Berthold Franke studied Music, German Literature and Social Sciences and worked as musician, journalist and university teacher. He joined the service of the GoetheInstitut in 1989 and held posts in Warsaw, Dakar, Munich, Stockholm, Paris. From 2009 to 2013 he was Regional Director South West Europe and Delegate for European affairs in Brussels. Since 2014 he is Regional Director Central Eastern Europe in Prague. He regularly publishes articles in German magazines and newspapers (o.a. in MERKUR, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Die Zeit) on topics of culture, cultural policy and foreign cultural policy.