Language and Culture
Language
Language and culture are closely linked, because language is part of culture. When you move to a new country, the exciting (and sometimes stressful) part is learning more about the local culture, customs and the like. The language gives you additional access to German culture and also makes it easier to pass on your own culture. And through cultural exchange, we also learn more about ourselves. So if you are interested in learning German, visit the website
of the Language Center. The courses are free of charge for members and scholarship holders of the University of Siegen. If your partner is interested in a German course but is not studying or researching at the University of Siegen, please let us know and we will inform you about the possibilities.
Culture
Siegen has a lot of cultural sights and events to offer. The Upper Castle, for example, is not only a historical site, but also has a beautiful castle park where you can relax and meet people, a small theater area and is home to the Siegerland Museum
and an open-air cinema in the summer.
In addition to the Siegerland Museum, there are a number of other museums and art galleries in and around Siegen, many of which deal with local history. Be it the former ruling nobility, the history of mining or Siegen's role under National Socialism. You can find an overview of the museums in Siegen here, and if you want to go a little further afield, you can visit one of these museums
in the Siegen-Wittgenstein district.
Numerous cultural events (e.g. music/concerts, theater, cabaret, etc.) take place in Siegen and the surrounding towns throughout the year. Below you will find the cultural programs for the individual towns.
" Siegen
" Kreuztal
" Freudenberg
" Altenkirchen
In addition to the university library, Siegen also has a municipal library opposite the town hall in the upper town. Here you can borrow books, films, music and games for a fee. You can find more information about the municipal library or how to obtain a library card via this link. Kreuztal also has an extensive municipal library.
If you want to be surprised by what you want to read next, there are several public bookshelves in Siegen where books are available for exchange. Of course, you can also put your own books that you have finished reading and no longer need on a bookshelf. We would like to introduce you to some of them: In Sandstraße, where the International Office is located, there is a multilingual bookshelf in the foyer of the first floor. The University Library also has a book exchange shelf in the Bib-Café. In Siegen there is a bookshelf in a red telephone box in the Sieg Carré and in Weidenau there is a small exchange shelf in front of the entrance to REWE.
There are several cinemas in Siegen where you can watch new and old movies. Here is a selection of cinemas in and around Siegen:
" CineStar Siegen
" Open-Air-Kino
" Panoptikum - Das studentische Kino
" International Movie Nights of the Language Center
" Viktora-Filmtheater
" Kulturhaus Lÿz
In Germany, there is freedom of religion, which guarantees every individual the freedom to practice his/her religion, to profess it and to join a religious community. However, everyone is also free not to profess any religion, to leave a religious community or to join another one.
In Germany, the majority of the population is Christian and the city of Siegen is the seat of the Siegerland-Wittgenstein Protestant Community Association, with over 60 communities and many Sunday schools. Here
you will find an overview of the upcoming church services. Information and church services of the Catholic Church in Siegen can be found here. There are a total of seven mosques in Siegen, including the Ibrahim Alkhalil Mosque, which is also the largest Muslim community in Siegen. The nearest synagogue can be found in the center of Cologne, information can be found here. Siegen is also home to one of more than 80 societies for Christian-Jewish cooperation.
There are also various religious university communities, an overview of which can be found here.
