History is more present than ever – in computer games, documentaries, novels and from 30.07. on DW. The new channel brings historical moments that shape our present and future back to life.
The legendary visit of the British Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1965 is dedicated to an entire episode of “History and Culture”
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip drive through Berlin in an open car – the crowd cheers enthusiastically, the royal couple waves in a friendly manner, while the Hotel Adlon is busy preparing for the important visit. The year is 1965, the British monarchy is visiting Germany for the first time since 1909. The recordings are blurred, there is jerking, white stripes disturb the picture, but the atmosphere and importance of this event can be clearly felt when looking at the archive pictures, even after almost 60 years. DW wants to broadcast these and other historic moments on its new YouTube channel from July 30th. show.
Histotainment is the order of the day: these are media formats such as documentaries, history podcasts, historical novels or even computer games with historical plots that aim to convey historical knowledge in an entertaining way. In short: history is cool, history is en vogue, history is more relevant than ever. Interested parties can now also find history formats on DW YouTube and TV.
Two weekly formats “History Stories” and “Arts Unveiled”
“If you want to understand today, you have to fathom yesterday,” wrote the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winner for literature, Pearl S. Buck. The new YouTube channel wants to help to better understand and classify today with the support of yesterday. But “DW History and Culture” also presents previously unseen historical images or tells stories that everyone thinks they know, but which then reveal so many details that one or the other oh-what? enlightenment is inevitable. “History and Culture” wants to be the platform on which those interested in history can find information on various historical events, epochs and personalities. For this purpose, old recordings, images and soundtracks are retrieved from the depths of the archives and retold in new media formats – precise, classifying, entertaining .
There will soon be a documentary about Berlin on the DW YouTube channel “History and Culture”. Metropolis for trans people
“History Stories” is the name of one format that is uploaded weekly to the new English YouTube channel. It's a retro format that puts archival footage in a new context. Well-known and not-so-well-known episodes from culture, politics, business and science that happened years ago and still have an impact today are shown. Some programs are also produced in German for the TV channels “DW Deutsch” and “DW Deutsch+”. Whether it's the construction of the Wall in 1961 or the beginning and end of the legendary Love Parade – the topics are diverse and are retold over a longer period of time.
The second format, which will also appear weekly on the new channel, is called “Arts Unveiled”. Although the episodes are currently shot, they always deal with historical aspects and answer exciting questions in the form of an explainer. “Why will Stephen King never win the (literature) Nobel Prize?”, “Why does everyone love the pop band ABBA?” and “Why did Adolf Hitler adore the music of Richard Wagner?” Users can find answers to these and other questions on the new DW channel “History and Culture” – and can participate in the discussion in the comment columns and enrich our DW community.
“It's nothing new that “There is a great deal of public interest in videos on historical topics. So it made sense for Deutsche Welle to develop a new product in addition to the existing offerings, for example in the documentary film sector, which concentrates exclusively on this genre. It also makes sense because we as a public-law institution and a member of the ARD broadcasting network, we have large and wonderful moving-image archives, and there are still many treasures to be unearthed,” says Rolf Rische, Head of the Culture and Documentation Department.
Both formats will officially start on 07/30 The first videos can already be seen online in English here.
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