Source: GoetheOn July 18, Gitte Zschoch assumed the position of Secretary General of the Goethe-Institut. She succeeds Johannes Ebert, who had led the cultural institute since 2012. Gesche Joost, President of the Goethe-Institut, emphasized that Gitte Zschoch’s appointment is an important signal for the institution. Minister of State Serap Güler welcomed the new Secretary General of the Goethe-Institut and acknowledged the importance of the Goethe-Institut for the foreign cultural and educational policy. As Secretary General and Chair of the Executive Board, Gitte Zschoch is responsible, together with Business Director Doreen Kirmse, for the strategic and operational management of the globally active Goethe-Institut.
Commenting on the new Secretary General’s appointment, Goethe-Institut President Gesche Joost stated: “Gitte Zschoch is a proven expert in foreign cultural policy who has an excellent international network and knows the Goethe-Institut inside out. She stands for consistent, forward-looking development. In light of global crises and, at the same time, tight financial constraints, the challenges of strengthening the effectiveness of the Goethe-Institut’s work worldwide are considerable. And that is precisely what Gitte Zschoch can do—with a clear focus on what matters most, extensive experience, and a passion for shaping the future.” Serap Güler, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, thanked outgoing Secretary General Johannes Ebert for his many years of service and welcomed the Goethe-Institut’s new Secretary General, Gitte Zschoch: “In a time of global disorientation and fierce global competition among narratives and offerings, our shared task is to make clear what Germany and Europe stand for, while presenting a clear and, above all, relatable proposal. Approach the further development of the Goethe-Institut with determination. Set priorities and, in doing so, build on the impetus from the Bundestag and the Foreign Ministry’s foreign cultural and educational policy. I look forward to working with you!” Upon taking office, Gitte Zschoch emphasized: “With its global network, the Goethe-Institut makes an indispensable contribution to Germany’s foreign cultural and educational policy. Cultural exchange and language forge links between people and societies. In light of the global crises and manifold pressures we are facing, it is particularly important to me right now to continue developing the Goethe-Institut’s core competencies – the very aspects that have shaped its work for the past 75 years – in a focused and determined manner. I am very much looking forward to working with this outstanding team to further strengthen the Goethe-Institut’s role as an important intermediary between Germany, Europe and the world, and to champion international exchange based on mutual trust – something that is essential for our coexistence in uncertain times such as these.” From 2021 until 2026, Gitte Zschoch served as Secretary General of the ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen, which is one of the key players in Germany’s foreign cultural and educational policy and is responsible for the German Pavilion at the Venice Art Biennale. From 2018 to 2021, she headed the network of national European cultural institutes, EUNIC—European Union National Institutes for Culture, in Brussels. Prior to that, starting in 2009, she held various positions at the Goethe-Institut: in Seoul, Tokyo, Johannesburg, at the Munich headquarters as deputy head of the communications department, and from 2015 to 2018, as the founding director of the Goethe-Institut in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gitte Zschoch studied comparative literature at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich and earned her master’s degree in modern Korean literature at Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea. Since 2025, she has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the EUNIC network, which she continues to chair as president. Photos of the new Board of Directors can be found in our photo gallery: www.goethe.de/bilderservice The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s globally active cultural institute. With 154 institutes in 100 countries, it promotes knowledge of the German language, fosters international cultural cooperation, and conveys a contemporary image of Germany. Through collaborations with partner organizations in numerous other locations, the Goethe-Institut has a total of approximately 1,000 locations worldwide. www.goethe.deContactKatrin SohnsSpokesperson / Head of Strategic Communication, Media and PoliticsGoethe-Institut HauptstadtbüroTel.: +49 30 25906 548Katrin.Sohns@goethe.deYasmina SuleimanPress OfficerGoethe-Institut HauptstadtbüroTel.:+49 89 15921 638YasminaIsabelle.Suleiman@goethe.de
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20 July 2026 : Gitte Zschoch is the new secretary general of the Goethe-Institut
