May fire. Photo: © Hans

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 49

Discover Germany | Travel | Spanische Hofreitschule

TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI

Spanish Riding School, Vienna. Photo: © Stefan Seelig

Glorious events and in-depth insights The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is a 453-year-old institution. It has survived several wars, including the two World Wars, and the change from monarchy to republic.

TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI

Rich in tradition and full of expertise, the performances and tours, as well as the morning exercise featuring the trademark Lipizzan horses, are a magnet for international riding enthusiasts and aesthetes alike. “It is the combination of architecture, music and the art of riding that is so fascinating for the audience from all over the world,” general director Elisabeth Gürtler explains.

Two major events at the SRS will draw the crowds this summer: The Fête Impériale on 29 June and the ‘Piber Meets Vienna’ programme starting on 3 July.

The Fête Impériale is an inspiring event which will take place for the ninth time this year. In Imperial times, Empress 50 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Maria Theresia was known for her ‘Lady Carousels’ in the renowned Winter Riding School, built by Baroque architect Emanuel Fischer von Erlach in 1735. This traditional ball was reintroduced in 2010 and since then has become an annual celebration: Each year, around 2,500 guests enjoy conversing and dancing on the SRS premises at the oldest and most beautiful summer ball of Vienna, celebrated openair in the Summer Riding School, on the galleries of the Winter Riding School, and at the ‘Stallburg’ courtyard.

With the summer programme, ‘Piber Meets Vienna’, taking place during the school stallions’ well-earned summer break, visitors learn about everyday life at a stud farm. The origins of the Lipiz-

zan horses date back to 1580. Interested guests will gain insights into the breeding, rearing and dressage of the white stars at the Piber stud, as well as a chance to admire the lovely mares and their foals at the Fischer von Erlach riding arena.

“We strive to maintain our high standards and hope to draw people as yet unfamiliar with the traditions of the Spanish Riding School, with new ideas,” Elisabeth Gürtler explains, “and we are looking forward to inviting our guests to once more indulge in the glories of the Austrian imperial period at the Fête Impériale!”

Piber Meets Vienna. Photo: © RGE-Media

Discover Germany | Travel | Spanische Hofreitschule

Glanzvolle Events und Einblicke ins Gestütsleben Die Spanische Hofreitschule Wien ist mit 435 Jahren eine traditionsreiche Institution. Sie hat nicht nur mehrere Kriege, darunter die beiden Weltkriege, überstanden, sondern ebenso den Übergang von der Monarchie in die Republik.

Reich an Tradition und Können locken die Vorführungen,Tourneen und die Morgenarbeit mit den weißen Lipizzaner-Pferden Reitenthusiasten und Ästheten aus aller Welt. „Es ist die Kombination aus Architektur, Musik und Reitkunst, die den Besucher fasziniert“, erklärt Generaldirektorin Elisabeth Gürtler.

„Wir wollen unseren hohen Anspruch weiterhin erfüllen. Für das Sommerprogramm haben wir neue Ideen und wollen gern auch diejenigen Gäste erreichen, die es – aus welchem Grund auch immer – bisher noch nicht

in die Spanische Hofreitschule geschafft haben“, erklärt Elisabeth Gürtler, „und natürlich bereiten wir uns intensiv auf unseren Sommerball, die Fête Impériale vor, bei der mehr als 2,000 Menschen flanieren, parlieren und tanzen – und den Glanz aus Kaisers Zeiten erleben!“ www.srs.at

Für diesen Sommer sind zwei große Events in Vorbereitung: Die seit Jahren vielbesuchte Fête Impériale sowie interessante Einsichten in die Zucht und Aufzucht der Lipizzaner mit dem Sommerprogramm ‚Piber Meets Vienna‘.

Die Fête Impériale ist ein ‚Sommerballtraum‘, der dieses Jahr bereits zum neunten Mal zelebriert wird. Kaiserin Maria Theresa war im achtzehnten Jahrhundert bereits bekannt für Ihre ‚Damenkarussels‘ in der berühmten Winterreitschule, 1735 erbaut vom Barock-Architekten Emanuel Fischer von Erlach. Diese Tradition wurde mit dem Sommerball in der SRS wiedererweckt und findet seit 2010 regelmäßig statt: Einmal im Jahr versammeln sich um die 2,500 Gäste zum parlieren, flanieren und tanzen auf dem Gelände der Spanischen Hofreitschule. Der älteste und schönste Sommerball Wiens findet sowohl im Freien, in der Sommerreitbahn als auch in der Winterreitschule und der ‚Stallburg‘ statt.

Fête Impériale, Debütanten. Foto: © RGE-Media

Fête Impériale, Debütanten. Foto: © RGE-Media

Mit dem Sommerprogramm ‚Piber Meets Vienna‘, welches während der wohlverdienten Sommerpause für die Schulhengste stattfindet, wird interessierten Gästen das Gestütsleben nahegebracht. Viele wissen zunächst wenig über die Herkunft der traditionsreichen Lipizzaner Pferde, einer Rasse die bis ins Jahr 1580 zurückgeht. Einsichten in Zucht, Aufzucht und Dressur der weißen Stars am staatlich geführten Gestüt in Piber wechseln ab mit der Freude am Anblick der wunderschönen Stuten und Fohlen in der Fischer von Erlach Reithalle.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 51

Discover Germany | Travel Feature | International Tourism Boom – Next Stop: Germany

Saxon Switzerland National Park, famous Bastei.

Photo: © Anita Demianowicz

International tourism boom

Next stop: Germany Numbers don’t lie, right? And according to the latest tourism statistics for Germany, the country has become a ‘bestseller destination’, as the German Tourist Board calls it. For the eighth year in a row, the number of international tourists visiting Germany has again increased in 2017 and is up by 3.6 per cent. Based on data from the Federal Statistical Office for January to December 2017, this translates into 83.9 million international overnight stays.

TEXT: BARBARA GEIER

For anyone primarily associating Germany with industry and manufacturing, this might come as a surprise. However, for anyone who really knows Germany and certainly for the many Germans who year after year choose their own country as their favourite holiday destination, it’s simply the confirmation of a fact: Yes, there are indeed very good holidays to be had in Germany.

The country’s way to becoming an international travel destination was not 52 | Issue 62 | May 2018

an overnight success and is certainly not over yet. It is always hard to shake off a long-standing image: While Spain, Italy, France or Greece are established holiday destinations and have ‘always’ been, Germany is historically simply branded differently. In this context, it is almost as if tourism has developed in the background, slowly but surely working its way up towards becoming a major economic factor: According to the DIW (German Institute for Economic Research), tourism now accounts for 3.9 per cent of Germany’s gross

economic product – more than mechanical engineering or retail trade – and foreign overnight guests generate around 37 billion euros, almost 30 per cent of tourist consumption in Germany.

International travellers notwithstanding, the first ones to clock on to the country’s potential for holidays were the Germans themselves. From the coastline in the north to the Zugspitze in the south, they have developed a very soft spot for the many varied destinations their ‘Heimat’ has to offer: With almost 30 per cent of all holidays and trips, Germany is the German people’s number one destination and more popular than international favourites like Spain, Italy and Turkey.

City breaks are particularly liked, a trend that is mirrored by international travellers: The combination of urban cool with world-class culture and a certain

Discover Germany | Travel Feature | International Tourism Boom – Next Stop: Germany

historical touch that cities such as Berlin, Hamburg or Munich can offer are a big draw. Couple that with – compared on an international level – very good value for money, great hotels that do not cost the world and a top infrastructure and you have some of the most important requirements for tourism nailed.

Incidentally, Berlin, Munich and Hamburg are also the top three German city destinations of British travellers, followed

by Frankfurt and Cologne. From a UK perspective, Germany is still a niche destination, however, one that has steadily become more attractive, with growing visitor numbers year after year. This January, the UK moved in to second position worldwide of the most important source markets for Germany, with 326,836 overnight stays from the UK and a 7.9 per cent year on year increase. Some tourism marketing professionals actually believe that they can pinpoint a certain event when things and the perceptions that Brits had of Germany started to change: In 2006, the World Cup came to Germany, the country turned into one big party during one seemingly endless summer, and the world – including the UK – saw a different side to Germany. One that is Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie concert hall.

Photo: © www.mediaserver.hamburg.de / Christian O. Bruch, Laif

not ‘boring and grey’ but fun, young, cool and interesting.

variety and very even spread of attractive – urban as well as outdoor – destinations.

Then, there is the never-ending power of Berlin that, particularly in the UK, has helped enormously to put Germany on the agenda as a travel destination and also open it up to younger people. For many, Berlin is probably the gateway to Germany and the place from where they then ‘branch out’ – to discover something that has turned the country into a serious contender on the international scene: its

Beach holidays? Yes, absolutely. Both the North Sea and Baltic Coast have mile after mile of rather splendid fine white sand beaches plus islands and resorts that offer exactly the kind of idiosyncratic charm and off-the-beaten track vibe that travellers are after nowadays. Mountains? There is, of course, the Alps and Bavaria in the south with picture perfect landscapes and ideal for families, but also very unexpected, stun-

Hainich National Park, treetop trail.

Photo. © Andreas Weise

Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate.

Photo: © Dagmar Schwelle

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 53

Discover Germany | Travel Feature | International Tourism Boom – Next Stop: Germany

Travemünde’s beach.

Photo: © www.mediaserver.hamburg.de

ning sceneries such as Saxon Switzerland’s sandstone mountains in the east. Lakes?

Forests? Yes, another two ticks. From Lake Constance, Europe’s third biggest lake, to the bucolic and peaceful watery world of the ‘Mecklenburg Lake District’ just north of Berlin, from the Black Forest to ancient woodlands such as Hainich National Park in Thuringia – there is nature in abundance.

And if some of the things mentioned in this line-up are complete news to you, that is another reason why Germany is on the up with international travellers: There is still a lot to discover, away from the crowds and usual suspects – while still benefiting from all the mod cons that a highly developed country can afford to visitors. So, who knows, at some point in the future, it won’t all be “Vorsprung durch Technik” anymore, but also a dose of “Let’s beach it in Germany”!

54 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Street Food Thursday in Markthalle Neun.

Photo: © visitBerlin, Dagmar Schwelle

Discover Germany | Travel | Destination of the Month

Left: Evening atmosphere in Quedlinburg.

Photo: © Juergen Meusel

DESTINATION OF THE MONTH

Top right: A trip with the traditional Harz Narrow Gauge Railway.

Photo: © Harzer Schmalspurbahnen GmbH, Dirk Bahnsen

Harz Mountains Breathtaking nature in the heart of Germany

Below right: Family trip to the museum and exhibition mine Rammelsberg Photo: © HTV, M. Gloger

The legendary mountain region Harz offers almost everything a visitor, and especially families, are looking for in an attractive holiday destination: cultural sites of world class, unique adventures in untouched nature and a vast range of leisure activities.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE

With 9,000 kilometres of trails, this area is a true hiking paradise for nature lovers.

The ‘Harzer-Hexen-Stieg‘ is one of ‘Germany’s top trails’ and promises a hike over several days with around 100 kilometres across the diverse Harz landscape: Dark, dense spruce forests, swampy, misty cliffs and summits on light-flooded plateaus, colourful blossoming mountain meadows, gently murmuring creeks and vibrant deciduous forests. Be it the ‘Teufelsstieg’ over the ‘Knochenbrecher’ (bone crusher) or the Ilse valley with its Heinrich-HeinePath, the climb to the Brocken (at 1,141 metres, the highest mountain in northern Germany) is an integral part of most holidays in the Harz Mountains.

56 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Aside from the hiking opportunities there are various other adventurous outdoor activities on offer, such as the fast summer toboggan run, the Megazipline, wall-running, the suspension bridge TITAN RT, the challenging climbing parks and the cableways. Whatever your preference, it certainly will not get boring. Even mountain bike fans can look forward to real adventures in the Harz region, thanks to 2,200 kilometres of signposted routes with various levels of difficulty.

Centuries of culture up close In order to get the full picture of the Harz Mountains, visitors have to explore its culture and history. Castles and

forts tell stories of long lost glory. Knight tournaments and medieval festivals take visitors back in time. A variety of museums explore history, craftsmanship and technology in an exciting way and encourage guests to explore, discover and try out. During a trip with the traditional Harz Narrow Gauge Railway, engineering comes alive. The impressive steam engines run through the romantic Selke valley, the southern part of the Harz, or wind through the national park, Harz, up to the highest summit, the Brocken. It is an exciting train ride experience, just like it was a hundred years ago.

And if that is not enough already, there are three UNESCO World Heritage sites out of their 41 listed cultural and nature sites in Germany with ‘outstanding universal value’. 26 years ago, UNESCO named the former ore mine, Rammelsberg, and the old town of Goslar as world heritage sites of mankind. With the Rammelsberg

Discover Germany | Travel | Destination of the Month

facilities above and underground, it was the first time that a part of Germany’s industrial cultural history was added to the list of world heritage sites. In 2010, the site expanded when the premises of the Upper Harz Water Management System was included. The entire ensemble is one of the biggest and oldest mining regions in Europe and measures a stunning 200 square kilometres.

The city of Quedlinburg at the northeastern edge of the Harz Mountains is over 1,000 years old, features over 2,000 timbered houses and buildings of Romanticism as well as Wilhelminian-style and Art Nouveau villas. It takes visitors back in time to a long-gone era. Here, history and culture are as alive as ever.

The city interplays beautifully with the past and the future. The Quedlinburger’s music summer 2018 attracts music lovers and artists, young and old, from far and wide to visit the UNESCO World Heritage town. Sophisticated classical music

compositions and vibrant performing arts fill the historic buildings with life.

In 1517 Dr Martin Luther started the reformation of the Catholic Church when he nailed the 95 theses to the castle church in Wittenberg. Still today, this is influencing our life, our traditions and even our education system and politics - regardless of whether we are catholic, protestant or follow no religion. As the ‘authentic location of the reformation and hence of exceptional universal significance’, the Luther memorials in the Lutherstadt Eisleben have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.

The birthplace of Luther in Eisleben shows various stages of his life and also gives insight into the reformer’s descent.

Special events at remarkable locations Many events with large amounts of visitors bring the nature sites and historical buildings of the Harz to life. From ballet performances at the forest stage and cabaret in the mines, to classical concerts in

front of the breathtaking cathedral: the Harz region offers top culture events in unique locations all year round. On top of that, the Harz castle-, cave- and mountain theatres offer a diverse programme, and top acts encourage music lovers to dance in nature during the area’s many festivals. www.harzinfo.de Top left: Taking a break from hiking at Hahnenklee.

Photo: © HTV, M. Gloger Top right: Hiking at Ilsetal. Photo: © HTV, M. Gloger Below left: Town square of Eisleben with the Luther memorial.

Photo: © Raymond Faure Right: Picnic by the Imperial Palace of Goslar.

Photo: © HTV, M. Gloger

More UNESCO World Heritage sites in surrounding areas: - The Hildesheim Cathedral of Assumption of Mary - Fagus Factory in Alfeld-Hannover - Bauhaus Dessau - The Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz - Luther memorials in Lutherstadt Wittenberg

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 57

Discover Germany | Travel | Alpenwelt Karwendel Mittenwald Krün Wallgau Tourismus

Left: Hay bales on the hummocky meadows.

Photo: © Alpenwelt Karwendel / Wera Tuma Top right: The Maria Rast Chapel in the hummocky meadows.

Photo: © Alpenwelt Karwendel / Christoph Schober

Where hiking and indulgence go hand in hand

Below right: Schmalensee Lake in autumn. Photo: © Alenwelt Karwendel / Stefan Eisend

Around 100 kilometres south of Munich, between the famous Zugspitze and the Karwendel mountain range, one can find the Alpenwelt Karwendel. Here, in the vast Bavarian high valley with breathtaking panoramic mountain views, visitors can experience unparalleled nature experiences, untouched countryside, lived traditions and regional delicacies that are best discovered on exciting hikes.

up to one metre developed on the limey ground. Today, young and old alike can look forward to an exceptional hike from Wallgau to Mittenwald that features a variety of landscapes, as well as a rich offering of culinary treats along the way.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF

If you are looking for a somewhat different holiday this year, you should probably head to the Alpenwelt Karwendel around the three towns of Mittenwald, Krün and Wallgau. It combines special nature experiences, such as small creeks, sparkling lakes, colourful meadows, picturesque forests and beautiful gorges like the Geisterklamm. The latter is one of the region’s favourite sights with its waterfalls and deep gorges, and poses as a perfect hiking hotspot. Of course, distinctive peaks like the Soiernspitze also belong to the Alpenwelt Karwendel. At 2,257 metres, the Soiernspitze is the highest mountain in the Soiern Group and its summit can be climbed in an easy, yet breathtaking mountain hike. “And what 58 | Issue 62 | May 2018

could be better than jumping in a lake after an eventful mountain hike,” smiles Sarah Hoffmann, marketing manager at Alpenwelt Karwendel.

One of Bavaria’s Top 100 biotopes “In summer, there’s a lot to discover in the Alpenwelt Karwendel. Visitors especially appreciate our ‘Buckelwiesen’ (hummocky meadows),” Hoffmann says. This is most definitely an insider’s tip for nature lovers and families alike: one of Bavaria’s Top 100 biotopes. The hummocky meadows which still get mowed by hand are a relic from the ice age as the distinctively hilly meadows developed in the ‘Würm glaciation’, the last glacial period in the Alps, when thousands of individual hills with heights

Hoffmann’s advice is to leave the car behind and to take the bus to Wallgau. From there, the hike leads to the idyllically situated Maria Rast Chapel before reaching the Goasalm mountain hut which is a perfect place to stop for a bite to eat. Here, a farm shop and a small cheese factory should not be missed as the local farm produces many great goat’s milk products.

Especially popular is the goat’s milk ice cream. Or how about a special souvenir for your home, like the handmade hay cushions from the hummocky meadows?

Next stop on the sunny, alpine hiking route is the Schmalensee Lake and, before reaching the historic town centre of Mittenwald, a visit to the quaint Gröblalm lodge is advised. Here, the junior chef,

Discover Germany | Travel | Alpenwelt Karwendel

who is also a confectioner, serves tasty cream puffs and, after this delicacy, visitors should try the senior’s hazelnut schnapps from the lodge’s own schnapps distillery.

Hoffmann adds: “My advice is to start the hike in Wallgau because then you have panoramic views of the Wetterstein range and the Karwendel the entire time.”

Other regional delicacies and products that should be checked out when in the area are the special ‘Buckelwiesen’ salt, sheep’s wool products from Werdenfels which can be bought in the centre of Mittenwald, and a variety of tasty regional marmalades and beer from the Mittenwald Brewery, which has produced beer since 1808 and is also Germany’s highest situated private brewery.

Experiencing the extraordinary Apart from a vast array of regional products and the distinctive natural beauty, there is far more to experience in the Alpenwelt Karwendel. For example, from this month onwards, visitors can learn

more about regional herbs through picking and processing them themselves. Several guided tours on herbalism are offered in Krün, while Mittenwald places its emphasis on herb hikes, and Wallgau offers special hikes with a focus on wild herbs.

Or how about experiencing lived traditions first-hand? For example, visitors can gaze at several buildings with the region’s traditional fresco paintings in Mittenwald. Furthermore, artist Bernhard Rieger seeks to carry on this ancient tradition with modern interpretations which are definitely worth a visit. His atelier can be found in Krün.

Of course, nature highlights are never scarce in the Alpenwelt Karwendel either.

You can marvel at beautiful crocuses on the hummocky meadows in spring, enjoy numerous mountain lakes during the bathing season in summer or marvel at the ceremonial driving down of cattle from the mountains into the valley in autumn. And last but not least, Wallgau’s Advent market

of the senses will take place later this year, once again in one of the village’s oldest row of houses.

In the Alpenwelt Karwendel, every season has its very own highlights and thus, it is always worth a visit! www.alpenwelt-karwendel.de/en More about the ‘Buckelwiesen‘ hike: - Hiking path number: 400 (in the local hiking trail network) - Length: 12.2 kilometres - Walking time: around three hours - Altitude: 114 metres

Left: Barn on the hummocky meadows.

Photo: © Alpenwelt Karwendel / Maximilian Ziegler Middle: Springtime. Photo: © Alpenwelt Karwendel / Wera Tuma Right: Hummocky meadows in autumn.

Photo: © Alpenwelt Karwendel / Wera Tuma Bottom left: Evening mood. Photo: © Alpenwelt Karwendel / Wolfgang Ehn Bottom right: Crocus blossom on the hummocky meadows. Photo: © Alpenwelt Karwendel / Wera Tuma

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 59

Discover Germany | Travel | Hotel of the Month, Germany

HOTEL OF THE MONTH, GERMANY

Vital Hotel Meiser

Der Wellness Geheimtipp im Herzen Süddeutschlands Eingebettet in wunderschöne Natur und mit 1,000 Quadratmetern SPA-Fläche, lädt das Vital Hotel Meiser zum Entspannen und Verweilen ein. Nicht weit vom idyllischen Dinkelsbühl mit einer der schönsten Altstädte Deutschlands, ist das Vier-Sterne Superior Hotel eine wunderbare Adresse um einmal so richtig die Seele baumeln zu lassen.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I FOTOS: VITAL HOTEL MEISER

Gastfreundschaft und Einfallsreichtum zum Wohle der Gäste gehören seit dem Jahre 1880 zur Philosophie im Hause Meiser. Über sechs Generationen im Familienbesitz, hat sich das Hotel stetig weiterentwickelt und ist heute eine der Top Adressen in Süddeutschland. Das Gebäude des heutigen Vital Hotel Meiser in Neustädtlein wurde im Jahr 2003 erbaut.

Mit verschiedenen Restaurant-Stuben, zehn Wellnesskabinen, einem TechnoGym-Fitnessbereich, dem Indoor- & Outdoorpool, Dampfbad & Sauna, Ruhebereiche sowie großen Premium Tagungsräumen und weiteren 67 Hotelzimmern und Suiten, hat das Hotel nicht nur Kapazität, sondern kennt sich auch bestens 60 | Issue 62 | May 2018

mit den verschiedenen Wünschen der Gäste aus. Von vielseitigen ErholungsArrangements über professionelle Tagungen bis hin zu traumhaften Hochzeiten ist im Vital Hotel Meiser alles möglich.

Vor allem der großzügige, moderne SPA-Bereich lässt keine Wünsche offen und lockt viele Gäste für ein wunderbares Entspannungswochenende. „Bei uns werden die Gäste von A bis Z richtig verwöhnt, damit sie sich auch wirklich tiefgehend vom stressigen Alltag erholen können“, erzählt Melanie Etzel, Assistentin der Geschäftsleitung. „Wir sehnen uns nach Momenten, in denen wir ganz wir selbst sein können – bis

in die Fußspitzen. Unsere individuelle Wohlfühlbehandlung, bestehend aus einer Auswahl von verschiedenen Duftrichtungen & Massagetechniken, zelebriert diesen Moment und berührt das Ich“, fährt sie fort. „Unsere Ayurveda-Massagen sind dabei besonders beliebt, aber gerade auch die Anti-Stress oder Energiemassagen finden große Zustimmung bei unseren Gästen.“ Etwas Besonderes ist ebenfalls die PartnerAnwendung, bei welcher man zu zweit im gleichen Raum behandelt wird. „Das Hotel ist allerdings nicht nur eine Oase für Wellnessgäste “, so Melanie Etzel.

Es kommen neben Geschäftsreisenden auch Familien, und das Hotel ist offen für alle, die sich etwas Gutes tun wollen. „Die Altstadt Dinkelsbühl ist ca. sieben Autominuten von uns entfernt und wurde vom Magazin FOCUS als die schönste Altstadt Deutschlands gekürt“, erzählt Melanie Etzel. „So sind wir zwar in ruhiger Natur aber direkt an diese romantische Stadt angebunden, was ideal für unsere Gäste ist.

Auch Rothenburg ob der Tauber ist nicht

Discover Germany | Travel | Hotel of the Month, Germany

weit entfernt und hat ein sehr umfangreiches kulturelles Programm.“ Neben dem großen Kulturangebot in Dinkelsbühl und Rothenburg ob der Tauber, die allein schon eine Reise wert sind, gibt es in der Umgebung des Hotels sieben verschiedene Golfplätze, sowie viele Outdoor- und Freizeitangebote, auch für das jüngere Publikum.

Kulinarisch werden die Gäste ebenfalls bestens versorgt. „In unserem gemütlichen Restaurant mit den heimeligen Stuben und dem lichtdurchfluteten Wintergarten vereinen sich stilvolles Ambiente und liebevolle Details“, sagt Melanie Etzel. „Ein Ort an welchem hoher Genuss, kulinarische Vielfalt und beste Qualität zusammenfinden.

Das Vital-Hotel Restaurant bietet neben einer umfangreichen à-la-Carte-Auswahl ebenso den passenden Rahmen für Feierlichkeiten oder für romantische CandleLight-Dinners zu zweit.“ Die gesunden, frischen Produkte kommen größtenteils aus regionalem Anbau, sowie von Produzenten aus dem fränkisch-hohenlohischen Umland. Regionale Tradition wird hier mit mediterranen Einflüssen und moderner, ernährungsbewusster

Ausgewogenheit gepaart. Das harmonische Resultat ist ein echtes Highlight für den Gaumen. Eine umfangreiche Weinkarte bietet zu jedem kulinarischen Event den passenden Begleiter. „Unsere Hotel-Bar und Lobby sind bei unseren Gästen, egal ob am Nachmittag oder in den Abendstunden, ein beliebter Treffpunkt“, fügt Melanie Etzel hinzu.

Köstliche hausgemachte Kuchen und Kaffeespezialitäten laden zum Verweilen ein.

Ein edler Tropfen bei Kerzenschein oder ein exotischer Cocktail in unvergesslicher Atmosphäre sind perfekt zum Ausklingen am Ende des Tages.

Auch für Tagungen bietet das Vital Hotel Meiser ideale Bedingungen. Inmitten der inspirierenden Natur, aber dennoch gut angebunden an das Verkehrsnetz, kann man in den lichtdurchfluteten Seminarräumen mit modernster Konferenztechnik wunderbar tagen. Ebenso ist das Hotel bestens für Feiern und Events aller Art ausgestattet. Der traumhafte Rosengarten ist der neue Bankett-Saal, welcher 60 bis 240 Personen Platz zum Feiern bietet.

Stimmungsvolle Kronleuchter und moderne Lichtdeckenfelder tauchen den gesamten Raum sanft in die Wunschfarbe

der Gäste. Ob Hochzeiten, Familien- oder Firmenfeiern, das Vital Hotel Meiser ist Profi für Events.

Für Wellness-Fans ist zurzeit das Frühlings-Arrangement besonders empfehlenswert. Buchbar bis zum 17. Juni, lässt es vom Saunadorf bis zur Felsgrotte mit Kübeldusche und Wasserfall keine Wünsche offen. Verschieden lange Packages können diesbezüglich auf der Website gebucht werden. Es lohnt sich aber auch auf der Website die anderen Arrangements durchzuschauen, da das Hotel für unterschiedliche Zwecke eine Vielfalt von Angeboten bietet.

Mit der perfekten Lage vor den Toren von Dinkelsbühl und Rothenburg ob der Tauber, dem top SPA-Bereich, den Wellness-Anwendungen und der unvergesslichen Atmosphäre des ganzen Hotels ist das Vital Hotel Meiser einfach eine wunderbare Adresse um sich zu erholen oder die süddeutsche Umgebung zu erkunden.

Aber eigentlich braucht man gar keinen richtigen Grund vorbeizuschauen – denn es ist einfach nur schön hier. Eben ein echter Geheimtipp. www.vitalhotel-meiser.de

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 61

Discover Germany | Travel | Hotel of the Month, Switzerland

HOTEL OF THE MONTH, SWITZERLAND

Hôtel Les Sources des Alpes Whether you are a foodie or on a spa retreat, as a couple or with the whole family: there is always a good reason to escape to the marvellous five-star Hôtel Les Sources des Alpes. Thanks to the hot springs and stunning location in Loèche-lesBains, a spa resort in the heart of Switzerland, it is a great destination all year round.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: HÔTEL LES SOURCES DES ALPES

The benefits of hydrotherapy and the thermal springs were already known to the Romans and back then Loèche-lesBains was known as ‘Balnea Lecensia’.

A few centuries later in 1834, Hôtel Les Sources des Alpes opened its doors for the very first time. Since then, one attraction remains the same: the thermal springs, which are part of the hotel’s own outdoor and indoor pools.

“There are no less than 65 natural springs that have built the reputation of the thermal baths, with temperatures reaching 51° centigrade. A revitalising bath in our very own thermal hot springs is one of those experiences that are simply unforgettable,” smiles hotel director Antoine Default.

“Hot-stone and essential oil massages, fango, and sculpting body treatments complete the extensive range of spa treat62 | Issue 62 | May 2018

ments.” Individual slimming and detox cures can also be booked, and the service stands out by being very authentic. The rooms are spacious and welcoming. A perfect environment in which to relax.

Hôtel Les Sources des Alpes is a five-star hotel, which offers not only top quality and service but also fantastic gourmet food. The award-winning gourmet restaurant La Malvoisie offers contemporary cuisine with a top tasting menu and for those preferring it more casual, La Brasserie is the right choice.“Before or after dinner, enjoy the cosy atmosphere of our piano bar with a glass of Wallis wine or a carefully prepared cocktail,” Antoine adds.

Alexandre Dumas, Léon Tolstoï as well as Charlie Chaplin have been amongst the many guests enjoying a glass or two at this legendary bar.

In winter, 50 kilometres of powdery ski slopes tempt any winter-sports fan and during summer, 300 kilometres of hiking paths offer stunning views and untouched nature. “Take a walk and admire the old, solid wooden chalets and the hot water fountains,” says Antoine. “Loèche-lesBains welcomes you to a stay to restore your energies, to escape everyday life and to let your soul be enchanted.” www.sourcesdesalpes.ch

First feelgood hotel in the Allgäu

Holiday or meeting in the Alps – or both?

Set high above Oberstdorf with a spectacular panoramic view over the Alps, the convivial 4-star superior Hotel Oberstdorf attracts visitors with its sophisticated blend of contemporary design and traditional Allgäu flair.

Relaxation in the mountains

Meetings, workshops and incentives

The first feelgood hotel in the Allgäu region provides highlights such as a unique atmosphere in its big new Alpine Wellness World, a 360 sqm natural bathing lake in the garden of the hotel and an attractive and versatile programme for guests. Each room offers hidden details to explore and takes the guest on a journey throughout this beautiful place.

Amongst a delightfully modern Alpine ambiance and a genuine feel-good atmosphere, this is where you'll find the time and space for creative conferences and workshops. With the hotel's own cooking studio, natural bathing lake and the spectacular mountain view, your company's event will evolve into a longlasting experience for the entire team.

Bold, a little bit cheeky and rather distinctive – and this isn’t just the décor! Lively and unreservedly welcoming, the team at Hotel Oberstdorf pride themselves on offering a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere, which few can rival. Many guest activities such as live music, hiking trips and whisky tastings are offered.

Alpine Wellness opening from now through July 4th 3 Days including half-board, Alpine Wellness with two spa treatments, free mountain railway tickets, whisky tasting, afternoon cooking classes and more from € 348/p.p.

Hotel Oberstdorf HHHHs · Reute 20 · D-87561 Oberstdorf Tel +49 (0)8322 940 770 · Fax +49 (0)8322 940 777 00 info@hotel-oberstdorf.de · www.hotel-oberstdorf.de Oberstdorfer Hotel Besitz und Betriebs GmbH & Co. KG, GF: Sebastian Reisigl

Feelgood meeting packages include • Overnight stay with breakfast buffet • Conference package with lunch buffet and coffee break • Light and airy conference room equipped with the latest technology • Evening buffet, group cookery workshop in the hotel’s own cooking studio or a barbecue beside the bathing lake • Access to the Alpine Wellness World 2 Days / 1 Night from € 189/p.p.

S P E C I A L T H E M E : C E B I T 2 0 1 8 – I N N O VAT I O N A N D D I G I T I S AT I O N

Countdown time: New CEBIT promises excitement in spades From 11 until 15 June, the famous trade fair CEBIT will come to Hannover once again and will sport an innovative programme with new content, new formats and an optimised hall layout. The show will retain its uncompromising commitment to business and leads, but will pack a heightened emotional aspect and freshness that will give it even greater impact.

TEXT: DEUTSCHE MESSE AG, NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: © DEUTSCHE MESSE

64 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Discover Germany | Special Theme | CEBIT 2018 – Innovation and Digitisation

At CEBIT 2018, everything is geared to generating business, leads and bright ideas.

With its exhibitor displays, expert conferences and prime networking opportunities, CEBIT is a triple-punch event covering everything essential to the digitisation of business, government and society. Visitors to this year’s trade fair can look forward to CEBIT becoming even more powerful content-wise - its focus will be on the nine keynote themes of digitisation: Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Security, Blockchain, Drones and Unmanned Systems, Future Mobility, Human Robotics and Workspace 4.0.

“With its winning threefold mix of innovation-rich showcases, quality conferences and informal networking opportunities, the new CEBIT will provide a 360 perspective on the digitisation of business, government and society,” commented Deutsche Messe managing board member Oliver Frese. “As well as attracting IT experts, industry professionals and top-level decision-makers from the digital and

IT user industries, our aim with the new CEBIT is increasingly to reach the next generation of business decision-makers.”

The new CEBIT format comprises four main sections: d!conomy, d!tec, d!talk and d!campus. The innovations on display in the d!conomy section give IT professionals and decision-makers from business, trade and the public sector, the tools they need to futureproof their operations through digitisation. The key d!conomy exhibition topics include Digital Business, Digital Administration, Internet of Things, Security, Communication & Networks, Channel & Distribution, Mobile Solutions, and Data Centres. The d!tec section of the show is all about pioneering developers, cutting-edge innovations and startups. The d!talk conference platform will be home to visionaries, lateral thinkers, experts and creatives from all around the world. And then there is the d!campus, the emotional heart of CEBIT, where everyone can mingle freely and network while chilling to live music and street food.

Inspiring live talks and presentations on stage by thought leaders and IT legends will, of course, also be part of CEBIT’s programme this year. In short: As Europe’s business festival for innovation and digitisation, CEBIT 2018 will provide a fun and engaging new perspective on B2B networking and showcase digital solutions for everyday life in a way that has never been done before. www.cebit.de/en

50 per cent discount on your CEBIT ticket Simply enter the discount code ‘VSVauSfbjR‘ in the ticket shop and pay 50 euros instead of 100 euros for an Impulse ticket for CEBIT 2018. www.cebit.de/en/tickets

Let us meet some of this year’s CEBIT exhibitors on the following pages.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 65

Discover Germany | Special Theme | CEBIT 2018 – Innovation and Digitisation

Since its foundation in 1994, SNP’s headquarters can be found in Heidelberg. Photo: © Fotolia, eyetronic

TEXT: PAOLA KRAUSS, SNP SE, TRANSLATION: BARBARA GEIER

Shaping the future of businesses Innovative software solutions by SNP Group More than 20 years ago, Dr. Andreas Schneider-Neureither founded SchneiderNeureither & Partner AG (SNP) in Heidelberg – with a clear goal in sight. The company, which has been operating as a Societas Europaea (SE) since 2017, is now a household name in the field of IT transformations and is well on its way to setting international standards with its smart software solutions and comprehensive service offering for software-based data transformations.

At the core of SNP’s business model sits a high-performance software portfolio that supports companies to implement even the most complex business management and technological changes in their business applications and to use new technologies.

Constant change requires reliable partners Faced with globalisation, digitisation and Industry 4.0, companies are constantly changing. More businesses are acquired or sold and in this context, tech infrastructures and business processes need to be restructured. Plus, a lot of organisations have simply realised the necessity for investing in revamping existing and out-ofdate IT structures. To keep up with techno66 | Issue 62 | May 2018

logical changes and the rapidly advancing networking and digitisation processes, these measures are nowadays not only decisive factors for remaining competitive but, in fact, essential for survival.

As each IT systems change has an immediate effect on business processes, data transformations are highly critical operations and, as early as in the planning phase, require technology tools that guarantee a thorough analysis of the status quo to prevent mistakes in the subsequent execution of the project. In order to also eliminate mistakes during the implementation phase, SNP works with highly automated processes. The company’s latest software product ‘CrystalBridge’ combines

all SNP software products in one homogeneous software platform, closing the gap between analysis and implementation for its clients. CrystalBridge works as a kind of navigation bridge that enables companies to visualise and simulate changes in IT systems and their effects prior to implementing them. A high degree of automatisation creates transparency and minimises risk, as well as reduces the cost of these complex projects – and means that businesses are ready for the future.

About SNP SNP Group is headquartered in Heidelberg with 1,350 employees worldwide. In the financial year 2017, it achieved a turnover of 122,3 million euros. The company’s clients are globally operating groups in all industry sectors. SNP was founded in 1994. It went public in 2000 and since 2014, has been listed in Frankfurt Stock Exchange’s Prime Standard (ISIN DE0007203705). Since 2017, the company has been operating as a Societas Europaea (SE).

Discover Germany | Special Theme | CEBIT 2018 – Innovation and Digitisation

Die Zukunft von Unternehmen mitgestalten

Innovative Softwarelösungen der SNP Gruppe Vor über 20 Jahren gründete Dr. Andreas Schneider-Neureither in Heidelberg die Schneider-Neureither & Partner AG mit einem klaren Ziel vor Augen. Das Unternehmen, seit 2017 eine SE, hat sich weltweit einen Namen im Bereich ITTransformationen gemacht und ist auf dem besten Weg, mit seinen smarten Softwarelösungen und umfassenden Beratungsservices zum internationalen Standard für softwarebasierte Datentransformationen zu werden.

Kern des SNP Geschäftsmodells ist ein hochleistungsfähiges Softwareportfolio, das Unternehmen dabei unterstützt, selbst komplexeste betriebswirtschaftliche und technische Änderungen in den Geschäftsanwendungen umzusetzen und neue Technologien zu nutzen.

Im ständigen Wandel brauchen Unternehmen verlässliche Partner Unternehmen verändern sich im Kontext von Globalisierung, Digitalisierung und Industrie 4.0 permanent, es kommt immer häufiger zu Unternehmenszu- und -verkäufen beziehungsweise. Umstrukturierungen der technischen Landschaften und Geschäftsprozesse.

Viele Organisationen haben aber auch einfach die Notwendigkeit erkannt, in die Erneuerung bestehender und veralteter IT-Strukturen zu investieren. Um Schritt halten zu können mit

SNP erobert den asiatisch-pazifischen Markt und hat in der Region außer in Shanghai weitere Standorte.

Foto: © Fotolia, Victoria

dem technischen Wandel sowie der schnell voranschreitenden Vernetzung und Digitalisierung, sind diese Maßnahmen heute nicht nur wettbewerbsentscheidend, sondern überlebenswichtig.

Da sich jede durchgeführte Veränderung in den IT-Systemen unmittelbar auf die Geschäftsprozesse auswirkt, sind Datentransformationen hochkritische Vorhaben und bedürfen bereits in der Planungsphase technischer Hilfsmittel: Sie gewährleisten eine gründliche Analyse des Ist-Zustandes, was Fehler bei der anschließenden Projektdurchführung vermeidet. Um auch Fehler bei der Umsetzung auszuschließen, setzt SNP auf hochautomatisierte Prozesse. Das jüngste Softwareprodukt der SNP, ‚CrystalBridge‘, bündelt alle SNP Softwareprodukte in einer homogenen

Softwareplattform und schließt für Kunden die Lücke zwischen Analyse und Umsetzung.

CrystalBridge funktioniert wie eine Art Kommandobrücke, die es Unternehmen ermöglicht, noch vor der Umsetzung eines Transformationsprojekts, Änderungen in den IT-Systemen und deren Auswirkungen zu visualisieren und zu simulieren. Ein hoher Automatisierungsgrad schafft Transparenz und minimiert Risiko sowie Kosten dieser komplexen Projekte. So kann die Zukunft kommen. Über SNP Die SNP Gruppe mit Stammsitz in Heidelberg beschäftigt weltweit über 1,350 Mitarbeiter und erzielte im Geschäftsjahr 2017 einen Umsatz von 122,3 Millionen Euro. Kunden sind global agierende Konzerne aus allen Branchen.

SNP wurde 1994 gegründet, ist seit dem Jahr 2000 börsennotiert und seit August 2014 im Prime Standard der Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse (ISIN DE0007203705) gelistet. Seit 2017 firmiert das Unternehmen als Europäische Aktiengesellschaft (Societas Europaea/SE). www.snpgroup.com

Bereits zum 5. Mal veranstaltet SNP im November 2018 die Transformation World. Mehr auf www.transformation-world.com. Foto: © SNP SE

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 67

Foto: © Fotolia

Ein Himmel voller … Software?

Wäre der Himmel nicht ganz so himmlisch, dann würden nicht all diese Geigen an ihm hängen. Einige Religionen könnten Ihr Paradies bedenkenlos anderenorts platzieren. Wir genössen möglicherweise irdischen Frieden, statt von himmlischem zu träumen. Und wer weiß, vielleicht bliebe dem himmelblauen Gewölbe sogar das ganze Theater mit den Wolken und der angeblich so grenzenlosen Freiheit erspart.

TEXT & FOTOS: MRM DISTRIBUTION GMBH & CO. KG

Wolken, diese letztendlich schnöden Ansammlungen von Wasserdampf in der Atmosphäre, feiern nämlich seit Neuestem auch außerhalb des angelsächsischen Sprachraums als Cloud ihren gefühlt tausendundersten Frühling. Und weil Wolken ja bekanntlich so himmlisch wattig sind, passen sie eben erstklassig zu: Na? Genau: Software! Denn Software – das sagt ja schon der Name – ist soft, also auf gut Deutsch weich. Sehr weich!

Weiche ins Wattige. Software gehört in die Cloud, Donner, Blitz und Doria! Das finden Sie auch? Dann fliegen Sie uns quasi direkt in die Arme! Denn wir finden das ganz und gar nicht und würden Ihrem Unternehmen oder Ihrer Behörde am liebsten all Ihre irdisch installierbaren Lizenzen für gutes Geld abkaufen. Und dieses gute Geld könnten Sie sogleich frohgemut in himmlische Cloudservices investieren.

Das Weiche muss ins Wattige

Damit wäre gleichzeitig Ihnen, aber auch allen Organisationen mit BusinessSzenarios geholfen, die heute und auf

Es muss aktuell also ausnahmsweise nicht das Runde ins Eckige, sondern das 68 | Issue 62 | May 2018

absehbare Zeit mit lokal installierbarer Software oder hybriden Lösungen aus On-Premise-Software und Cloudlösungen besser bedient sind. Ob nun aufgrund von Datenschutzrichtlinien, zur Wahrung von Geschäftsgeheimnissen oder mangels adäquater Cloudangebote.

Gemeinsam abheben Miteinander ins Geschäft zu kommen, ist also ganz einfach: Sie bieten uns als einzigem Distributor für gebrauchte Originalsoftware im deutschsprachigen Raum Ihre nicht mehr benötigte Originalsoftware vornehmlich der Hersteller Microsoft und Adobe an. Wir unterbreiten Ihnen unverbindlich ein attraktives Ankaufangebot, Sie nehmen es an und wecken damit totes Kapital aus dem Dornröschenschlaf, um neues Investitionsvolumen für Ihre Transformation in die Cloud oder andere Modernisierungsvorhaben zu gewinnen.

Discover Germany | Special Theme | CEBIT 2018 – Innovation and Digitisation

Nutzungsrechte vollständig auf der Hardware des Verkäufers deinstalliert.

Das heißt, unser gesamtes Business dreht sich um genau ein Produkt: Originalsoftware, die bereits offiziell auf Rechnern der Ersterwerber lief, vollständig deinstalliert wurde und nun unter strenger Berücksichtigung aller Rechts- und Herstellervorgaben für den Weiterverkauf zur Verfügung steht.

Da Software durch den Einsatz nicht altert, sich verbraucht oder abnutzt, steht immer der volle Leistungsumfang des Originalprodukts zur Verfügung. Deshalb erzielt auch die abgebende Organisation einen angemessenen Erlös aus dem Verkauf ihrer Original-Lizenzen an MRM. Diese freiwerdenden Mittel wiederum fließen in die Wertschöpfungskette zurück und können in IT-Modernisierungsvorhaben reinvestiert werden.

Und schon ist die Win-Win-Situation für alle Akteure perfekt.

Die Ersten werden die Ersten sein

Oder um im Bild zu bleiben, wir retten Ihre Altinvestition in lokal zu installierende Softwarelizenzen vor der Hölle des toten Kapitals und verhelfen ihr zur einzig zeitgemäßen Form himmlischer Wiederauferstehung: als Clouddienst. Zu wolkig?

Dann machen wir jetzt eine ganz harte Landung in der IT-Welt MRM ist der erste deutsche Distributor für den Handel mit gebrauchter Originalsoftware. Wir beliefern registrierte Wiederverkäufer mit einer breiten Angebotspalette von Volumenlizenzen bis Box-Produkten – selbstverständlich rechts-, markt- und herstellerkonform. Diese Produkte kaufen wir von Unternehmen und Behörden unter der Voraussetzung an, dass diese die Lizenzen dokumentierbar als Erstkäufer erworben haben, und zwar zur Nutzung innerhalb des europäischen Wirtschaftsraums. Zweite Bedingung: Die vertragsgegenständliche Software wurde vor der Übertragung der

Sollten Sie jetzt bereits gedanklich am Luftschloss bauen, die ersten zu sein, die MRM ihre Originalsoftware verkaufen, müssen wir Sie glücklicherweise desillusionieren.

Denn die vielen Vorteile ohne jedes Risiko haben schon einige namhafte Unternehmen vor Ihnen realisiert. So zählen ein bekannter deutscher Fernsehsender, eine der renommiertesten deutschen Bausparkassen und einer der größten Bauträger Österreichs zu unseren Ankaufadressen.

Wenn wir hier keine Klarnamen nennen, MRM Leiter Marketing und Kommunikation Ronny Drexel.

ist das übrigens allein der Tatsache geschuldet, dass wir Datenschutz so ernst nehmen, dass wir selbst beim Ankauf nur die Daten erfassen, die auch von den Softwareherstellern im Rahmen potenzieller Lizenzaudits abgefragt würden.

Jetzt, nachdem die dunkle Wolke verzogen ist Perfekt war der Markt für gebrauchte Software übrigens nicht immer und ist es auch noch nicht sehr lange. Denn der Begriff ‚Gebrauchte Software’ war einige Jahre lang durchaus belastet, und zwar wegen eines vor Gerichten und in der Öffentlichkeit ausgetragenen, langwierigen Rechtsstreits zwischen Herstellern und Wiederverkäufern. Dieser ist dem Himmel sei Dank längst vom Europäischen Gerichtshof (EuGH) höchstinstanzlich entschieden: Der Handel mit gebrauchten Computerprogrammen – auch online übertragenen oder aus Volumenlizenzverträgen stammenden – wurde für grundsätzlich rechtmäßig erklärt.

Himmlische Aussichten also für uns alle.

Nicht nur, wenn Sie aus dem Fenster schauen! www.mrm-distribution.de/discover

MRM Distribution GmbH & Co. KG, Westendstraße 28 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Telefon: +49 (0)69 9451950-0, Fax: -99 Web: www.mrm-distribution.de E-Mail: info@mrm-distribution.de

MRM Vertriebsleitung Christian Bedel.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 69

Transform now.

Europe’s business festival for innovation and digitization

More business contacts. More excitement. More inspiration: While at CEBIT, discover what’s next. Creative solutions that advance digital transformation. Disruptive technologies that shape tomorrow’s business world. Meet and mingle with creative thinkers, movers and shakers from business and society. The conference starts on Monday, the exhibition on Tuesday.

11 – 15 June 2018

Book your ticket now! www.cebit.com

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Exlusive Business Profiles

EXCLUSIVE BUSINESS PROFILES

The DACH region’s innovators On the following pages, find out what the countries of the DACH region can offer on the business front this month.

PHOTOS: PIXABAY

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 71

Discover Germany | Exclusive Business Profiles | KIRCHHOFF Witte GmbH

MAXX Plus and MAXXPRO Nature.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: KIRCHHOFF WITTE GMBH

Maximum torque with innovative handle design ‘Made in Germany’ ‘Design follows function’ is the credo of WITTE, one of the leading German manufacturers of innovative hand tools in the premium segment, with perfect handle design for optimum force transmission. Founded in 1785, WITTE has over 230 years of experience, uses innovative materials and shows excellent craftsmanship throughout. Since the beginning, it has simply stood for extraordinary hand tools.

For the German manufacturer of premium hand tool series, the handle is the connecting element between the tool and the user.“The handle design and its ergonomic requirements, the used materials and particularly those used for the surfaces, play a major role in the relationship between tool and user,” sales and marketing manager Martina Hagebölling explains.

“Those factors are crucial for the tool’s efficiency and functionality.”

WITTE’s sophisticated and innovative surfaces are an absolutely unique selling point. For professional works in wet and oily environments, WITTE developed the MAXX Plus range. The unique screwdriver features a patented microfibre coating.

“This guarantees maximum grip and best slip-resistance for wet or oily hands, it sup72 | Issue 62 | May 2018

ports optimum force transmission even under difficult conditions and increases safety during its use,” says Frank Rohlfs, head of product development at WIITTE. The MAXXPRO Nature screwdriver series with its cork inlay is unique in the market and also an outstanding example for WITTE’s innovative spirit. “The MAXXPRO Nature series stands out with its non-slip grip and is especially favoured by nature and design fans,” claims Hagebölling. “Carpenters, who usually prefer screwdrivers with a wooden handle, like to choose this series due to the used cork, which regrows naturally, its perfect shape, ergonomic features for optimum force transmission and a safe work environment.” A traditional wooden handle cannot offer this. The cork’s natural, pleas-

ant haptic and its natural moisture absorption, are further benefits.

Aside from the surface finish, the entire MAXX range stands out on the market thanks to the range’s ergonomic features, which showcase WITTE’s supreme standard. The characteristic triangular shape of MAXX screwdriver grips provides not just an ergonomically ideal rotation angle of 120 degrees, these are also the only screwdrivers on the market where each handle size has been designed individually regarding the handle’s contour, centre of gravity and form to create the ideal ergonomic handle for perfect force transmission.

Aside from metal works, the traditional company has the perfect manufacturing expertise, which allows for processing extraordinary material for innovative added value. All users’ highest demands are met with top quality solutions: ‘Made in Germany’.

Find out more about WITTE on their website, Vimeo and YouTube.

Discover Germany | Exclusive Business Profiles | KIRCHHOFF Witte GmbH

Maximales Drehmoment mit innovativem Griffdesign ‚Made in Germany‘ Ganz nach dem Motto ‚Design follows function‘, stellt WITTE innovative PremiumSchraubwerkzeuge mit perfektem Griffdesign zur optimalen Kraftübertragung her. Das 1785 gegründete Unternehmen ist seit Jahrzehnten einer der führenden deutschen Hersteller von Handwerkzeug im Premiumsegment. Über 230 Jahre Erfahrung, innovative Materialien und eine exzellente Verarbeitung – der Name WITTE steht seit jeher für ganz besonderes Handwerkzeug.

Als Hersteller für hochwertige Schraubendreherserien ist der Griff bei WITTE das verbindende Element zwischen Werkzeug und Anwender. „Das Griff-Design, sowie dessen Anspruch an Ergonomie, die verwendeten Materialien und insbesondere auch die Oberflächenmaterialien spielen in der Beziehung Werkzeug-Mensch eine wichtige Rolle“, erklärt Sales und Marketing Managerin Martina Hagebölling. „Diese Faktoren sind somit auch ausschlaggebend für die Effizienz und Funktionalität des Werkzeugs.“ WITTEs herausragende Oberflächeninnovationen sind ein absolutes Alleinstellungsmerkmal. Für professionelles Arbeiten unter feuchten oder öligen Bedingungen hat WITTE die Schraubendreher-Linie MAXX Plus entwickelt. Dieses einzigartige Schraubwerkzeug ist mit einer patentierten Mikrofaserbeschichtung versehen. „Diese garantiert maximalen Halt und Rutschfestigkeit auch bei feuch-

ten und gar öligen Händen, unterstützt trotz der erschwerten Bedingungen die optimale Kraftübertragung und erhöht die Sicherheit in der Anwendung“, so Frank Rohlfs, Leiter Produktentwicklung bei WITTE. Die MAXXPRO Nature Schraubendreher-Linie mit dem im Markt einzigartigen Korkmaterial-Inlay, ist ebenfalls ein außergewöhnliches Beispiel für den Innovationsgeist bei WITTE. „Die besonders griffige MAXXPRO Nature Linie ist beliebt bei Natur - und Designliebhabern“, sagt Hagebölling. „Schreiner und Tischler beispielsweise, die sonst eher Schraubendreher mit Holzgriffen bevorzugen, wählen sehr gerne diese Schraubendreher-Line, wegen des verwendeten natürlich nachwachsenden Korkmaterials bei gleichzeitig perfekter Formgebung und Ergonomie für optimierte Kraftübertragung und sichereres Arbeiten.“ All das kann ein traditioneller Holzgriff nicht bieten. Die natürliche, angenehme Haptik des Korks, sowie

MAXX Plus im Einsatz: Rutschfest auch unter erschwerten Bedingungen.

Maximum grip even under difficult conditions.

die materialeigene Feuchtigkeitsaufnahme sind weitere Vorteile.

Neben der Oberflächenbeschaffenheit zeichnet insbesondere WITTEs Anspruch an Ergonomie das komplette MAXX Sortiment aus.

MAXX Schraubendreher bieten mit ihrer ausgeprägten Dreikantform nicht nur den für die Schraubanwendung ergonomisch perfekten Drehwinkel von 120 Grad, sondern sind auch die einzigen Schraubendreher am Markt, bei denen jede Griffgröße in Kontur, Schwerpunkt und Form individuell gestaltet wurde und so jeweils ein optimiertes ergonomisches Griffdesign zur perfekten Kraftübertragung bietet.

Produktionsseitig verfügt das traditionsreiche Unternehmen neben der Metallbearbeitung über genau die Fertigungskompetenzen, die ein Verarbeiten außergewöhnlicher Materialien für innovative Mehrwerte erlauben und die Anwender in der Nutzung überzeugen – mit höchsten Ansprüchen und natürlich bester Qualität – ‚Made in Germany‘.

Mehr über WITTE erfährt man auf der Website, sowie über Vimeo und YouTube. www.wittetools.com

MAXXPRO Nature in Aktion: Sehr beliebt bei Natur- und Designliebhabern.

Much favoured by nature and design fans.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 73

ERGONOMIE IN IHRER KRAFTVOLLSTEN FORM. Über 230 Jahre Erfahrung, hochwertige Materialien und eine exzellente Verarbeitung – der Name WITTE steht seit jeher für ganz besonderes Handwerkzeug. So auch die Schraubendreher-Serie MAXX Plus, die mit ihrer speziell entwickelten Dreikantform und innovativer Mikrofaserbeschichtung in Sachen Ergonomie und Kraftübertragung ihresgleichen sucht. Ein Premium-Handwerkzeug aus dem Hause WITTE. Made in Germany.

Vertrauen Sie auf Tradition. Profitieren Sie von Innovation. WITTE – seit 1785.

ERGONOMICS IS ABOUT CHANNELLING POWER. With over 230 years‘ experience, high-grade materials and outstanding craftsmanship – the WITTE brand name has always stood for very special handtools. And the MAXX Plus screwdriver series, with its specially developed triangular grip shape and innovative microfibre coating is no exception – in terms of ergonomic design and force transmission it is unrivalled. A premium handtool from WITTE. Made in Germany.

Have confidence in tradition. Benefit from innovation. WITTE – since 1785. www.wittetools.com

Discover Germany | Exclusive Business Profiles | Austrian Tech Pioneer

Top: IQSMS login screen.

Below: ASQS office Vienna.

Bottom: ASQS management team (left to right: Günther Syrowatka (CTO), Eva Lederhilger (COO), Günther Schindl (CEO and Partner), Wilhelm Kment (Partner), Dr. Michael Divischek (Senior Advisor)).

ASQS:

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: ASQS

ASQS:

A new era for safety- and qualitymanagement in the aviation, maritime and offshore industries

Eine neue Ära für Sicherheits- und Qualitätsmanagement in Luft- und Schifffahrt, und Offshore Industrie

Every organisation in the aviation, maritime and offshore sectors is legally obliged to implement a safety management system. The software IQSMS - developed by the Austrian company ASQS - supports companies in the implementation process and allows for individualisation due to its modular setup.

Jedes Unternehmen im Luft- und Schifffahrtsektor sowie der Offshore Industrie ist gesetzlich verpflichtet, ein Sicherheitsmanagementsystem zu implementieren. Die von der österreichischen Firma ASQS entwickelte Software IQSMS unterstützt Unternehmen in der Umsetzung und ist dank des modularen Aufbaus zudem höchst individualisierbar.

Safety- and quality-management departments work with enormous amounts of safety-relevant data, which must be evaluated.

Every occurrence has to be reported and analysed in order to create an effective risk-management system out of the huge amount of data received, which in turn ensures that potential risks are identified early, and accidents are avoided.

Sicherheits- und Qualitätsmanagementabteilungen arbeiten mit enormen sicherheitsrelevanten Datenmengen, die es auszuwerten gilt. Jeder Fehler, jeder Vorfall muss gemeldet und analysiert werden, um aus der komplexen Datenmenge ein effektives Riskiomanagementsystem zu erstellen, das wiederum dafür sorgt, Gefahrenpotentiale früh zu erkennen und Unfälle zu vermeiden.

In addition to complying with legal requirements, ASQS prioritises the usability of their software. “Our goal is to design simple and intuitive safety- and qualitymanagement,” explains managing director Günther Schindl. “IQSMS helps to automate complex processes and to adapt them to the individual requirements of our customers.”

ASQS’ customer base speaks for itself: from small and medium-sized companies to large corporations – they are all represented.

Neben der Einhaltung der gesetzlichen Anforderungen, ist ASQS die Benutzerfreundlichkeit ihrer Software besonders wichtig. „Unser Ziel ist es Prozesse im Safety und Quality Management einfach und intuitiv darzustellen“, erklärt Geschäftsführer Günther Schindl. „IQSMS unterstützt dabei, diese komplexen Prozesse weitgehend zu automatisieren und an die Bedürfnisse unserer Kunden angepasst, zu implementieren.“ Der Kundenstamm von ASQS spricht für sich: von kleinen über mittelständische Unternehmen bis hin zu Großkonzernen ist alles vertreten. www.asqs.net Issue 62 | May 2018 | 75

Discover Germany | Exclusive Business Profiles | Austrian Tech Pioneer

Using digital technologies for innovative product and component development TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: PRIME AEROSTRUCTURES GMBH

The Austrian experts at PRIME aerostructures GmbH do not just focus on the development of highly complex structural components and modules for different industrial sectors from aerospace and automotive to general mechanical engineering, material manufacturers or research. Equally as important, is their work as a consultancy for and distributor of software for virtual product development.

“One of our current highlights is working with augmented reality applications using the Microsoft Hololens in product development,” says Andreas Szadeczky, member of the PRIME aerostructures GmbH executive board. This means real-life components like a fuselage are virtually augmented through digital elements, like 3D geometries including the simulation result from the structure calculation. Parts like the wings can be digitally projected using the augmented reality lenses, which gives an understanding of the structure before even a prototype is built. “This widens the possibilities of cooperation and increases the quality of the final products, while enhancing efficiency,” continues Andreas.

76 | Issue 62 | May 2018

A second aspect in PRIME aerostructures’ work is the use of so called functional generative design methods for the development of components. Through topology optimisation, the existing assembly space is used in an optimum way with respect to expected loading. The resulting design will be transformed into a 3D geometry before

calculation and then optimised again before the actual component is 3D printed using additive manufacturing, which can also be simulated using metallic powders and laser-melting, showing any weaknesses in advance.

PRIME aerostructures is accredited partner of Dassault Systèmes providing 3DEXPERIENCE® software solutions, which are also used in their daily work. www.primeaero.at Left: Winglet simulation results visualisation with 3DEXPERIENCE® platform. Right: Augmented reality cockpit design review with MS Hololens.

Discover Germany | Exclusive Business Profiles | CFS Consulting GmbH

Oben: Einreihungsplan mit prozentualen Anteilen der FTE (full time equivalents) - große Abbildung Streubild - blau = Unternehmen, Punkte = MA, Marktdaten = graue Stufen

- kleine Abbildung Unten: Die Berater Stefan Grimm (links) und Michael Mall (rechts).

Foto: © CFS Consulting GmbH

Das ganze Unternehmen auf einen Blick

– so erkennen Sie Potenziale und steuern aktiv die Personalkosten Unternehmen müssen sich unentwegt eine Reihe von Fragen stellen: Welche Gehälter werden marktseitig bezahlt? Wo stehen wir? Wo wollen wir stehen?

Wie sind wir organisiert? Überorganisiert? Ausreichend qualifiziert? Werden Personalkosten zielgerichtet eingesetzt? Die Geschäftsführer der CFS Consulting GmbH Stefan Grimm und Michael Mall haben dazu Antworten.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE, STEFAN GRIMM

CFS Consulting, Experten für analytische Funktionsbewertung und Entlohnungssysteme, beraten Unternehmen, die ihr Entlohnungssystem auf Anforderungen fundiert, methodisch und marktgerecht positionieren wollen. „Wir analysieren vorhandene Potenziale, offerieren konkrete Handlungsfelder und schlagen Maßnahmen vor, die für eine Anpassung empfehlenswert sind“, so die Berater Grimm und Mall. Wir begleiten deren Umsetzung und machen Organisationen wirtschaftlich und am Arbeitsmarkt erfolgreich. Egal, ob bei einer Neuausrichtung oder einer Weiterentwicklung bestehender Systeme. „Unser Job-Grading System für alle Stellen eines Unternehmens basiert auf Methoden des betriebswissenschaftlichen Instituts der ETH Zürich“, erklärt Mall. „Es zeigt nach Anforderungswerten sortiert alle Stellen im Einreihungsplan auf einen Blick. Vergleiche über Abteilungen und Bereiche sind möglich. Strukturelle Besonderheiten, wie Überorganisation und Lücken sind erkennbar. Ebenso wird das Qualifizierungsniveau des Unternehmens im Detail aufgezeigt.“

Wirtschaftlich wichtig ist es, den Bezug zu den Personalkosten herzustellen, dazu führt CFS seit Jahren im deutschsprachigen Raum Gehaltsvergleiche durch. „Durch die Verbindung von Anforderungswerten einerseits und den regions-, branchen-, größen- und erfahrungsbedingten Gehältern andererseits, lassen sich konkrete Marktwerte festlegen“, so Grimm. „Das Unternehmen kann sehen, wie es im Vergleich dazu steht. Die Entscheider interessiert oft, ob Mitarbeiter über oder unter Markt entlohnt werden. Gleichzeitig können die Unternehmen entscheiden, wie sie sich über ihr Entlohnungsmodell am Personalmarkt positionieren wollen.“

als 180 Projekten (Stärkung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit, Neuausrichtung, Sanierung) haben wir gesehen, dass intensiv Personalentwicklung betrieben wurde.

Das war und ist auch gut so. Trotzdem fehlt in manchen Bereichen der qualitative Unterbau für die Bewältigung anstehender Herausforderungen (zum Beispiel Digitalisierung 4.0). Andere sind überorganisiert und an Prozessen oft hochqualifizierte Beteiligte stehen sich gegenseitig im Weg. Das Eine behindert eine Entwicklung, das Andere kostet richtig Geld.“ Dem Thema Entlohnung kommt gesellschaftlich eine immer größere Bedeutung zu, nicht im Sinne von ‚noch mehr‘, sondern ‚passend und fair‘. Dort setzt CFS Consulting an und trägt so zu einer fairen Unternehmenskultur bei. www.cfs-consulting.at

Die Meinung, dass Gehälter kaum veränderbar sind und Anpassungen nur nach oben gehen, begegnet den Experten bei CFS oft. „Wir zeigen aber auch, dass es anders geht“, fügt Mall hinzu. „Die Personalkosten sind stets ein großer Kostenblock im Unternehmen, der grundsätzlich wegen des o.g.

Vorurteils zu wenig betrachtet wird.“ Dabei gibt es auch für Grimm und Mall immer wieder Überraschungen: „In mehr Issue 62 | May 2018 | 77

Discover Germany | Exclusive Business Profiles | HILL International

Othmar Hill, CEO HILL International: Only people at the right place change organisations and society!

TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI I PHOTO: SCHIFFLEITNER

Yes you can

Yes you can

Dr. Othmar Hill’s new book Mein Kompass für stürmische Zeiten (My Guide for Challenging Times) offers open-minded and unconventional tips for times of change, based on long years of consulting expertise. Times of change unsettle people in an existential way, but the business psychologist offers assistance towards the resolution of pressing decisions, and also at a top decision-maker level too.

Offen und unkonventionell präsentiert der bekannte Personalberater Dr. Othmar Hill in seinem Buch Mein Kompass für stürmische Zeiten Ratschläge aus seiner langen Beraterpraxis. Die Zeit der Umbrüche verunsichert existentiell – der Wirtschaftspsychologe zeigt Auswege aus drückenden Schicksalsentscheidungen, auch auf TopEntscheider-Level.

According to Hill, globalisation is the number one topic for managers today, as it demands the highest market flexibility. Furthermore, each investment in new markets fully depends on the quality of the people behind it. To secure an investment perfectly, Hill therefore advises to make use of his company’s highly skilled team of consultants. First-class strategic management, the most capable employees and an inspiring working atmosphere are major components of sustainable business success, all of which are covered at HILL International.

Hill vertritt die Ansicht, dass die Globalisierung das Thema Nr. 1 für ManagerInnen darstellt; sie verlangt ein Höchstmaß an Marktflexibilität. Zudem hängt, für ihn kritisch, jedes Investment in neue Märkte immer stark von der Qualität der handelnden Personen ab. Um ein Investment perfekt abzusichern rät Hill daher, sich die Suche und Auswahl von Erstbesetzungen von seinem Beraterstab abnehmen zu lassen. Um nachhaltige Geschäftserfolge zu erreichen, braucht es strategisches Management vom Feinsten, die fähigsten MitarbeiterInnen und vor allem ein inspirierendes Betriebsklima, genau das vermittelt HILL International.

Founded in 1975 by Dr. Hill, the franchising network has grown rapidly since the 80s – especially within the CEE and SEE regions. With around 40 offices in 30 countries at present, the company’s focus lies with psychology-based processes leading to impartial and sustainable business decisions; from classic HR consulting through to strategy and change management. Above all, HILL believes in ‘Schicksalsmanagement’ (management of fate): By fully developing their potential at the right place, people change not only their immediate environment but potentially society itself.

Dr. Othmar Hill gründete HILL International 1975, ab den 80er Jahren wuchs das Franchisenetzwerk vor allem in CEE und SEE rasant an. Mit derzeit 40 Büros in 30 Ländern liegt der Fokus liegt auf wirtschaftspsychologisch fundierten Prozessen, die objektive und damit nachhaltige Entscheidungen möglich machen. Vor allem aber geht es um Schicksalsmanagement, aus der echten Überzeugung heraus, dass Menschen, die am richtigen Platz ihr volles Potenzial entwickeln, Organisationen und sogar die Gesellschaft verändern können.

78 | Issue 62 | May 2018

www.hill-international.com

Für Manager/innen oder Consultants in Deutschland mit Unternehmergeist eröffnet sich ab sofort die einmalige Chance, Teil des großen HILL Netzwerkes zu werden:

EXECUTIVE SEARCH PARTNER/IN Franchise-Basis, Vertriebsschwerpunkt, ausgezeichnete Verdienstchance Um in unserer Gruppe selbständig und unabhängig Ihre Karriere aufzubauen, braucht es nicht mehr und nicht weniger als nachweisliche Consultingstärke mit dem Standing auf internationalem Konzernniveau sowie dem deutschen Unternehmermittelstand. Sie steigen ein ins „Schicksals-Business“ und nutzen unsere hervorragende KompetenzPosterHILL_NavigateyourDestiny_RZ Kopie.pdf

1

16.03.16

analyse in 30 Sprachen und sind sofort mitten in einem Beraterverbund von 40 Partnern in 30 Ländern.

langfristigen persönlichen Erfolgspfad.

Selbstverständlich stehen alle unsere Prozesse im Einklang mit der Datenschutzgrundverordnung.

Als Pioniere für CEE und SEE schützen wir das Investment unserer Kunden durch das Recruiting von High Performern in Ost und West. Diese herausragende Stellung ist der Garant für Ihren

19:29

NAVIGATE YOUR DESTINY

Bewerben Sie sich umgehend und kontaktieren Sie Frau Mag. Andrea Giebhart andrea.giebhart@hill.international

Potential

Eva

luation

Develop

ORGANIZATION

Engagement Survey

men

t

Strategy Planning

3valuation

Change Management

360° Effectiveness

Creativity & Innovation

OTHERS

C

M

Y

Management Know-How

CM

Effective Delegation

MY

Team Performance

CY

Conflict Management

CMY

Sales Force Check

K

Team Development

Assessment Center

PEOPLE AT RIGHT PLACE CHANGE ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETY.

Communication & Feedback

SELF Leadership Ability Time Efficiency

Managing Self Make better decisions Evocative Leader

Potential Evaluation Onboarding SEARCH & SELECTION

THE DIALOGUE PARTNER

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

H2H

OUTPLACEMENT

#Pe o pl e A t R i gh t Pl ac e

www.hill-turkiye.com

www.hill-international.com

S P E C I A L T H E M E : G E R M A N Y ’ S B U S I N E S S C O A C H E S A N D C O N S U LT I N G E X P E R T S

Taking skills to the next level Looking to take your business or your personal skills to the next level? Choosing a business coach or consulting expert might just do the trick. And according to a study by the Federal association of German management consulting (Bundesverband Deutscher Unternehmensberater), the German business coach and consultant industry is booming.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: PIXABAY

80 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Germany’s Business Coaches and Consulting Experts

After all, in 2017, around 118,000 business consultants worked in Germany and that is an increase of 2.3 per cent, compared to the previous year. This clearly shows a booming industry, but why exactly is that?

Companies, organisations and administrations are subject to a profound, digital transformation. Thereby, they increasingly look for support through management consultants in order to continue to be successful with the needed strategy, process and IT adaptations. Not least because of this factor, the consulting industry’s turnover has increased by 8.5 per cent to 31.5 billion euros in 2017 and at the same time, the job market is booming.

agement consultants react to this development with the targeted acquisition of tech companies, as well as digital and advertising agencies or the intensive cooperation with suitable partners.”

To find your right fit, we have collected some of Germany’s best business coaches and consulting experts in the following special theme and take a closer look at their respective fields of expertise.

For 2018, consultants remain optimistic.

They expect an increase in turnover of 8.4 per cent to 34.1 billion euros, according to a market study by the Bundesverband Deutscher Unternehmensberater (BDU).

Another forecast predicted by the study is the targeted expansion of companies’ digital consulting portfolio, as well as their own business models. BDU president Ralf Strehlau says: “The consumers’ information and purchase decision-making process severely changes through digitalisation. Through this, classic consulting and IT topics, as well as communicative tasks, have to interact more closely. ManIssue 62 | May 2018 | 81

ORGANIC Agility – a concept and an acronym.

ORGANIC Agility

Business and culture: an organisational DNA.

Growing for the future Businesses today need to adapt to a fast-paced, ever-changing world driven by technology and customer demands. According to Andrea Tomasini, strategic agile coach and CEO of agile42, resilience is the property of embracing change, growing with it, and coming out stronger – not just surviving, but thriving. ORGANIC Agility is the response to not just understanding, but also directing change.

The concept of ORGANIC Agility grew out of deep roots in the agile values and principles, and it became a way to leverage these in a conscious and strategic way in the context of an organisation. ORGANIC is both a metaphor and an acronym, standing for Organisational Resilience achieved by Growing Autonomy and Nurturing Interdependent Culture. Autonomy means empowering and growing people, so that they have all the tools to make decisions quickly. An interdependent culture encourages relationships and collaboration across groups within an organisation, creating a more unified whole.

Fostering autonomy, building bridges, and creating a shared vision is a process requiring a new type of leader, a catalyst and a strategic enabler who can plan for 82 | Issue 62 | May 2018

the future of their organisation while simultaneously modelling it.

Over the last 11 years working on international projects and in various organisations, agile42 has identified five principles that enable organisations to move towards agility and resilience. It is important to know that at their core is culture, a company-wide set of behaviours, assumptions, and rituals. In collaboration with Dave Snowden, thought leader in complexity theory and creator of the Cynefin framework, they developed the agile42 OrgScan, which collects hard facts and data about the actual situation, culture, and processes in the organisations choosing to use it.

The principles also emphasise context and the importance of understanding it before

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: AGILE42

taking action, so that behaviours can be adjusted according to needs. The process that the five principles outline, focuses on creating value for and with the customer, through incremental change and development and introducing change in small testable ways, allowing them to grow if they are successful. Organisations can introduce variation and diversity of options and patterns and then submit them to a process of natural selection, so to speak.

If those principles are taken seriously, an organisation can move beyond the idea of scaling a few techniques, towards growing in the direction it needs to go from a secure and evolving basis of embracing essential principles.

agile42 around the world.

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Germany’s Business Coaches and Consulting Experts

ORGANIC Agility

Für die Zukunft wachsen In unserer schnelllebigen Welt, die sich aufgrund von Technologie und Kundenanforderungen ständig neu erfindet, müssen Unternehmen anpassungsfähig sein. Laut Andrea Tomasini, Strategic Agile Coach und agile42-CEO, ist Widerstandsfähigkeit das A und O für Veränderungsbereitschaft, damit eine Firma nicht bloß überlebt, sondern auch floriert. ORGANIC Agility ist die Antwort, um Veränderungen nicht nur zu verstehen, sondern zu steuern.

Das Konzept ORGANIC Agility entstand aus einer tiefen Verwurzelung zu agilen Werten und Prinzipien, und wurde zu einem Weg diese auf bewusste und strategische Weise in Bezug auf Organisationen umzusetzen.

ORGANIC ist Metapher und Akronym zugleich. Es steht für organisatorische Widerstandsfähigkeit durch eine gesteigerte Autonomie und Pflege einer ineinandergreifenden Kultur. Autonomie bedeutet Leute zu stärken, so dass sie alle Fähigkeiten besitzen, um schnell Entscheidungen zu treffen. Eine ineinandergreifende Kultur regt Beziehungen und Kollaborationen zwischen Gruppen innerhalb der Organisation an und schafft ein vereintes Ganzes.

weisen den entsprechenden Anforderungen angepasst werden können. Der Prozess, den die fünf Prinzipien beschreiben, konzentriert sich darauf Werte für und mit dem Kunden zu

schaffen. Dies geschieht durch allmählichen Wandel und Entwicklung, sowie dadurch Veränderungen in kleinen Schritten zu testen und erfolgreich wachsen zu lassen. Wenn diese Prinzipien ernst genommen werden, kann eine Organisation mit Hilfe von agilen Methoden kontinuierlich wachsen, die richtige Kultur etablieren und somit für die Herausforderungen des Marktes bereit sein. www.agile42.com

Autonomie fördern, Brücken bauen und eine gemeinsame Vision gestalten - für diesen Prozess braucht man eine Führungskraft, einen Impulsgeber und strategischen Wegbereiter, der für die Zukunft seiner Firma planen und diese gleichzeitig gestalten kann.

Durch die internationalen Projekte und die Arbeit mit verschiedenen Organisationen über die letzten 11 Jahre, konnte agile42 fünf Prinzipien entwickeln, welche Organisationen hilft mehr Widerstandsfähigkeit und Agilität zu schaffen.

Wichtig sind dabei die Kernfaktoren Kultur, unternehmensweite Verhaltensweisen, Annahmen und Rituale. In Zusammenarbeit mit Dave Snowden, Vordenker der Komplexitätstheorie und Gründer von Cynefin Framework, wurde das Programm agile42 OrgScan entwickelt, welches harte Fakten und Daten über die tatsächliche Situation, Kultur und Prozesse der Organisation des jeweiligen Klienten sammelt.

Die Prinzipien unterstreichen außerdem den Kontext und die Wichtigkeit des Verstehens bevor gehandelt wird, so dass Verhaltens-

OrgScan enthüllt Unternehmenskulturen durch harte Fakten.

Wachstum einer Führungskraft.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 83

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Germany’s Business Coaches and Consulting Experts

CEO Gabriele Müller.

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: ISCO AG

Practical coaching and Praktische Coaching-Arbeit vocational training through und Ausbildung durch Berliner Berlin-based experts Experten The ISCO AG as a coaching company and consultancy offers a wide range of services. Next to systemic coaching, health management and mediation, this includes the vocational training and education of coaches. CEO Gabriele Müller and her team have 25 years of experience and have accompanied many complex processes.

Die ISCO AG hat als Coaching- und Beratungsunternehmen ein breites Angebotsspektrum. Dazu gehört neben systemischem Coaching, dem Gesundheitsmanagement und der Mediation, auch die Ausbildung von Coaches. Vorstand Gabriele Müller und ihr Team verfügen über 25 Jahre Erfahrung und haben bereits viele komplexe Prozesse begleitet.

In business, ISCO AG not only acts in the fields of career planning or stress management, but also as navigator for leadership issues and conflict management. The consultants working around Gabriele Müller apply a wide range of different methods and have a differentiated understanding of change processes.

As mediator, Gabriele Müller asks uncomfortable, but necessary questions. She tries to understand and clarify the various viewpoints and consequences to find the optimal solution for existing conflicts.

In der Wirtschaft agiert die ISCO AG nicht nur bei Karriereplanung und Stressmanagement, sondern auch als Navigator für Führungsthemen und Konfliktmanagement. Die Berater rund um Gabriele Müller verfügen über ein großes Methodenrepertoire und haben ein differenziertes Verständnis von Veränderungsprozessen. Als Mediatorin stellt Gabriele Müller unbequeme, aber notwendige Fragen. Sie versucht Positionen zu verstehen und Konsequenzen abzuklären, um eine optimale Lösung für bestehende Konflikte zu finden.

Additionally, Gabriele Müller is an expert in the area of health coaching, which is becoming more and more important in an international and digital business world. Today, the demands employees are facing are greater than ever before. The mental defence mechanisms are damaged through, among other ways, the constant need for one’s availability, a lack of meaningfulness and excessive demands.

Another of ISCO AG’s main focus points is the one-year praxis oriented coaching training. Even during the course and between modules, the participants work with ‘real’ coaching clients. The principle is easy but effective. Transferring from the training course into the professional praxis works best when coaches train in practice from the very beginning. Participants’ feedback confirms this.

84 | Issue 62 | May 2018

Gabriele Müller ist zudem Expertin im Bereich Gesundheitscoaching, welches in einer internationalen und digitalen Arbeitswelt immer wichtiger wird. Heute wird Mitarbeitern mehr denn je abverlangt. Es werden, unter anderem durch ständige, erforderliche Erreichbarkeit, fehlende Sinnhaftigkeit und Überforderungen, die psychischen Abwehrmechanismen geschädigt.

Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt der ISCO AG ist die einjährige praxisnahe Coaching-Ausbildung. Schon während der Ausbildung und zwischen den Modulen stellt die ISCO AG den Teilnehmern ‚echte‘ Coaching-Kunden zur Verfügung. Das Prinzip ist einfach, aber effektiv. Der Transfer von der Ausbildung in die Berufspraxis funktioniert dann am besten, wenn angehende Coaches von Anfang an in der Praxis üben. Das Feedback der Teilnehmer bestätigt dies. www.isco-ag.de

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Germany’s Business Coaches and Consulting Experts

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: MAY & COMPANY GMBH

Digital transformation starts at the top

Digitale Transformation beginnt an der Unternehmensspitze

Digital transformation is everywhere, but what does it mean when you are the leader of a company that has not yet transformed? The consultants at May & Company GmbH help prepare leaders to embrace the challenges of digital transformation.

Digitale Transformation findet überall um uns herum statt, aber was bedeutet das, wenn man als Führungskraft an der Spitze eines Unternehmens steht, bei dem die Transformation des Unternehmens noch aussteht? Die Consultants von May & Company GmbH bereiten Führungskräfte darauf vor, die Herausforderungen der digitalen Transformation ideal zu meistern.

The scope of leadership is changing. Today’s organisations need a new kind of leader: one who can harness the power of technology to build and empower teams, create innovative and connected ecosystems, face new and different challenges as they come, and drive businesses towards constant improvement. Are you prepared to take on these challenges?

Die Anforderungen an Mitarbeiterführung und an das Management befinden sich im Umbruch und heutige Organisationen benötigen eine neue Art der Führung: Führungskräfte, die die Kraft der Technologie zu erschließen wissen, um Teams aufzubauen und zu stärken, um innovative und zusammenhängende Ökosysteme zu schaffen, um neuen und vielfältigen Herausforderungen dynamisch zu begegnen, sowie ihre Unternehmen konstant zu verbessern. Sind Sie bereit, diese Herausforderungen anzunehmen?

May & Company’s team of 170 global consultants can help equip leaders with the skills, perspective, and knowledge they need to help leading a team through organisational change and digital transformation. Their programmes help clients to: - Drive change by developing new mindsets and behaviours in leaders and within teams - Understand and implement an innovator’s mindset to drive creativity and innovative thinking - Deconstruct corporate boundaries to facilitate agility, collaboration and problem solving - Develop a culture that values both stability and exploration May & Company GmbH helps clients to learn how their team can work smarter, better, faster and stronger.

Das Team von May & Company mit 170 global agierenden Consultants kann Führungskräften mit all jenen Fähigkeiten und Perspektiven, als auch dem nötigen Wissen ausstatten, um ihre Teams durch die notwendigen organisatorischen Veränderungen der digitalen Transformation zu führen. Die Programme helfen: - durch eine neue Denkweise und das eigene Verhalten, sowie das des Teams, Veränderungen voranzutreiben - die Mentalität eines Innovators zu verstehen und zu implementieren, um kreatives und innovatives Denken zu ermöglichen - Unternehmensgrenzen zu dekonstruieren, um Agilität, Zusammenarbeit und das Lösen von komplexen Problemen zu erleichtern - eine Unternehmenskultur zu entwickeln, die beides, Stabilität und Innovation, wertschätzt May & Company GmbH hilft Klienten dabei zu lernen, wie Teams intelligenter und produktiver arbeiten können. www.maycoach.com Issue 62 | May 2018 | 85

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Germany’s Business Coaches & Consulting Experts

Savo Klingen, managing partner and founder of permitto Consulting.

TEXT: SILKE HENKELE I PHOTOS: PERMITTO CONSULTING GMBH

Revolutionising the manners of consulting In a rapidly changing environment, enterprises and their employees face an everincreasing number of challenges. permitto Consulting finds ways to uncover unused potential, establish a positive corporate and management culture, develop sustainably and break new grounds.

Savo Klingen, managing partner and founder of permitto Consulting established his company in 2007. “Our consulting approach is primarily aimed at the measurable and future-oriented development of dialogue and feedback systems that are key for the development of commitment and efficiency,” explains Klingen.“Our clients remain versatile and flexible – and are thus perfectly equipped for future challenges. One of the most substantial prerequisites for being futuresustainable is the integration of varied perspectives; the ‘know why’ as well as the ‘know how’ are already existent within an organisation – you only need to uncover this knowledge.”

Within a very short period of time, permitto Consulting has become the mar86 | Issue 62 | May 2018

ket leader for web-based systemic organisation- and team analysis and change processes based on this analysis. Moreover, in 2018 and for the second time running, permitto Consulting has been awarded the brand eins prize for ‘Best Consultants’.

“Our approach is unique. It stands out by our ability to efficiently link and implement highly effective advisory processes and innovative tailor-made software solutions – a combination that facilitates a quick and positive change outcome,” illustrates Klingen.

Each organisation and each team is unique. Each individual has its very own vision of the future. permitto Consulting therefore initially avoids limiting specifications, does not form hypotheses but

provides a forum for the experts – managers and employees - to have their say in web-based personal interviews.

“Our very own congrid® analysis software enables us to collect, structure and, by means of a specific evaluation logarithm, compare data thus obtained. Our customers obtain quite unique insights into the dynamics of their organisations,” states Klingen.“The results of our surveys are 100 per cent included in our recommendations,” continues Klingen, whose consulting company has since recently provided a new and innovative team analysis software which serves as a base for the certification of organisations and consultants.

“We are really proud of what we have achieved so far. Our approach reduces change and team development costs up to 70 per cent while at the same time increasing the success of change initiatives,” concludes Klingen.

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Germany’s Business Coaches and Consulting Experts

Beratung neu denken und verändern In einem sich immer schneller verändernden Umfeld sind Unternehmen und deren Mitarbeiter immer größeren Herausforderungen ausgesetzt. permitto Consulting zeigt Unternehmen auf, wie diese auf der Basis einer guten Unternehmens- und Führungskultur ungenutzte Potentiale heben, sich nachhaltig entwickeln und neue Wege beschreiten können.

Savo Klingen, der geschäftsführende Gesellschafter von permitto Consulting, gründete das Beratungsunternehmen im Jahre 2007. „Unser Beratungsansatz zielt vor allem auf die messbare und zukunftsweisende Entwicklung von Dialog- und Feedbacksystemen ab, auf deren Basis sich die Leistungsbereitschaft sowie Leistungsfähigkeit entfalten können - im Sinne der Organisation und der Menschen“, erklärt Klingen und ergänzt: „Die von uns beratenen Unternehmen bleiben wandlungsfähig sowie flexibel, und sichern so ihre Zukunftsfähigkeit.

Die Nutzung des kollektiven Wissens wie auch die Integration der unterschiedlichen Perspektiven sind hierfür wesentliche Voraussetzungen. Das ‚Know Why‘ und das ‚Know How‘ stecken bereits in der Organisation. Man muss beides nur intelligent bergen und für die Organisationsentwicklung nutzbar machen.“ Innerhalb kurzer Zeit hat sich permitto Consulting als Marktführer für webbasierte systemische Organisations- und Teamanalysen sowie darauf aufbauende Veränderungsprozesse für Menschen, Teams und Organisationen etab-

liert. Zum zweiten Mal in Folge wurde das Unternehmen in 2018 mit dem brand eins Preis ‚Beste Berater‘ ausgezeichnet. „Unser Ansatz ist einzigartig. Unser Alleinstellungsmerkmal ist unsere Fähigkeit, hoch wirksame Beratungsprozesse und innovative, maßgeschneiderte Softwarelösungen effizient miteinander zu verknüpfen und umzusetzen.

Hierdurch erreichen wir schnelle Erfolge in Veränderungsprozessen“, verdeutlicht Klingen den Beratungsprozess.

Jede Organisation und jedes Team ist einzigartig und jeder hat sein eigenes Bild von der Zukunft.

Deswegen verzichtet die permitto Consulting in der Analysephase auf einschränkende Vorgaben, bildet keine Hypothesen und läßt die Experten – die Führungskräfte und Mitarbeiter – im Rahmen webbasierter persönlicher Interviews einfach selbst zu Wort kommen.

mens- und Führungskultur einfangen, bündeln, strukturieren und über Auswertungsalgorithmen automatisiert vergleichen. Unsere Kunden erhalten einzigartige Einblicke in ihre Organisationsdynamik“, stellt Klingen fest. „Die Ergebnisse dieser Bestandsaufnahme gehen zu 100 Prozent in unsere Prozessempfehlungen ein“, erklärt Klingen, dessen Unternehmen seit neuestem eine neue und innovative Teamanalysesoftware zur Verfügung stellt, auf deren Basis sich Unternehmen und Berater zertifizieren lassen können. „Wir sind wirklich stolz auf das, was wir bisher geleistet haben. Mit unserem Ansatz können Unternehmen ihre Change- wie auch ihre Teamentwicklungskosten um bis zu 70 Prozent reduzieren, bei gleichzeitiger Steigerung des Veränderungserfolges“, schließt Klingen ab. www.permitto-consulting.de

„Mit unserer congrid® Analysesoftware können wir die so generierten verschiedenen Meinungen zum Beispiel über die Unterneh-

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 87

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Germany’s Business Coaches and Consulting Experts

CEO Amaniyel Arslan.

ARTECH Consulting GmbH’s headquarters.

Photo: © Dreamstime

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: ARTECH CONSULTING GMBH

Training, engineering and consulting with an international touch

Training, Engineering und Consulting mit internationalem Touch

ARTECH Consulting GmbH and its international team supports clients during the development of PML und CAD solutions. Years of experience are the foundation of their in-depth expertise and result in a practical, goal-oriented approach.

Die ARTECH Consulting GmbH setzt auf ein internationales Team mit fundiertem Fachwissen aus jahrelanger Erfahrung, um ihren Kunden bei der Entwicklung von PLM- und CADLösungen zielsicher und tatkräftig zur Seite zu stehen.

“Our core competence lies in the development of custom-made trainings for professionals and executives, in engineering services, consulting (project management, process consulting, change management) and e-learning for PLM and CAD solutions,”CEO Amaniyel Arslan explains. “We offer single-source PLM and CAD solutions from A to Z.”

„Unsere Kernkompetenzen liegen in der Entwicklung von maßgeschneiderten Trainings für Fach- und Führungskräfte, im Engineering, Consulting (Projektmanagement, Prozessberatung, Change-Management) und E-Learning für PLM- sowie CAD-Lösungen“, erklärt Geschäftsführer Amaniyel Arslan. „PLM- und CAD-Implementierungsprojekte bedienen wir von A bis Z aus einer Hand.“

ARTECH Consulting is particularly relevant for the industrial sectors automotive, vocational training, energy, robotics, aeronautical and mechanical engineering. “Many of our employees are working long-term with corporations such as Ford, VW, Siemens, RWE Energie and Kuka. Our clients appreciate our solution-oriented consulting services and we maintain a close and trusting relationship with them,”Arslan adds.

ARTECH Consulting ist besonders relevant für die Industriesektoren Automotive, berufliche Bildung, Energie, Robotik, Luftfahrttechnik und Maschinenbau. „Viele unserer Mitarbeiter sind bereits über einen langen Zeitraum bei Konzernen wie Ford, VW, Siemens, RWE Energie sowie Kuka im Einsatz, da diese unsere lösungsorientierten Beratungsleistungen zu schätzen wissen und inzwischen ein sehr enges und vertrauensvolles Verhältnis zu uns aufgebaut haben“, fügt Arslan hinzu.

ARTECH Consulting stands out with its internationality. A major asset is that the 25 employees come from over ten different nations and hence bring in the necessary multilingualism and intercultural competence to a heterogeneous and international customer environment – a decisive competitive factor. Intercultural competence is genuinely lived here and the high flexibility of the employees, regarding location and time, is greatly appreciated by their clients.

Charakteristisch für ARTECH Consulting ist die Internationalität. Da die rund 25 Mitarbeiter aus über zehn verschiedenen Nationen stammen, bringen sie die notwendige Mehrsprachigkeit sowie interkulturelle Kompetenz in einem heterogenen und internationalen Kundenumfeld als entscheidenden Wettbewerbsvorteil mit. Interkulturelle Kompetenz wird hier tatsächlich gelebt und die hohe Flexibilität der motivierten Mitarbeiter, zeitlich wie örtlich, wird von den Kunden besonders geschätzt. www.artech-consulting.de

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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Germany’s Business Coaches and Consulting Experts

TEXT: SILKE HENKELE I PHOTOS: JOSÉ LUIS MARTINEZ

Know your potential and become who you are

Erkenne Dein Potential und werde, wer Du bist

Top-level managers are often confronted with a variety of challenges. Coaching expert Dr. Wolfgang Walter assists with facing them.

Manager der höchsten Führungsebenen sehen sich bei beruflichen Veränderungen einer Vielzahl an Herausforderungen gegenüber. Der Coachingexperte Dr. Wolfgang Walter hilft, sich diesen zu stellen.

“Business leaders, amongst others, stand out by a high degree of motivation to manage, to lead and to shape. In coaching situations it is these traits I pay particular attention to,” explains Wolfgang Walter, who has been active in the coaching business for more than 25 years, on his approach.

„Führungspersönlichkeiten der obersten Führungsebenen zeichnen sich unter anderem durch ein hohes Maß an Führungs-, Wettbewerbs- und Gestaltungsmotivation aus. Es sind diese Merkmale, auf die ich bei meiner Beratungstätigkeit besonderen Augenmerk lege“, erklärt Wolfgang Walter, der seit 25 Jahren als Berater vornehmlich von Managern der höheren Führungsebenen tätig ist, seinen Beratungsansatz.

Walter prepares his customers with a high degree of professionalism, sensitivity and empathy for the constantly changing demands posed upon top level managers.“It is my firm belief that people are happy and therefore efficient if they are fully aware of their own specific values and resources. I help managers to reach this level of awareness and to explicitly perceive their individual values and resources. In coaching these managers, I therefore focus on their strengths and on the development of their personal traits and abilities - an approach which, ultimately, will allow them to fully unfold their own potential,” Walter elaborates.

Executive coaching by Wolfgang Walter - an important step towards the fulfillment of one’s own potential.

Walter bereitet seine Kunden mit einen hohen Grad an Professionalität und Einfühlungsvermögen auf die sich kontinuierlich ändernden Anforderungen vor, die an Manager der höheren Führungsebene gestellt werden. „Meiner Meinung nach sind Menschen dann glücklich und damit leistungsfähig, wenn sie im Mittelpunkt ihrer eigenen Werte und Ressourcen stehen.

Ich unterstütze die Manager dabei, diesen Mittelpunkt zu finden. Ich helfe ihnen, ihre spezifischen Werte und Ressourcen explizit wahrzunehmen. In meiner Arbeit als Coach fokussiere ich damit auf die Stärken der Coachees und auf die Weiterentwicklung ihrer persönlicher Merkmale und Fähigkeiten, um in Folge das volle Potential des Einzelnen zur vollen Entfaltung zu bringen“, führt Walter weiter aus.

Executive Coaching by Wolfgang Walter - ein wertvoller Schritt auf dem Weg zur Erfüllung des eigenen Potentials. www.wolfgang-walter.com Issue 62 | May 2018 | 89

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Germany’s Business Coaches and Consulting Experts

„Die Säge wieder schärfen“ Mit NextHealth

Von oben links: Das Coaching-Team vor dem Landhaus Himmelpfort.

Der Business-Retreat bei der inhaltlichen Arbeit.

Dipl. Pia Drauschke und Dr. med. Stefan Drauschke, Unternehmer, Trainer, Coaches und Gründer der NextHealth GmbH. Die Business-Retreater beim morgendlichen Quigong.

Der NextHealth-Ball zum Entspannen und Bewegen.

Abendliches Dinner beim Business-Retreat.

Als Experte in Sachen Strategie, Change und Führung, begleitet das Berliner Beratungsunternehmen NextHealth Mandanten und deren Firmen kompetent durch Veränderungsprozesse. Für Vielleister und Verantwortungsträger ist der intensive Business-Retreat genau das Richtige, um sich mit Muße und Ruhe eigenen wichtigen Themen zu widmen und individuelle Lösungen zu entwickeln.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I FOTOS: NEXTHEALTH

Pia Drauschke und Dr. Stefan Drauschke, Gründer der NextHealth, erinnern sich wie alles begann: „Nach mehr als 20 Jahren Berufserfahrung als Führungskräfte und Unternehmer, sowie verschiedenen Trainer- und Coachingausbildungen, haben wir uns dazu entschieden, dies alles ‚Veränderungswilligen‘ zu Gute kommen zu lassen. Das war die Geburtsstunde der NextHealth!“ Seit 2012 setzt NextHealth Veränderungen in Gang und führt Mandanten sicher und vor allem systematisch ans Ziel. „Dies gilt für die Entwicklung von Strategien ebenso wie für Team- und Großgruppenmoderation im Changeprozess als auch für einen ‚Cultural Change‘ inklusive Workshops, Coachings und Führungstrainings“, erläutern Drauschkes. „Interaktion und Partizipation sind dabei wesentliche Elemente unse90 | Issue 62 | May 2018

rer Vorgehensweise.“ Für ihre FührungsTrainingsKonferenzen®, die eine innovative Kombination von Führungstraining mit Großgruppenarbeit sind, wurde NextHealth 2014 mit dem Internationalen Deutschen Trainingspreis des BDVT e.V. in Silber und mit einem Sonderpreis geehrt.

NextHealth ist außerdem Goldpreisträger 2016/2017 des Europäischen Preises für Training, Beratung und Coaching für ein ‚Systemisches Strategie- und Changeprojekt‘ und hat zudem das Fachbuch Changemanagement und Führung (MedHoch2 Verlag) herausgebracht.

Ein besonderes Coachingformat ist der Business-Retreat, der zweimal im Jahr über vier Tage im wunderschönen Landhaus Himmelpfort, 80 Kilometer nördlich von Berlin, stattfindet. Um ungestört zu sein befinden sich nur 10 Teilnehmer, drei

Coaches und ein fantastisches Küchenteam vor Ort. Um teilzunehmen braucht man kein Problem zu haben, so Drauschkes, denn es genügen offene Fragestellungen, anstehende Entscheidungen oder Themen, für die es sich lohnt mit etwas Abstand und Zeit in die Tiefe zu gehen. „Der Anlass für unsere Teilnehmer ist meist die Erkenntnis, dass man sich mehr und mehr in den Anforderungen von Beruf und Alltag verstrickt oder ganz einfach einmal Zeit für sich selbst haben möchte.

Oft sind auch wichtige Veränderungen im Umfeld wie freiwilliger oder unfreiwilliger Jobwechsel, Beziehungsthemen etc. Grund für eine Auszeit“, erzählen Drauschkes und lächeln: „Der Business-Retreat ist unser Lieblingsformat – und wenn man die Feedbacks und Nachrichten der Teilnehmer zum Teil noch nach Jahren liest, die den entscheidenden Impuls für wichtige Veränderungen erhalten und umgesetzt haben, dann wissen wir, dass wir den richtigen Beruf gewählt haben!“ www.nexthealth.de

Discover Germany | Special Theme | Germany’s Business Coaches and Consulting Experts

Dr. Jörg Rupp, Gründer und Leitung.

Mittelstandsförderung im Technologie-Bereich.

Erfolgsbasierte Beratung und vollumfänglicher Service.

Der Innovation den Weg ebnen Forschung und Entwicklung trifft auf finanzielle Förderung: DORUCON – DR. RUPP CONSULTING GmbH bietet Unterstützung bei der Generierung nicht rückzahlbarer Zuschüsse durch die öffentliche Hand, speziell für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen im Technologie-Bereich.

TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI I FOTOS: DORUCON – DR. RUPP CONSULTING GMBH

Das Beratungs-Unternehmen wurde 2011 in Saarbrücken von dem Ingenieur Dr. Jörg Rupp gegründet, mit dem Ziel, mittelständischen Unternehmen bei Zuschüssen für die Entwicklung neuer technischer Produkte und Verfahren den Zugang zu erleichtern.

Dr. Rupp weiß um die Herausforderungen der Branche, aber auch um die vielfältigen Förderungswege, die mittelständischen Unternehmen heute zur Verfügung stehen: „Die Erkenntnis, dass viele Firmen die Möglichkeiten der Unterstützung von Seiten Land, Bund und EU brach liegen lassen, hat mich dazu bewogen, diesen Unternehmen zu helfen“, erklärt der Gründer und Geschäftsführer von DORUCON. Dabei bezieht er sich auf Förderprogramme für technische Innovationsvorhaben wie zum Beispiel das ‚ZIM Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand‘ oder auch das ‚Horizont 2020 KMU Instrument‘, im Rahmen

des größten EU-Programms für Forschung und Innovation. „Die Anträge sind komplexe technische Beschreibungen, die jeweils viel an Zeit und Know-How benötigen. Wir überzeugen durch unsere Erfolgsquote“, erklärt der ehemalige Betriebswirt.

Das DORUCON Berater-Team aus Ingenieuren, Naturwissenschaftlern und Betriebswirten punktet mit langjähriger Erfahrung und Kompetenz, sowohl im wirtschaftlichen als auch im technischen Bereich. „Im Grunde ist das Kennzeichen unseres Unternehmens, dass unsere Mandaten nach der Beratung mehr Geld auf dem Konto haben als vorher. Hinzu kommt, dass wir hochgradig erfolgsorientiert arbeiten, so dass die Interessen der Kunden gleich mit unseren Interessen gehen“, bringt Dr. Rupp die Unternehmensstrategie auf den Punkt.

DORUCON-Kunden wissen diese Art von Entlastung aus professioneller Hand zu schätzen. Die Mandanten-Liste generiert sich vor allem aus vielbeschäftigten Geschäftsführern von solchen Unternehmen, die eigene Produkte entwickeln oder planen und dabei finanzielle Unterstützung von öffentlicher Hand suchen. Zu den Kunden gehören Vertreter aller Technologiebranchen, wie zum Beispiel Maschinenbau, IKT, Chemie, Werkstoffe, Optik, Biotech und Verfahrenstechnik. „Wir unterstützen den Innovationsprozess von der Ideenfindung bis zur Umsetzung.

Das ist gerade für Unternehmen, die weg vom Projekt- und hin zum Produktgeschäft wollen, sehr spannend“, erläutert der DORUCON-Geschäftsführer.

Mittelständische Kunden schätzen den vollumfänglichen Service bei DORUCON ebenso wie die zertifizierte Kompetenz in der Beratung. Und nicht zuletzt zeigt die hohe Erfolgsquote, dass das organisch wachsende Unternehmen mit seinem hohen Qualitäts-Anspruch dem wirtschaftlichen Zeitgeist voll und ganz entspricht. www.dorucon.de Issue 62 | May 2018 | 91

Discover Germany | Business | Solicitor Column

Saving Babar, Lumpy and Friends TEXT & PHOTO: GREGOR KLEINKNECHT

I think it is safe to say that we all agree on the principle that saving the elephant is a worthwhile objective and cannot happen a day too soon if the animal isn’t to become as fictional as a heffalump. In reality, the UK has always been, and still remains today, one of the world’s centres of the legal ivory trade. In order to hopefully bring about real and effective change, the Government has been pushing to implement one of the Conservatives’ manifesto pledges to bring forward more robust protection measures.

In a recently closed Government consultation on the proposed UK ivory sales ban, 88 per cent of respondents supported the proposed ban. The Government’s response to the consultation suggests that these measures are now a step closer, and that they will amount to one of the world’s toughest bans (at least on paper).

The proposal is to extend the already existing ban to cover ivory items of all ages, not only those produced after 1947, which is the position under current law. The maximum penalty for breaching the ban will be an unlimited fine or up to five years in jail. However, there will still be some exemptions: - items comprised of less than 10 per cent ivory by volume and made prior to 1947 (this is also known as the ‘de minimis’ exemption) - musical instruments with an ivory content of less than 20 per cent and made prior to 1975 - the rarest and most important items of their type; they will be assessed by specialist institutions, such as museums, be92 | Issue 62 | May 2018

fore exemption permits are issued, and must be at least 100 years old - portrait miniatures at least 100 years old (they are often painted on thin bases of ivory) - commercial activities between accredited museums Even though some antiques containing ivory will no longer be allowed to be traded, these exemptions are intended to safeguard and balance the legitimate interests of the art and antiquities trade and of collectors, who have been lobbying strongly throughout the consultation process.

How much of an effect the ban will have on poaching and the illicit ivory trade, and how many elephants the ban will actually save, remains to be seen. There is a risk that it will only increase the value of legally traded ivory whereas experience would unfortunately appear to suggest that the illicit trade will simply find other routes and outlets; the trade in illegally excavated and trafficked antiquities serves as an example of how this happens. All too often, it will catch the wrong people, such as a house-moving client who recently asked us for help when the container containing her household goods was searched by HMRC on transhipment from New Zealand to the Netherlands and her grandparents’ 19th century piano was seized because it had ivory keys and was not accompanied by the correct CITES paperwork. Law-abiding as she may have wanted to be, it simply did not occur to the client that the instrument required export paperwork.

However, leading (at long last) by example is the right approach and on a global scale this may be a case of ’every little helps’.

Hopefully, the introduction of a ban with some limited and pragmatic exemptions for items of low ivory content or legitimate museum trading, will draw a close to what has often been an emotionally charged debate. Much will depend on how effective enforcement of the ban is, and how successful prosecutions will be in practice.

Heffa nice day and fingers crossed that it will make a difference.

Gregor Kleinknecht LM MCIArb is a German Rechtsanwalt and English solicitor, and a partner at Hunters Solicitors, a leading law firm in Central London.

Hunters Solicitors, 9 New Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London WC2A 3QN, E-mail: gjk@hunters-solicitors.co.uk www.hunters-solicitors.co.uk

Discover Germany | Culture | Language Column

The travails of travelling – the delights of the German and French vocabulary In this column, author Adam Jacot de Boinod explores the weird and wonderful world of German and French vocabulary and discovers some rather interesting terms. Let us take a look at what he has found.

TEXT: ADAM JACOT DE BOINOD | PHOTO: DREAMSTIME

The German language has an excellent range of vocabulary to deal with the act of getting about: - Lebensgefährte: one who travels life’s road with you - Tapetenwechsel: being bored with the place you’re in and wishing to go somewhere else (literally, let’s change the wallpaper) - Geisterfahrer: a person driving on the wrong side of the road - Notbremse ziehen: to swerve away at the last moment (literally, to pull the handbrake) Not to mention the method: - Drahtesel: a bicycle (literally, a wire donkey) - Warmwassergeige: a souped-up motorcycle (literally, a warm-water violin)

- Lumpensammler: the last train (literally, a rag collector) - Luftkissenboot: a hovercraft (literally, an air cushion vehicle) - der Frischfleischwagen: an ambulance (literally, a fresh-meat delivery van) The colour black We can all be green with envy, see red or feel a bit blue. Idioms can be full of colour and have a strong symbolic force. The colour black in German has an impressive range of connotations: - schwarz sehen: to be pessimistic (literally, to see black) - sich schwarz ärgern: to be very angry (literally, to be angry black) - Schwarzfahren: to not pay the fare for a ride (literally, black riding) - schwarze Liste: a list of undesirable or suspicious people (literally, a black list) - etwas schwarz malen: to have a

pessimistic outlook (literally, to paint something black) - ins Schwarze treffen: to hit something very precisely (literally, to hit the black) - eine schwarze Seele haben: to be evil (literally, to have a black soul) - jemandem den schwarzen Peter zuschieben: to pass an unpleasant responsibility onto someone else (literally, to pass the black Peter to someone) To kick the bucket The French language has a highly inventive collection of euphemisms for the tricky subject of passing on: - sucrer les fraises: literally, to sugar the strawberries - passer l’arme à gauche: literally, to pass the firearm to the left - avaler son bulletin de naissance: literally, to swallow one’s birth certificate Adam Jacot de Boinod worked on the first series of the BBC panel game QI for Stephen Fry. He is a British author having written three books about unusual words with Penguin Press.

Issue 62 | May 2018 | 93

Festival for Short Film, Animation & Music Video, Vienna: Everything

by David O’Reilly, Jury prize winner. Photo: © David O’Reilly

Culture Calendar

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE

Blue skies and plenty to do. The month of May is packed with a vast range of fantastic culture gigs, colourful dance events and a wonderful selection of culinary highlights for everyone. Are you ready to explore?

demonstrates the power of character at its best. www.conference.pictoplasma.com

Lavender Spring offer, bade:haus norderney (ongoing) The German bade:haus norderney is currently offering fabulous Thalasso packages using Lavender. The lovely scent takes centre stage this season with Thalasso highlights such as the sea salt lavender peeling, the lavender oil bath and of course, massages with lavender oil. www.norderney.de

Dance festival ‘Zürich tanzt’, Zurich (4 – 6 May) All over the city of Zurich, around 175 dance events will take place during these three jampacked festival days. 15,000 enthusiastic visitors attend the vast range of courses, performances, films and parties all centred around dance. www.zuerichtanzt.ch

Media Convention Re:publica, Berlin (2 – 4 May) What started as a small blogger meeting in 2007 is now one of the world’s largest conferences on digital culture. International media professionals, 94 | Issue 62 | May 2018

entrepreneurs and academics share their knowledge and discuss the future of the information society. An absolute must for anyone who is media-savvy or those longing to be. https://18.re-publica.com

Pictoplasma Conference & Festival Berlin (2 – 6 May) From avant-garde urban art to global recognition value, award-winning animation to viral internet phenomena: the 14th Pictoplasma festival presents true virtuosos of contemporary character design and art. Visitors are challenged by the artists to change their way of perception and thinking when it comes to facial patterns. Pictoplasma

Klangfrühling, Schlaining (5 – 14 May) The Klangfrühling is an annual music festival offering a range of different classical music events merged with culinary highlights. Grand music and fabulous food. What is not to like? www.klangfruehling.at

Discover Germany | Culture | Culture Calendar Genussfestival, Vienna (11 – 13 May) Each May, the Vienna city park becomes the backdrop for a marvellous selection of culinary specialities from Austria. Whether it’s escargots and wine from Vienna, poppyseed oil from the Waldviertel, Carinthian honey, saffron from the Wachau or spicy cheese from Vorarlberg, this is a highlight for your taste buds. www.genuss-festival.at

Velothon, Berlin (13 May) This is Europe’s second largest bicycle race of its kind. The scenic route runs across Berlin and passes the city’s main sights before it finishes back at its starting point: the legendary Brandenburg Gate. With more than 13,000 participants and 250,000 spectators, this event is a true celebration of cycling. It offers three different routes, so anyone can join. www.velothon.com

Carnival of Cultures, Berlin (18 – 21 May) During the four days around Pentecost, Berlin turns into a big party celebrating cultural diversity across Germany’s vibrant capital. The grand finale is the street parade in Kreuzberg on Pentecost Sunday, with thousands of dancers and musicians, and plenty of people partying with them. Good vibes all around. www.karneval-berlin.de

Genuss Festival Vienna.

Photo: Genuss-Festival - Kulinarisches Erbe Österreich

Salzburg Whitsun festival (18 – 21 May) This festival focusing on Baroque music is a great cultural appetiser for the summer’s main festival in the lovely Salzburg. A variety of Baroque concerts set the mood for the upcoming summer season. www.salzburgerfestspiele.at

Formula E Race - Berlin ePrix 2018 (19 May) For the ninth time, Berlin hosts the all-electric Formula E Championship. The race will take place at the former Tempelhof Airport and consists of ten teams and 20 drivers who will compete during the 12 rounds. www.fiaformulae.com

Food Zurich (24 May – 3 June) Traditional Swiss cuisine meets global culinary trends at the Food Zurich festival. Whether you

Carnival of Cultures: China meets Berlin.

Photo: Daniela Incoronato, Umzugsgruppe: China meets Berlin

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Discover Germany | Culture | Culture Calendar

Carnival of Cultures: Furiosa.

Photo: © Frank Löhmer, Umzugsgruppe Furiosa

are a foodie, a gourmet chef or an amateur cook, this is the place to be this month. www.foodzurich.com

Exhibition Plenty of Room for All Sorts of Happiness by Werner Büttner, London (25 May – 23 June) Following Marlborough New York’s Werner Büttner show in 2016, Marlborough London is hosting the exhibition, Plenty of Room for All Sorts of Happiness, by the leading German artist. This exhibition at Marlborough’s Mayfair Gallery space encompasses new works made over the last two years together with a rich selection of paintings from the 1980s when Büttner first came to worldwide attention as part of a new generation of German artists. www.marlboroughlondon.com

Storytelling Festival, Graz / Linz / Vienna / Niederösterreich (26 May – 19 June) This year Folke Tegetthoff’s ‘International Storytelling Festival’ returns to various Austrian 96 | Issue 62 | May 2018

locations and celebrates its 31st anniversary.

Over the years it has turned into one of the world’s most important storytelling festivals and is the largest of its kind in Europe – and the only one in Austria! www.storytellingfestival.at

of 30 minutes. Presenting newcomers from abroad as well as local talent, this is an absolute must for any short-film buff. www.viennashorts.com

15th Festival for Short Film, Animation & Music Videos, Vienna (29 May – 4 June) The VIS is Austria’s biggest short film festival and a fantastic platform for showcasing international short films with a maximum length

It’s all about lavender at bade:haus norderney. Photo: © Nicholas Chibac

Participants compete during the Velothon Berlin on June 18, 2017 in Berlin, Germany.

Photo: © Jan Hetfleisch / Getty Images for Velothon

Werner Büttner, Plenty of Room for All Sorts of Happiness, 25 May – 23 June 2018, Marlborough Fine Arts, London, marlboroughlondon.com

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Discover Germany | Culture | Barbara Geier Column

Digital detox: German style TEXT & PHOTO: BARBARA GEIER

When you are from one country and live in another, one thing you notice is that we actually all have more in common than the people from either one of those countries, who have no experience of the other, usually think. Trends, issues, problems, discussions, fashions – all very similar. At least in the case of the UK and Germany, the two countries I can talk about. When I watch German talk shows and read German media, for example, which I do on a regular basis, I notice that the topics people discuss and/ or get enraged about are the same as in the UK. With local specifics, of course.

No matter if serious politics or more general trends in society, there are more parallels than you might think. And one thing that we definitely have in common is that our two nations are suffering from serious digital overload.

‘Digital Detox’ – I don’t know how many times I’ve read that in English and German publications recently, with the latter using the English term as well, by the way. Much cooler, obviously! People glued to their mobile phones or other screens is the way things are now and it has taken on such proportions that it’s become a thing to be worried about and that needs discussing. In Germany, the average user apparently checks their smartphone about 80 times per day and very intense users even 10 times per hour. Actually, thinking about myself and my own mobile phone habits, I’m getting a bit nervous now. Really need to cut that down ….

Based on a digital detox survey by Bitkom, the German Federal Association 98 | Issue 62 | May 2018

for Information Technology, that was conducted in December 2017, 38 per cent of Germans are not interested in cutting themselves off from their bigger and smaller screens and the internet. At the same time, 44 per cent say that they have already consciously given up digital media, at least for a certain period of time – and every seventh German has tried to do without email, social media, mobile phone et al and has failed. (Don’t like admitting it but I have an inkling I wouldn’t be too successful either.) 11 per cent actually put it on their New Year’s resolutions list and wanted to give digital detoxing a try in 2018.

If you’re also on board – like me, in theory (so far) – you could make it easier for yourself by actively choosing environments that discourage or even ban the use of digital media. The tourism industry has already caught on, with special offers catering for the digital detox trend.

Some hotels actively promote ‘offline holidays’. No Wi-Fi, no mobile phone coverage, no internet access anywhere.

Rooms are without TVs, radio and alarm clocks. Sounds blissful and scary in equal measures.

A hotel near Stuttgart, for example, decided to ban the use of mobiles and laptops in certain parts of the building, wanting to “treat their guests to a digital downtime”. So, instead of phones ringing and laptop keyboards clicking, it’s only (hopefully) good conversation or a book instead. ‘Digital no go’ areas are the breakfast room, sun terrace and adjoining restaurant. Signs on the tables remind guests of what is ‘verboten’. Apparently, some guests need reminders, howev-

er, so far no one has had to be forcefully checked out for unwanted WhatsApping.

The managing director acknowledges that she doesn’t know if the partial ban keeps away any guests, however, is convinced that their offer attracts a certain kind of customer all the more. I have to say I might be one of them – because first, I hate people constantly engaging with their phones during meals and second, I think a bit of ‘force’ in the context of digital detoxing would actually make it easier, at least for me …

Barbara Geier is a London-based freelance writer, translator and communications consultant. She is also the face behind www.germanyiswunderbar.com, a German travel and tourism guide and blog that was set up together with UK travel writer Andrew Eames in 2010.

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