The Goldfish-Goethe Outdoor Screnings

Oliver’s life as a high-flying banker comes to an abrupt end when he crashes into a guardrail at 140 mph and wakes up in rehab, paralyzed from the waist down. Even though he initially tries to deny his new reality, it inspires him to come up with a risky plan. Together with a group of people with disabilities, he sets off for Zurich to get a substantial amount of illicit money to safety. A wild road trip across the boundaries of greed, “Glämaah,” luck—and legality. German 2019 Director: Alireza Golafshan DVD, 112 min. German with English subtitles

Goethe-Institut Boston

My Son-Goethe Outdoor Screenings

Love and loss are in close proximity in Lena Stahl's feature debut about a teenager and his mother setting off on a journey together after they almost lost one another. After the accident, it is unclear whether Jason will ever fully recover or be able to continue pursuing his dream of skateboarding. His mother, Marlene, is deeply worried and arranges a special rehabilitation program for him in Switzerland. Since Jason is not allowed to fly, she decides to drive him there herself. This marks the beginning of a long journey across Germany and eventually into Switzerland—a road trip that becomes an emotional challenge for both.&nbsp; Germany: 2021 Director: Lena Stahl DVD, 94 min German with English subtitles

Adam & Evelyn-Goethe Outdoor Screenings

Set against the sweltering summer of 1989, Adam &amp; Evelyn follows a young couple from East Germany as their carefully arranged lives begin to shift. What starts as a planned holiday becomes an unexpected journey shaped by quiet tensions, personal desires, and a world on the brink of change. As they travel, Adam and Evelyn find themselves confronting not only each other, but also the uncertain possibilities opening up around them. Acclaimed director Andreas Goldstein crafts a subtle and atmospheric portrait of love, identity, and transition—capturing a fleeting moment in history where private lives and larger forces begin to intertwine. Germany, 2018 Director: Andreas Goldstein DVD, 100 min &nbsp; German with English subtitles

Wilma or The Ghosts of Freedom-Goethe Outdoor Screenings

The film “Wilma will mehr” (2025) by Maren-Kea Freese tells the story of Wilma, whose life is strongly shaped by her past in the GDR (East Germany) and the period after reunification. Wilma used to work in the Lusatian Lignite Mining region as a machine operator and electrician, jobs that were important in the GDR and gave her a sense of stability and recognition. After German reunification, however, she gradually loses this security. Her skills are less valued in the new system, and she must make a living with poorly paid jobs. When her husband cheats on her and she loses her job, Wilma leaves her home in a hurry. In her mid-40s, she starts over in Vienna - with no plan, but plenty of determination. Working as a jane-of-all-trades in the suburbs, she moves into a leftist shared flat and sets more than just power lines in motion - she starts to get her life back on track. And when a dance school calls for her help, the joy of life slowly returns - along with a growing openness to love, somewhere between waltzes and wrench sets. Germany: 2025 Director: Maren-Kea Freese DVD, 112 min German with English subtitles

Ena Kantardžić and Sylvie Mayer: I promise, mute body

Studio 170 Artist Residency|Artist Talk/Panel and Closing Reception A closing reception to celebrate the culmination of&nbsp;I promise, mute body&nbsp;by Ena Kantardžić and Sylvie Mayer. This event includes an artist talk/panel discussion involving the two artists and the choreographer and their dancers, which will occur at 3PM. The artists will discuss their practices, their philosophies, and their observations on time and performance as a result of the Studio 170 Residency.

Concert IV: Lydian String Quartet presents Beethoven+

The Lydian String Quartet, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Boston, will present the complete string quartets of Ludwig van Beethoven in a series of 8 concerts over two years, culminating with the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death in Spring 2027. Each concert will present two Beethoven quartets framing contemporary works that demonstrate Beethoven’s lasting influence and providing new context for listening and understanding these canonical works in today’s world. Please get your tickets here: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-lydian-string-quartet-beethoven-concert-4-tickets-1715959534159?aff=oddtdtcreator">The Lydian String Quartet: Beethoven+ Concert 4 Tickets, Fri, May 29, 2026 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite</a> Beethoven+ (2025–2027) IV. Op. 18 No. 2 Reena Esmail (b. 1983) – Zeher (Poison) (2018) Op. 132  Beethoven’s Op. 18 No. 2 is a brilliant demonstration of the young composer attempting to make a name for himself in the Vienna of Mozart and Haydn. In contrast, with its celestial Heiliger Dankgesang central slow movement, Op. 132 represents late Beethoven at his most passionate and profound, transcending traditional form and content. In this program, the Heiliger Dankgesang, Beethoven’s “song of thanksgiving to God for recovery from an illness, in the lydian mode” is the antidote for Indian-American composer Reena Esmail’s Zeher (Poison), her personal response to “the feelings of frustration, defeat, and feeling of complete and literal voicelessness” experienced during an illness. Zeher was commissioned by Brooklyn Rider as a contemporary response to Beethoven’s Op. 132 for their album Healing Modes. About the Lydian String Quartet From its beginning in 1980, the Lydian Quartet has embraced the full range of the string quartet repertory with curiosity, virtuosity, and dedication to the highest artistic ideals of music making. In its formative years, the Lydians were awarded top prizes in international string quartet competitions, including Evian, Portsmouth and Banff, culminating in 1984 with the Naumburg Award for Chamber Music. In the years to follow, the quartet continued to build a reputation for their depth of interpretation, performing with "a precision and involvement marking them as among the world's best quartets" (Chicago Sun-Times). From the acknowledged masterpieces of the classical, romantic, and modern eras to the remarkable compositions written by today's cutting-edge composers, the Lydian Quartet approaches music-making with a sense of exploration and personal expression that is timeless.

The Lydian String Quartet, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Boston, will present the complete string quartets of Ludwig van Beethoven in a series of 8 concerts over two years, culminating with the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death in Spring 2027. Each concert will present two Beethoven quartets framing contemporary works that demonstrate Beethoven’s lasting influence and providing new context for listening and understanding these canonical works in today’s world. Please get your tickets here: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-lydian-string-quartet-beethoven-concert-4-tickets-1715959534159?aff=oddtdtcreator">The Lydian String Quartet: Beethoven+ Concert 4 Tickets, Fri, May 29, 2026 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite</a> Beethoven+ (2025–2027) IV. Op. 18 No. 2 Reena Esmail (b. 1983) – Zeher (Poison) (2018) Op. 132 Beethoven’s Op. 18 No. 2 is a brilliant demonstration of the young composer attempting to make a name for himself in the Vienna of Mozart and Haydn. In contrast, with its celestial Heiliger Dankgesang central slow movement, Op. 132 represents late Beethoven at his most passionate and profound, transcending traditional form and content. In this program, the Heiliger Dankgesang, Beethoven’s “song of thanksgiving to God for recovery from an illness, in the lydian mode” is the antidote for Indian-American composer Reena Esmail’s Zeher (Poison), her personal response to “the feelings of frustration, defeat, and feeling of complete and literal voicelessness” experienced during an illness. Zeher was commissioned by Brooklyn Rider as a contemporary response to Beethoven’s Op. 132 for their album Healing Modes. About the Lydian String Quartet From its beginning in 1980, the Lydian Quartet has embraced the full range of the string quartet repertory with curiosity, virtuosity, and dedication to the highest artistic ideals of music making. In its formative years, the Lydians were awarded top prizes in international string quartet competitions, including Evian, Portsmouth and Banff, culminating in 1984 with the Naumburg Award for Chamber Music. In the years to follow, the quartet continued to build a reputation for their depth of interpretation, performing with "a precision and involvement marking them as among the world's best quartets" (Chicago Sun-Times). From the acknowledged masterpieces of the classical, romantic, and modern eras to the remarkable compositions written by today's cutting-edge composers, the Lydian Quartet approaches music-making with a sense of exploration and personal expression that is timeless.

Studio 170 Artist Residency|Open Studio with dance performance I promise, mute body, featuring works by Ena Kantardžić and Sylvie Mayer, will be open to the public alongside a live, durational dance rehearsal in response to the exhibition. Choreographer Mary Ann Mayer will be guiding a group of performers, Luke Hatzis, Addison Husband, Izabella Latessa, Sawa Machida, and Ben Nir, in collaborating with the site and engaging in improvisational investigation of the paintings and sculptures. The result will be a performance and rehearsal in one—a revelatory process for observation. The responsive nature of this will involve the audience, who will occupy the space alongside the dancers and artists. Attendees are welcome to come and go as they please throughout the 5-hour open rehearsal, taking time to view the exhibition and its variable emergence.&nbsp;

Path of Awareness – Sounding Chinatown

Path of Awareness is an artistic walking format that explores how space is experienced through conscious movement and listening. Developed for Chinatown in Boston, this edition responds to the neighborhood’s layered architecture and the presence of Interstate 90, whose continuous infrastructural sound shapes the area’s atmosphere. Through a steady, moderate pace and deliberately open listening, participants expand their auditory field beyond the habitual filtering of everyday life. The walk invites attention to subtle acoustic shifts: reverberations between buildings, the masking and revealing of voices, the rhythm of traffic, and the sound of one’s own footsteps meeting pavement and concrete. Shoes become instruments; walking becomes a dialogue with architecture. The site-specific route turns the path itself into the destination. Thresholds—between quiet and noise, enclosure and exposure—emerge as lived spatial moments. Listening while walking reveals that infrastructure is not only seen but also heard, felt, and embodied. Since 2012, more than 25 Path of Awareness works have been realized worldwide, including in Berlin, Linz, New York, Tehran, Mexico City, and Marseille. Sounding Chinatown continues this evolving practice at a critical moment of urban transformation. Check out the rest of the Walking Festival of Sound events on their website <a href="https://www.wfos.net/">Walking Festival of Sound 2026</a> We encourage you to book tickets in advance of the events. This way we can stay in touch in case of udpates or changes to the program. All events are free, although spots are limited. Presented in cooperation with Walking Festival of Sound, semantic matter lab, Harvard ArtLab and Loeb Fellowship.

Chandler/Tremont Plaza

Foreign Correspondent Unplugged: Covering Democracy: Media, Politics, and Public Opinion on both Sides of the Atlantic

Join the American Council on Germany and the Goethe-Institut for an installment of our Foreign Correspondent Unplugged series, which delves into current political debates on both sides of the Atlantic. Political debates in both Germany and the United States are increasingly shaped not only by elections and policy decisions, but also by the narratives and interpretations that emerge in the media. As polarization deepens and political movements evolve, journalists and opinion writers play a crucial role in helping the public make sense of fast-moving political developments. Join two accomplished voices from their respective national media landscape for a conversation about politics, public discourse, and the changing role of journalism.&nbsp;Nadine Lindner, an award-winning correspondent for&nbsp;Deutschlandradio&nbsp;known for her reporting on the rise of the Alternative for Germany and political developments in eastern Germany, will be joined by&nbsp;Renée Loth, an opinion columnist at&nbsp;The Boston Globe&nbsp;and former editorial page editor of the newspaper. Drawing on decades of reporting and commentary, they will explore how political journalism and opinion writing shape public understanding of major political trends – from the evolution of party politics in Germany to the forces transforming American democracy – and what audiences on each side of the Atlantic often misunderstand about the other.

Re-mapping the world. Ukraine - from periphery to center stage in world politics?

Winner of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade Karl Schlögel will join Serhii Plokhy, Director of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University, in a conversation about the future of Ukraine. Moderated by exiled Russian journalist and author Elena Kostyuchenko, the fate of Ukraine and its relations in Europe will take center stage. Ukraine did not exist for generations on the mental maps of Europeans, including Germans. The takeover of Crimea and the Russian invasion in 2022 radically changed the perception of this long ignored and neglected nation. Much depends now on the resistance and resilience of the Ukrainians - and on the firm support of Europe - and hopefully the United States.

Concert III: Lydian String Quartet presents Beethoven+

The&nbsp;Lydian String Quartet, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Boston, will present the complete string quartets of Ludwig van Beethoven in a series of 8 concerts over two years, culminating with the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death in Spring 2027. Each concert will present two Beethoven quartets framing contemporary works that demonstrate Beethoven’s lasting influence and providing new context for listening and understanding these canonical works in today’s world. Please get your tickets here: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-lydian-string-quartet-beethoven-concert-3-tickets-1715944077929?aff=oddtdtcreator">The Lydian String Quartet: Beethoven+ Concert 3 Tickets, Sun, Feb 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite</a> Beethoven+ (2025–2027) III. Op. 95 Hans Thomalla (b. 1975)&nbsp;–&nbsp;Bagatellen&nbsp;(2015/16) Op. 59, No. 3 Beethoven’s middle quartets represent the extremes of expansion and compression of form resulting in new kinds of musical expression. His three&nbsp;Razumofsky&nbsp;quartets, Op. 59, presented the world with a bold form of instrumental virtuosity new to the realm of string quartet writing. The classical structures of Haydn and Mozart are expanded and given new life in Op. 59 No. 3, from the ambiguous harmonic soundscape of the introduction recalling Mozart’s&nbsp;Dissonance, to the dazzling fugal finale akin to those found in Haydn’s&nbsp;Sun&nbsp;quartets. In contrast, Beethoven’s&nbsp;Serioso&nbsp;(Op. 95), his shortest and most compact string quartet, strips away all excess to present a potently distilled expression. Hans Thomalla’s&nbsp;Bagatellen&nbsp;carries this distillation of expression to new levels with short explorations of musical gestures, harmonies and melodic patterns. About the Lydian String Quartet From its beginning in 1980, the Lydian Quartet has embraced the full range of the string quartet repertory with curiosity, virtuosity, and dedication to the highest artistic ideals of music making. In its formative years, the Lydians were awarded top prizes in international string quartet competitions, including Evian, Portsmouth and Banff, culminating in 1984 with the Naumburg Award for Chamber Music. In the years to follow, the quartet continued to build a reputation for their depth of interpretation, performing with "a precision and involvement marking them as among the world's best quartets" (Chicago Sun-Times). From the acknowledged masterpieces of the classical, romantic, and modern eras to the remarkable compositions written by today's cutting-edge composers, the Lydian Quartet approaches music-making with a sense of exploration and personal expression that is timeless.

FILM: Punching the World - New Films from Germany

In German with English subtitles. Germanz 2025. Presented by the Goethe-Institut Boston. Two brothers navigate a challenging childhood in East Germany as their family falls apart. Their father loses his job while their mother struggles to hold things together. Stuck in the middle, Tobi and Philipp are left to their own devices. In a life which otherwise boasts few bright spots or role models, the only other option is a group of older boys who promise adventure but bring violence and xenophobia. Philipp joins them and, for the first time, he feels a sense of purpose and belonging, even if he has to cross legal and moral boundaries. When a refugee shelter is scheduled to open nearby, the conflicts are about to escalate. Based on the novel of the same name by Lukas Rietzschel. Constanze Klaue’s debut feature film premiered in the Perspectives section at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. Director: Constanze Klaue DCP, 110 min.

Coolidge Corner Theatre

Navid Kermani in conversation with Susannah Heschel

Join us for a special evening featuring award winning German author and public intellectual Navid Kermani in conversation with Susannah Heschel, Professor and chair of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College. In recent years, Kermani has traveled through regions marked by upheaval to document how ordinary people endure, resist, and make meaning. Drawing on these journeys, he will read from his recent writings and reflect on the role of literature in times of crisis. Kermani and Heschel will explore what it means to be a writer in a polarized world marked by war, displacement, and political division? How is the concept of “the West” changing? How might literature, poetry, and religion serve as bridges in fractured societies and foster solidarity? These events bring together acclaimed thinkers from both sides of the Atlantic for a conversation on literature, politics, and spirituality at a moment of profound global change. Presented within the context of the series 'Navid Kermani: In Search of a Common Cause'. With this extensive lecture series, Navid Kermani, the Goethe-Institut in North America and <a href="https://www.vatmh.org/de/">the Thomas Mann House</a> in Los Angeles explore with our local partners how we can build and maintain solidarity among seemingly opposing identities, groups, and geopolitical alliances.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

World Cup Watch Parties 🎉⚽️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Where

goethe_institut_boston

Experiences

The Goldfish-Goethe Outdoor Screnings

My Son-Goethe Outdoor Screenings

Adam & Evelyn-Goethe Outdoor Screenings

Wilma or The Ghosts of Freedom-Goethe Outdoor Screenings

Ena Kantardžić and Sylvie Mayer: I promise, mute body

Concert IV: Lydian String Quartet presents Beethoven+

Concert IV: Lydian String Quartet presents Beethoven+

Ena Kantardžić and Sylvie Mayer: I promise, mute body

Path of Awareness – Sounding Chinatown

Foreign Correspondent Unplugged: Covering Democracy: Media, Politics, and Public Opinion on both Sides of the Atlantic

Re-mapping the world. Ukraine - from periphery to center stage in world politics?

Concert III: Lydian String Quartet presents Beethoven+

Concert III: Lydian String Quartet presents Beethoven+

FILM: Punching the World - New Films from Germany

Navid Kermani in conversation with Susannah Heschel