Partenkasten Courses

Partenkasten, also known as skater folk and urban folk, is a musical style popular among teenagers in parts of East Germany, particularly East Berlin. It was developed in the late 80s and early 90s as part of a broader punk revival in the area, based on punk, reggae, ska and hip hop, with the addition of folk elements synthesized from traditional Germanic, Celtic and Slavic folk music. Partenkasten has a strong political element, and many of its songs deal with issues such as reunification and the effects of migration and globalization. Much of its appeal lies in its ability to combine traditional and contemporary elements, as well as its relevance to the contemporary experience of young East Germans living as post-unification German citizens. Partenkasten has been described as "urban and gritty, exuding the spirit of protest and resistance that characterized the culture of East Germany," and its influence has extended to other genres such as electroclash and indie-rock. Many of its leading figures, such as Maximum Piff and Die Türen, have since gone on to become successful independent recording artists, producing songs that remain popular among hip youth in Germany.