History
1951
The Goethe-Institut was founded as successor to the German Academy (Deutsche Akademie/DA), which was founded in 1925. Its first task was to provide further training for foreign German teachers in Germany.
1953
The first language courses run by the Goethe-Institut began in Bad Reichenhall. Due to growing demand, new centres of learning were opened in Murnau and Kochel, the focus of selection being on towns which were small and idyllic and which show post-war Germany at its best. Lessons were taught from the first textbook developed by the Goethe-Institut, the now legendary "Schulz-Griesbach".
1953-55
The first foreign lectureships of what was the German Academy were taken on by the Goethe-Institut. Responsibilities include German tuition, teacher training and providing a program of cultural events to accompany courses.
1959-60
On the initiative of the head of the arts sector of the Foreign Office, Dieter Sattler, the Goethe-Institut gradually took over all of the German cultural institutes abroad.
1968
Influenced by the student revolts of the late 1960s the Goethe-Institut readjusted its program of cultural events to include socio-political topics and avant-garde art.
1970
Acting on behalf of the Foreign Office Ralf Dahrendorf developed his "guiding principles for foreign cultural policy". Cultural work involving dialog and partnership was declared the third pillar of German foreign policy. During the Willy Brandt era the concept of "extended culture" formed the basis of activities at the Goethe-Institut.
1976
The Foreign Office and the Goethe-Institut signed a general agreement governing the status of the Goethe-Institut, henceforth an independent cultural organization.
1980
A new concept regarding the location of institutes within Germany was drawn up. Places of instruction in small towns, mostly in Bavaria, were replaced by institutes in cities and university towns.
1989/90
The fall of the Berlin Wall marked a turning point for the Goethe-Institut. Its activities in the 1990s were centred on Eastern Europe. Numerous new institutes were set up as a result.
2001
The Goethe-Institut merges with Inter Nationes.
2004
The Goethe-Institut established the first Western information centre in Pyongyang, North Korea (closed in 2009).
The Goethe-Institut Inter Nationes reverted to its original and official name, Goethe-Institut (GI).
2005
The Goethe-Institut was honored with the Prince-of-Asturias Prize of Spain.
2007
For the first time in more than ten years the German parliament increased the funds of the Goethe-Institut.
2010
Bruno Bozzetto created a new Goethe-Institut film named "Va Bene".
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“The history of the past is but one long struggle upward to equality.”
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