gastland

Gastland is a German noun that means guest country or guest nation. It designates a country invited to participate in an event, program, or cultural exchange as a participant, rather than the organizer or host. The term is formed from Gast (guest) and Land (country).

Usage and contexts

In German-language media and event programs, gastland is used to identify the country that attends as a guest at fairs, exhibitions, sports tournaments, or cultural festivals. For example, a brochure might refer to “das Gastland der Messe” to indicate which country is represented as a guest rather than hosting the event itself. The designation is typically contextual and contrasts with the host country, which is usually referred to as das Gastgeberland (the host country).

Distinction from related terms

The main distinction is between gastland and Gastgeberland. Das Gastgeberland refers to the country that hosts the event, while das Gastland is the country invited to participate as a guest. In some media usage, the terms may be used loosely, but in formal writing the roles should be clarified by context.

Form and usage notes

The noun’s plural is Gastländer. The term appears most often in discussions of international events, cultural exchanges, and international competitions, where several nations participate as guests and other actors host the event. See also: Gastgeberland; Gästeliste as related concepts in event coordination and international participation.