March 17, 2026
Aden – Desert Sky:
The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Engineer Mutie Damaj, met today with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Yemen, Thomas Schneider, and representatives of the Goethe Institute, headed by the Institute's Director of Culture and Education, Dr. Katharina von Röckschel, to discuss ways to develop and strengthen cultural cooperation between the two sides.
The meeting, held via video conference with the participation of the Yemeni Ambassador to Germany, Dr. Luay Al-Eryani, reviewed the activities of the Goethe Institute, one of the most prominent German cultural institutions concerned with promoting the German language and strengthening international cultural exchange. They also discussed the potential role the Institute could play in supporting the cultural and educational landscape in Yemen, in light of the government's efforts to expand international partnerships in the fields of culture and education.
The meeting also addressed the importance of reactivating the Institute's programs and activities in Yemen, including exploring the possibility of opening a branch in the interim capital, Aden. This would contribute to revitalizing cultural activity and strengthening the bridges of cultural communication between Yemen and Germany.
The meeting addressed support for the German Language Department at Aden University and explored the possibility of relocating and administering internationally recognized German language proficiency tests within Aden. This would alleviate the burden on students and enable them to fulfill the requirements for studying at German universities without having to travel.
Minister Damaj emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing cultural cooperation with international institutions, particularly the Goethe Institute, thereby strengthening Yemen's cultural presence internationally and contributing to building the capacities of young people and equipping them with modern educational standards.
For their part, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Yemen and representatives of the Goethe Institute expressed their appreciation for the existing level of cooperation. They affirmed their readiness to expand partnerships with the Yemeni government and implement high-quality cultural and educational programs in the coming period, serving mutual interests and strengthening cultural understanding between the two countries.
