Author: Christine Pfeilschifter

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Hermann, Prince of Puckler-Muskau (photo: Wikipedia)

The Oriental adventures of Hermann von Puckler-Muskau

Prussia's favourite dandy

Prince Puckler was one of the principal landowners in 19th century Prussia. Yet, his passion for landscape gardening brought him to the brink of financial ruin. His literary career provided some monetary relief, especially his travelogues, which also led him on a journey to the Egypt of Muhammad Ali Pasha. By Christine PfeilschifterMore

Qantara dossier: Travels in the OrientPierre Loti: Dreams of the OrientThe 100th Anniversary of Karl May's Death: Literary genius or man of legendary hubris?
The last German emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

″Simplicissimus″ and the Palestine issue

Satire's timeless appeal

Although the barbed satirical content of ″Simplicissimus″ was widely tolerated by the German Empire, the editors went too far with their ″Palestine issue″ which featured a merciless send-up of Wilhelm II and his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. By Christine PfeilschifterMore

Germans and Ottomans in the First World War: A partnership of privilegeQantara dossier: "Caricatures, satire and Islam"The 100th anniversary of Karl May's death: Literary genius or man of legendary hubris?
The English author of detective novels, Agatha Christie (1890 – 1976) (photo: Getty Images)

Agatha Christie and the Orient

When murder came to Mesopotamia

Hydrangea hedges, village gossip and high tea form the backdrop for Agatha Christie′s detective stories, which, sold in their millions worldwide, shape our image of England. But many of these typically English stereotypes and settings were actually created in the Middle East. By Christine PfeilschifterMore

Historical travelogues by women: Lugging a piano to KhartoumThe German archaeologist and explorer Max von Oppenheim: Enchanted by the myth of the OrientGertrude Bell: Queen of the desert

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Favourite of the hardliners: Ebrahim Raisi, a 61-year-old cleric, is running for the second time; in 2017 he lost to incumbent President Rouhani. In 2019, he was appointed head of the judiciary by religious leader Ayatollah Khamenei and is being touted as a possible successor to Khamenei. In the 1980s, Raisi was part of the so-called "death committee" responsible for executing thousands of political prisoners

Iran's presidential election: Contest of losers

Iran's Guardian Council has selected seven candidates for the mid-July presidential election. Most have run in the past. By Shabnam von Hein