Deutschland mit einem Augenzwinkern (Germany with a Wink)

39 Chinese voices. Four decades of experiences. One country seen through many different eyes.

Edited by Dr Qian Yuejun, Deutschland mit einem Augenzwinkern (Germany with a Wink) is a collection of essays and personal stories by 39 Chinese writers living in Germany. Spanning more than four decades, from the 1980s to the present day, the book offers a vivid and often humorous portrait of life between two cultures.

Through stories of friendship, family, marriage, parenting, work and everyday encounters, the contributors explore what it means to build a life in a foreign country. Their experiences range from unexpected acts of kindness and moments of cultural misunderstanding to the challenges of integration, personal identity and belonging.

Rather than presenting an idealised picture of Germany, the collection embraces the complexities of real life. It celebrates generosity and openness while acknowledging prejudice, social tensions and the difficulties of adapting to unfamiliar customs and values.

At its heart, Germany with a Wink is about more than Germany itself. It invites readers to reflect on their own cultural assumptions and discover how living between different worlds can deepen our understanding of ourselves and others.

Above all, it reminds us that beyond cultural differences, it is our shared humanity, expressed through ordinary lives and everyday connections, that brings us together.

To order the book: germany@chinesen.de