  A survey is given on selected topics concerning the role of spontaneous
chiral symmetry breaking in low-energy QCD, and its dynamical implications for
nuclear systems. This includes aspects of chiral thermodynamics (the
temperature and density dependence of the chiral condensate). It also includes
an update on the theory of low-energy (s-wave) pion-nuclear interactions
relevant for deeply-bound states of pionic atoms and the quest for possible
fingerprints of chiral symmetry restoration in nuclear systems.
