Discover other cultures through culture

Almost everyone has an idea of what salsa is. Opinions usually differ greatly - some love the music style, others don't like it at all. But one thing remains undisputed: A zest for life, warmth and a certain light-heartedness (once you've mastered the basic steps) are conveyed in every salsa dance lesson. And that's exactly what you need in the cold season. The Wintercamp Workshops by Salsarica are aimed at beginners, among others, and are perfect for simply trying out something new.

What I love most about folk music from the Balkans is the emotional range. Everything is possible, from sad and melancholic to cheerful and extremely danceable. The Balkan Gypsy Jam invites musicians of all levels to jam along. And everyone else to listen and immerse themselves in melodies and rhythms that open up completely new worlds.

Have you ever heard of Rembetiko? Rembetiko is a style of music that originated in the hashish dens and prisons of Greece. The film of the same name Rembetiko tells the story of the singer Marika Ninou on the one hand and shows the difficult living conditions of the "Rembetes" on the other. This was the name given to the social outcasts who fled to Greece in the 1920s after an attack on what is now Izmir. A melancholy film in which both a history lesson and a music lesson are packed.

I can't really imagine exactly how a Japanese tea ceremony works. So it's all the better that the Museum Rietberg invites anyone interested to experience this ancient ceremony in a Japanese tea room and learn more about the background to the "Chaji" tea invitation. The museum also has an exhibition on the kimono, the iconic item of clothing from Japan. If you like, you can browse through the more than 100 kimonos yourself before or after and if you like to ask questions, it is best to take part in a public guided tour.