From the 28th July onwards anybody who is interested in Germany and the German language can log into the virtual internet world of “Second Life” and avail themselves of its comprehensive range of events and information. Goethe-Institut’s presence at “Second World” comprises videos, introductory German language courses, online get-togethers moderated in German, as well as a cultural program.

What: Launch of Goethe-Institut presence at “Second Life” with a live concert by Bernd Begemann

When: 28th July 2008, 5 p.m. CET

Where: www.goethe.de/secondlife

“Second Life” is a virtual world on the Internet that was entirely created and further developed by its residents and in future Goethe-Institut is to be part of that world. Visitors to the site can take part in an introductory course to the German language in a virtual classroom – entirely free-of-charge. They can watch videos or get involved in a get-together that is held in German and takes place every day in the café. The global Goethe-Institut network along with all the current events it has organised are presented on a three-dimensional, interactive map of the world. This is the Goethe-Institut’s first step towards sounding out the possibilities of learning a language and creating an intercultural dialogue with the help of Web 2.0.

Alongside the extensive range of services for the learner of German they also have their own cultural program – a media artist working for six months at a time on a 3-D project. A major part of the site is also devoted to two temporary exhibitions. The first one the viewer encounters is a virtual version of an exhibition called “The Tropics - Views from the Middle of the Globe ” that is on display at the Martin Gropius Building in Berlin from 12th September until 5th January 2009. As a further attraction “Second Life” is also showcasing the work of young, German fashion photographers. The winning entries from the short-film competition called “Die Macht der Sprache” (The Power of Language) can also be viewed on large-screen video. For the launch on 28th July 2008 the singer, Bernd Begermann, will be performing in a live concert at 5 p.m.

“Goethe-Institut hopes that the “Second Life” project is going to open up new vistas in the field of language learning and intercultural dialogue with the help of 3-D communities,” said Klaus Brehm, Head of Goethe-Institut’s internet department. “Our aim is to use our experience to develop utilisation concepts for the future that are geared perfectly to the needs of “Second Life” users.”

Goethe-Institut’s participation on the “Second Life” site was realised by the Munich agency of Bokowsky + Laymann, one of Germany’s leading online agencies, which also has a permanent office at “Second Life”.

For further information and thumbnail images go to: www.goethe.de/secondlife

The Goethe-Institut in brief:
The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany and is active all over the world. Its main focus is on the promotion of the German language abroad and the fostering of international cultural cooperation. With the aid of all its many events and programs abroad the Goethe-Institut furthermore strives to project an all-embracing image of Germany by providing information on the country’s cultural, social and political life.

Contact:
Klaus Brehm
Goethe-Institut Zentrale
Internet Department
Tel.: 089 - 15921 - 494
brehm@goethe.de

Dr. Christine Regus
Goethe-Institut
Berlin Office
Press Officer
Tel.: 030 - 25906 – 471
regus@goethe.de

About Bokowsky + Laymann
Bokowsky + Laymann, marketing in computer mediated environments, conceptualizes and realizes sophisticated Internet presences and e-business applications for organizations and companies since 1996. In addition the company is dealing with the design of entertainment content for the internet and, since early 2006, with the conceptualization and realization of company presences in Second Life.
Bokowsky + Laymann has been among the first German online agencies to open a permanent office in Second Life. Every Monday at 4:00 PM this office is the meeting point for the popular “Early Adopters Tour” to the most famous company SIMs in Second Life.

Internet:
www.bokowsky.de
secondlife.bokowsky.net
presse@bokowsky.de


Contact:
Bokowsky + Laymann GmbH
Hr. Markus Bokowsky
Friedrichstr. 1
80801 München
Tel.: +49 89 33 00 86 95
markus@bokowsky.de