Inside Germany: Easter snowfall and protests against digital violence

Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might've missed. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

I began last week’s ‘Inside Germany’ by welcoming readers to spring, so it’s only fitting that this week we begin by acknowledging the onset of ‘third winter’.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the weather in Germany, having made it through quite a few winters myself, it's that when you think winter is over, it’s not. 

Weather here can be particularly erratic, with dramatic temperature swings to be expected during spring or fall, or really at any time. This can amount to surprising bouts of warmth in the middle of winter, but also to sudden cold snaps and hail storms through late spring or even in summer. Last year, ten centimetres of snow fell in the German alps in mid-July, for example.

Extreme temperature fluctuations are expected to increase in frequency and severity in the foreseeable future due to climate change by the way. (Just one more reason why Germany should really get back to focusing on its energy transition instead of the gas-fuelled frenzy that the government is pushing lately.)

READ ALSO: German 'green village' rides out Mideast energy storm

Anyway, if you’ve been struggling to figure out how Germany’s seasons work, allow me to introduce you to the ‘11-season calendar’, which includes some additional seasons like the “spring of deception” or “false fall”.

In my experience, counting on weather closer to the 11-season pattern can be more helpful for understanding what's to come than the simpler four-season calendar.

With temperatures dropping around Germany now and Easter forecasts suggesting freezing night-time temperatures – and even fresh snow in the alpine region around that time – it seems safe to say that ‘third winter’ has come.

READ ALSO: 'Third winter' begins - Germany's 11-season calendar explained

In theory, this could then be followed by “rain season” and then finally “actual spring”.

Who is this?

You might recognise this woman if you've watched a lot of German language movies. On the moviepilot.de website, some of the 'best' films she was in included: "Die Nacht der Lebenden Loser" (Night of the Living Loser), "Ossi's Eleven", and "Weinhnachts Männer" (Christmas Men).

You might also recognise her from German TV: she has been a presenter on various shows on channels like the music channel VIVA, MTV, VOX, RTL and ProSieben.

But unfortunately, if you've been following German news at all this week, it's more likely that you've come across her as the victim of a shocking case of digital sexual harassment.

The person in the picture is Collien Fernandes, a German actor and TV-presenter who has found herself at the centre of a bizarre and upsetting real-life drama in which her now ex-husband stands accused of creating and spreading deepfake sexual images of her online.

For many people, the story also highlights how German law is not yet equipped to deal with certain types of digital crime, including sexual violence. 

READ ALSO: Why deepfakes and sexual violence is the big talking point in Germany right now

In the past week large demonstrations in solidarity with Fernandes, and against digital sexual violence, erupted in major cities around Germany.

In the photo above, Fernandes is seen addressing a demonstration in her hometown of Hamburg. Earlier that day it had been reported that she did not plan to attend due to security risks, but in the end she did appear at the rally and shared some powerful words with the crowd there.

Fernandes said that she had come "with a bulletproof vest and with police protection...Because I receive death threats. Because men...want to kill me. One can no longer wonder why so many women simply don't have the courage to come forward and say: 'This was done to me'."

If there is a glimmer of hope to found here, it's in the fact that the story has brought the issue of sexual violence online to the forefront of minds across the country. Both the Green party and the Social Democrats had already been working on proposals intended to better equip German law to deal with cases like this. Some version of this can be expected to become legislation, likely within the year.

Earth hour on Saturday evening

As a sign of solidarity with climate protection efforts, the lights will be switched off on Saturday at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin as well as at numerous other landmarks around the world like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome or the Sydney Opera House.

This is part of an annual awareness raising event called "Earth Hour", which starts at 8:30pm local time.

According to the non-profit WWF, which organises the event, participation in "Earth Hour" is a sign to politicians to do more for the climate and the environment.

Companies and private households are also encouraged to participate. Should you feel the urge to join in, the rules are pretty simple. "Earth Hour" invites you to "turn off the lights and do something positive for our planet for 60 minutes – no matter what," writes WWF international.

Another small thing you might consider doing on Saturday evening: turning any of your analogue clocks back one hour. Don't forget that the clocks are due to spring forward as daylight savings time starts Sunday.