ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Elke Heidenreich on Annoying German Proverbs

opinion-review · 2026-07-31

In a recent article for Süddeutsche Zeitung, German author and literary critic Elke Heidenreich criticizes overused German proverbs such as 'Gut Ding will Weile haben' (good things take time) and 'Rom wurde nicht an einem Tag gebaut' (Rome wasn't built in a day). She expresses frustration with these clichés, stating that she never wants to hear them again. The piece, titled 'Notizen aus meinem Leben: Was will uns all dieser Unfug sagen?' (Notes from my life: What is all this nonsense trying to tell us?), reflects her personal commentary on language and cultural habits. Heidenreich, known for her sharp wit and literary expertise, offers a critical perspective on the prevalence of such sayings in everyday German discourse. The article does not focus on a specific art event but rather on cultural observations, making it relevant to discussions on language and society.

Key facts

  • Elke Heidenreich criticizes common German proverbs.
  • The article was published in Süddeutsche Zeitung.
  • The title of the piece is 'Notizen aus meinem Leben: Was will uns all dieser Unfug sagen?'.
  • She specifically mentions 'Gut Ding will Weile haben' and 'Rom wurde nicht an einem Tag gebaut'.
  • Heidenreich expresses a desire to never hear these phrases again.
  • The piece is a personal commentary on language and culture.
  • Heidenreich is a German author and literary critic.
  • The article does not focus on a specific art event.

Entities

Artists

  • Elke Heidenreich

Institutions

  • Süddeutsche Zeitung

Sources