An Anonymous Patron writes “This One From The Beeb says Germany’s cultural Goethe Institute has opened a branch in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang – the first of its kind in the secretive communist state.
Under the deal, Pyongyang is required to guarantee free access for its citizens to uncensored German-language books, videos, CDs and newspapers.
Goethe Institute president Jutta Limbach hailed the move as “a major success in cultural politics”.
Until now, Western media and literature have been banned in North Korea.
Correspondents, however, say it is open to question how many ordinary North Koreans will be able to benefit from the new centre in a city dominated by a privileged elite.”
Re: Goethe Institute opens library in N Korea
This is simply incredible news. It goes without saying that the Germans know a thing or two that the Amis might not when it comes to paranoid, economically devastated communist regimes.
A coup for the European policy of engagement?
Re: Goethe Institute opens library in N Korea
“A coup for the European policy of engagement?”
More like another way for a dictator to find out who’s for him and who’s against him. Do not for one instant think that access to books makes up for what this monster has done to his country and his people.
Re: Goethe Institute opens library in N Korea
Maybe they can stop that old Stalinist methodology and come up with their own version of the “Patriot Act”, too! Forward, into the 21st Century!
Grist for a samizdat mill? I’m not so sure.
Anyone have figures on German language literacy in North Korea?