The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach.We promote knowledge of the German language abroad and foster international cultural cooperation. We convey a comprehensive picture of Germany by providing information on Germany's cultural, social and political life.
Through our network of Goethe-Institutes, Goethe Centres, cultural societies and reading rooms, alongside our examination and language learning centres, we perform the principal tasks of cultural and educational policy abroad. We work in partnership with public and private cultural bodies, the German federal states and municipalities, and the corporate sector.
We draw on the rich variety of our many-faceted open society and Germany's lively culture. We combine the experiences and conceptions of our partners in Germany and abroad with our professional skills and engage in a dialogue rooted in partnership. In doing so, we function as service providers and partners for everyone taking an active interest in Germany and the German language and culture, and act independently with no political affiliations.
We face the cultural policy challenges of globalisation and develop innovative concepts for a world made more human through mutual understanding, where cultural diversity is seen as an asset.
The Goethe-Institut Kolkata has been known as Max Mueller Bhavan since the 60s. It organsises and promotes a wide spectrum of cultural events. The focus of the cultural programme is to bring together Indian and German artists and intellectuals, present contemporary German culture and foster Indo-German and European cooperation with special reference to film, theatre and literature. It also promotes discussions on social and development policy, as well as social issues that are relevant in India and Europe.
Since January 2004, the Goethe-Institut Kolkata has housed the South Asia film archive, which loans German films to interested institutions in India and in the neighbouring countries. The Goethe-Institut Kolkata offers language courses and examinations for all levels, supports institutions offering language courses in the eastern region, conducts workshops and seminars for teachers of German as a foreign language and organises film courses.
The German Resource Centre at the Goethe-Institut Kolkata (opened in the spring of 2005) provides information about cultural and social life in Germany. This service is linked to the Information Centre of the Goethe-Institut New Delhi. It stocks books and media for all who are interested in Germany; these cannot be taken out of the Centre.
The language department provides learning aids for students enrolled in the courses. What was once the large library of the Goethe-Institut Kolkata will continue as the Max Mueller Bhavan Library at Seagull. You may borrow books and the Goethe-Institut will constantly add new stock.
