Category Archives: Events & Festivals

Berlin Summer Rave 2013

Last night I went to my first Berlin Summer Rave at the disused Tempelhof Airport – a great location despite the distinctly un-summer-y weather.

I went with Summer Rave veterans Steffi, Bine and Olli and after a few short queues in the Berlin rain we could feel the bass even before we entered the building.

After a quick look around we made our way to the Planet Bass Hangar to see Lady Waks followed by Westbam.

Westbam as GIF (with a hard G)

And if you’re wondering what it all sounded like here’s a little taster of the Lady Waks set.

Lady Waks at Berlin Summer Rave 2013 at Tempelhof Airport

Olympus OM-D Photography Playground at the Opernwerkstätten Berlin

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An interactive exhibition is ideally suited to Berlin, a city overflowing with creative people, and that is what Olympus has created with the Olympus OM-D Photography Playground, which opened at the Opernwerkstätten last night.

The Opernwerkstätten, built between 1939 and 1941 with some involvement from Albert Speer, used to house the workshops of Berlin’s many opera companies. It was here that the sets were built and costumes made. Visiting during the installation of the new exhibition gave me the opportunity to appreciate the space.

Olympus turned over 7,000 m² of the building to a group of artists to create site-specific installations on the theme ‘Space and Art’. Between them, Jeongmoon Choi, Martin Butler, Shan Blume, Starstyling, Numen / For Use, Julian Charrière, UnitedVisualArtists, Tim John and Sven Meyer & Kim Pörksen, Speech and Zimoun have created a stimulating playground for the senses.

Visitors are invited to explore the space and document their experiences with the Olympus OM-D camera which can be rented free of charge. The memory card is removed from the camera when it is returned and can be taken home.

Photo courtesy of Olympus

Warning: You will need ‘proper’ identification (for those without a National Identity Card, a passport) to borrow one of the cameras.

Unfortunately, my UK Drivers Licence wasn’t acceptable so I can’t tell you any more about the Olympus OM-D, except that it looks good.

It was clear that those people who did get their hands on the camera were enjoying the experience though – everywhere you went people were snapping away.

And why wouldn’t they? The installations have been cleverly conceived and constructed to play with light, sound and perception and make ideal subjects or backgrounds for photographs.

Amongst my favourite installations was Drawing Space by Korean artist Jeongmoon Choi. The simple but effective use of UV light and string created a myriad of geometric patterns that were visually striking and different from every angle.

Another outstanding contribution was Tim John’s ‘Was war gestern’ (What was yesterday). I spoke to the artist while he was creating the artwork and it was important for him to create an experience with his installation. Echoing the building’s past he has created a stage and set, complete with audience in their boxes. A number of ‘pointing fingers’ direct visitors to the interactive elements. The crank of an old gramophone, for instance, must be turned to start the show.

A fun, interactive, sensory experience this is what all exhibitions should be. The Olympus OM-D Photography Playground is open daily 11:00 to 19:00 at the Opernwerkstätten, Zinnowitzer Strasse 9, Berlin until 24 May 2013 – entry is free.

Photos From My Phone – March

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March in Berlin started with signs that spring might be on the way (though it turns out that winter wasn’t ready to hand over the baton) and I enjoyed a beer in the sun by the Spree.

White Trash Fast Food provided a couple of entertaining evenings. First, Blog ‘n’ Burger a gathering of Berlin burger lovers expertly organised by Chris Lietze.

Then, later in the month Rock ‘n’ Roll Bingo. I was even on stage for a tie-break for the final prize of €40 but couldn’t indentify Eminem quickly enough to bag the swag.

I probably had the most surreal experience of my life this month when David Hasselhoff tweeted a link to my Ohrwurm: Looking For Freedom post, urging followers to sign the Save The East Side Gallery petition. The Hoff even came to Berlin to show his support. This KITT like car was at the East Side Gallery on the day.

If this is all news to you have a look at this great video from Luci of In a Berlin Minute, including the Hoff singing Looking For Freedom.

I saw lots of great Street Art, including these pieces by .FRA and Mein Lieber Prost – I just have to find time to post about it all.

I managed to snap a quick photo of this girl in Bowie face paint at the Tram stop at Eberswalder Strasse. For more about Bowie’s association with Berlin have a look at Famous Berliners: David Bowie.

My March round-up ends as it started with booze. This time The Wild East cocktail from Stagger Lee (a great Berlin cocktail bar) – sehr lecker!

You can follow my Berlin adventures on Instagram.

The East Side Gallery – “Mr Wowereit, DON’T tear down this wall!”

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The East Side Gallery is one of Berlin’s most popular tourist attractions – a 1.3km stretch of the Berlin Wall that stands as an ‘international memorial for freedom’.

The wall running along Mühlerstrasse near the banks of the River Spree was painted with over 100 murals by a group of international artists.

On 28 February 2013 my Twitter feed was abuzz with the news that a section of the wall was to be removed so that a developer could build a block of luxury flats on the land between the wall and the river.

People reacted strongly.

A protest was organised for the following day at the Wall and thanks to those protesters the removal was halted with just a small section gone.

A larger protest was organised on the Saturday morning. Reports of the numbers present varied but official estimates put the turnout at 6,000.

A petition was started and thousands of signatures were quickly added.

On Monday morning events took a turn for the bizarre.

I woke up when my phone buzzed beside me. I had a notification of a tweet from @HildaHoy.

I blinked a few times. I pinched myself. I wasn’t dreaming.

Where do I sign? How can you tear down the wall that signifies freedom, perserverance and the sacrifice of human life andberlin.com/2013/03/03/ohr…

— David Hasselhoff (@DavidHasselhoff) March 4, 2013

David Haselhoff had somehow read a post I had written on Sunday about his song Looking For Freedom, in which I had referred to the threat to the East Side Gallery and had tweeted about it.

Later that day, David Hasselhoff wrote his own blog post about the issue and urged his fans to sign the petition.

The Hoff’s involvement was widely reported – articles appeared on the websites of The Guardian, Berliner Morgenpost and Süddeutsche. The Mädels with a Microphone made a great podcast about the protests.

And now to top it all off in an interview with HuffPost Live, David Hasselhoff has said that he would be willing to perform at the Wall to show his support.

Save East Side Gallery Petition - A computer generated image of flats at the Wall

Image: Change.org

The number of signatures on the petition to Berlin mayor, Klaus Wowereit, is now closing in on 75,000 – you can add your name to it on change.org.

To paraphrase Ronald Reagan’s famous speech, delivered at the Berlin Wall in 1987, the message is:

“Mr Wowereit, DON’T tear down this wall!”

Work at the wall has been suspended until after the issue has been discussed at a meeting of the Berlin Senate on 18 March.

The developer has how said that the section of wall was being removed to give access to a new pedestrian bridge – a replacement for the Brommybrücke, which was blown up by the Nazis as the Soviets advanced on Berlin. Klaus Wowereit has indicated that he thinks removal of the wall should be avoided if possible. Early signs are good that a suitable compromise can be reached.

It would be incredible to see The Hoff perform at the Berlin Wall and if that happens, Gilly has to be there too. And if it’s going to be perfect, we have to go to a bar on Hasselhoffstrasse (if the concert happens there has to be a street named after him) afterwards for beers, a burger and Vodka Ahojs – the man himself being present would be the icing on the cake.

Photos From My Phone – January

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The new year started with a bang – well, lots of them actually. I spent my first Silvester (New Year’s Eve) in Berlin and went to watch the fireworks at Brandenburger Tor from a side street near Potsdamer Platz. Here’s a short video:

For anyone who hasn’t experienced it, Silvester in Berlin is mental, with people launching rockets from their hands and throwing bangers at the feet of other revellers. For a bit of an insight into just how ridiculous it can be, check out this video shot in Neukölln that night:

January is the month I finally succumbed to the lure of instagram and also discovered the joys of another great new app – Untapp’d – thanks to Gilly. This is foursquare for boozing - check in your beers.

After Christmas in Cardiff and some time settling back in to my Berlin routine I was getting Currywurst withdrawal symptoms so I headed to my favourite Berlin Imbiss – zur Bratpfanne. Even standing around in freezing temperatures this is one hell of a lunch.

Popping into the Hof at Haus Schwarzenberg near Hackescher Markt I saw this sticker by Mein Lieber Prost.

I spotted this ‘TANZ’ (dance) sign from a distance as I walked along Chaussestrasse and only realised as I got close that it is on the side of the Hafen Bar, somewhere I’ve been told I have to go for the Schlager (more withdrawal symptoms since Schmankerl-Hüttn closed).

The Berliner Philharmonie (Berlin Philharmonic) looks a little bit like a cross between a circus tent and an alien spaceship.

Beelitz-Heilstätten is a former tuberculosis sanatorium and German military hospital, where amongst others, Adolf Hitler convalesced after the First World War. An hour or so from central Berlin, it has been abandoned for many years and is a popular urbex destination. Most of the buildings have been secured now and this post indicates that someone is charging curious souls for entry.

I spotted this cheeky cow when I was wandering around Kreuzberg on the day I found most of the Street Art that would feature in my MTO – Photorealistic Street Art in Berlin and Finding AliCé By Accident posts.

Berlin went Bowie mad in January after he released Where Are We Now? Read more about Bowie’s Berlin in my Famous Berliners: David Bowie post.

There was plenty of snow in Berlin in January and someone built this snow princess outside the hairdresser next to my building.

Why not follow me on instagram to keep up with my Berlin wanders – andberlinblog. And if you like a beer download Untappd and find me – andberlin.

Video Week – Berlin on Vimeo: Day 6 – Berlin Holi Open Air – Festival of Colours

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Here’s a splash of colour to start the weekend of Video Week – Berlin Holi Open Air – Festival of Colours.

In July 2012 thousands gathered outside Postbahnhof in Berlin to celebrate Holi – a Hindu Festival of Colours traditionally celebrated in spring – by throwing bags of coloured powder at each other.

Berlin Holi Open Air – Festival of Colours 2013 will be taking place on 29 June 2013. Sign up for more info on the website.

Berlin Holi Open Air – Festival of Colours

Video Week – Berlin on Vimeo: Day 5 – Stroke Urban Art Fair / Berlin 2012

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It’s Friday, it’s Day 5 of Video Week and here’s a video of Stroke Urban Art Fair 2012 in Berlin, another of my highlights of the year.

I found it hard to edit my photos of the event so it’s great to be able to share more of the inspiring art that was on display.

Keep an eye out on the website and Facebook page for announcements for Stroke Urban Art Fair 2013 in Berlin.

Stroke Urban Art Fair / Berlin 2012

Video Week – Berlin on Vimeo: Day 3 – Festival of Lights 2010 by Matthias Makarinus

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The Festival of Lights 2012 was one of my highlights of the year and on Day 3 of my Video Week, Festival of Lights 2010 by Matthias Makarinus shows just how spectacular this annual event in Berlin is.

If you’re planning a trip to Berlin in autumn, the Festival of Lights 2013 will be lighting up the city from 9 October to 20 October 2013.

Festival of Lights 2010

Christmas in Cardiff

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Christmas Pavlova with strawberries and grapes

It’s strange that a meal can be such a part of your upbringing, so much a family tradition and so culturally ingrained that it’s a surprise when someone else eats something different. That is how I feel about Christmas Dinner.

It’s even more surprising when you learn that others celebrate and exchange presents on a different day. I was surprised to learn that my German friends do their gift giving (Bescherung) on Christmas Eve (Heiligabend).

Then again, the routine in my own family has changed a little over the years.

I remember how magical Christmas seemed when I was growing up, when the anticipation, which built steadily from the opening of the first advent calendar window (with just a picture behind it, not chocolate), was almost unbearable.

Christmas Pudding with Dad Christmas Day 1981

Going to bed on Christmas Eve, often early as I remember it, I would lay my Paddington Bear pillow case at the foot of my bed to be filled by Father Christmas when he arrived.

In the morning, my brother and I would be up early, the excitement of the present opening process driving us out of bed.

We would then take our pillow cases full of presents to my Mum and Dad’s bedroom, where we would sit on the floor and tear off wrapping paper, whilst they watched for our reactions from their bed.

In our pillow case as well as our main presents there would always be: a bag of gold coins (from Marks & Spencer), an assortment of other chocolate and a satsuma and/or an apple.

Presents and an apple sat on the floor - Christmas Day 1981

Soon after the present opening was finished and still very early, my mum would go downstairs to put the turkey in the oven.

In my early years the turkey was a perk of my Dad’s job. I remember one year he came home with a bird so big that mum had to cut the legs off to even fit it in the oven.

With the lunch preparations underway we would move downstairs and play with our toys and eat chocolate – “don’t eat so many that you spoil your lunch”.

In the background, Christmas music would play. There were other albums, but the one that I will always associate with those times is Perry Como’s Christmas album.

Lunch is turkey with all the trimmings – so many trimmings in fact that my dad needs two plates.

Dad's Christmas Dinner - Turkey with all the trimmings

The turkey is stuffed with parsley and thyme and sausage meat. There are Roast potatoes and new potatoes. As if that’s not enough, there are carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, beans, parsnip and sprouts. And everything is covered in gravy.

These days, the present opening is delayed until the afternoon of Christmas Day. This is when my niece and nephew arrive. They are now the focus of the attention. The almost unbearable anticipation now is to see their faces light up as they unwrap their gifts. My excitement comes from seeing their reaction to getting something they really wanted.

Christmas Markets in Berlin – 5 Stars

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The Christmas Markets season in Berlin is well underway now and I’ve been out and about trying to sample as many as possible.

A friend recently told me that there are 60 Christmas Markets in Berlin this year. It’s no wonder then that Berlin is popular with tourists who plan holidays specifically to take in some festive cheer.

With so many markets in the city it is difficult to know which ones visit so here’s my pick of the best Christmas Markets in Berlin I’ve seen so far.

Weihnachtsmarkt Zauber Gendarmenmarkt

The Weihnachtsmarkt Zauber (Magic Christmas Market) on the Gendarmenmarkt is one of Berlin’s most popular Christmas Markets and it’s not difficult to see why.

Set between the Deutscher Dom, Konzerthaus and Französischer Dom on one of Berlin’s most picturesque squares it has many food and drink options and stalls selling decorations, craft and gifts

When I visited on a Saturday evening the market was so busy it was difficult to move at times but even on a Wednesday evening it was thronging with people.

If you have a mug of Glühwein here look out for the image of Knut (a famous Polar Bear at Berlin Zoo, sadly no longer with us) as an angel inside the lip, as pointed out to me by an eagle-eyed Digital Cosmonaut on a recent visit.

Tip: Climb the Französischer Dom (entrance fee €3) for a bird’s eye view of the market from the viewing platform.

Location, Opening Times and Prices

Gendarmenmarkt – nearest station – U Hausvogteiplatz / Stadtmitte

Every day until 31 December: 11:00 – 22:00.

€1 (Free Monday to Friday 11:00 – 14:00)

Nostalgischer Weihnachtsmarkt am Opernpalais

The Nostalgischer Weihnachtsmarkt (Nostalgic Christmas Market) at the Opernpalais was one of the busiest and most atmospheric that I visited last year in Berlin.

Unfortunately, I think its popularity has been affected by virtually being surrounded by a building site, as visitor numbers seem much lower this year based on the few visits I’ve made.

Despite this it is still an interesting setting with some great views and the market is well laid out and offers a good variety of stalls.

Hopefully, as we move closer to Christmas, the crowds, and with them the atmosphere, will return to Nostalgischer Weihnachtsmarkt am Opernpalais

Tip: Stop by the stage in the southeast corner for musical performances.

Location, Opening Times and Prices

Opernpalais (Unter den Linden) – nearest station – U Hausvogteiplatz

Monday to Thursday: 12:00 – 21: 30; Friday & Saturday: 11:00 – 22: 30; Sunday: 11:00 – 22: 30 until 26 December.

Free

Weihnachtsmarkt vor dem Schloss Charlottenburg

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Schloss Charlottenburg lit up in many colours, Weihnachtsmarkt vor dem Schloss Charlottenburg is the most impressive looking of all the Christmas Markets I’ve visited so far.

The cupola of the Schloss dominates the skyline over the market but the minaret of one food and drink stand and the Christmas Pyramid (Weihnachtspyramide) of the Deutscher Winzerglühwein stand provide interesting counterpoints.

Tip: Arrive early and take the time to stroll around the Palace Gardens or go inside Schloss Charlottenburg.

Location, Opening Times and Prices

In front of Schloss Charlottenburg (Spandauer Damm) – nearest stations – S Westend / U Richard-Wagner-Platz

Monday to Thursday: 14:00 – 22: 00; Friday to Sunday: 12:00 – 22: 00 until 26 December.

Free

Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt in der Kulturbrauerei

My favourite of favourite Berlin Christmas Markets of all those I’ve experienced this year (I haven’t been to all of them) has to be Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt at Kulturbrauerei.

Smaller and therefore more intimate than any of the other markets I’ve visited, Lucia has the best atmosphere.

Having read the Tourist Information on the market’s website I can tell you:

Named after Lucia, the Nordic goddess of light, the market is dedicated to the Scandinavian countries.

The emphasis here is on food and drink stalls, with just a few selling the usual trinkets, and it seems that it is popular as a meeting place for the local community.

As this market is behind my local supermarket I have been here on all days of the week and have yet to go without walking into the buzz and chatter of groups of friends.

Tip: If you’re feeling a little chilly look out for the ‘Coat-Open-Air-Heater’, a circle of Sheepskin coats strung around a fire. Sit down and slip your arms into a coat where it hangs – add Glühwein for added fortification against Berlin’s winter weather if needed.

Location, Opening Times and Prices

Kulturbrauerei (Schönhauser Allee / Sredzkistrasse / Knaackstrasse) – nearest station – U Eberswalder Strasse

Monday to Friday: 15:00 – 22: 00; Saturday & Sunday: 13:00 – 22: 00 until 23 December.

Free

Stattmarkt at Stattbad Wedding

If you’ve had your fill of Glühwein and Bratwurst and would like an alternative to the many traditional markets in Berlin, head out to Stattbad Wedding for Stattmarkt.

This former public baths (Stadtbad), now a gallery/club/performance space, is hosting an art market Thursday to Sunday until 16 December.

With over 300 artworks from new and established urban artists Stattmarkt at Stattbad Wedding is an opportunity to view some outstanding art in an innovative and intriguing setting.

Tip: Make sure you check out the outside of the building too as this is a popular spot for Street Artists.

Location, Opening Times and Prices

Stattbad Wedding (Gerichtstrasse 65) – nearest station: S + U Wedding.

Thursday to Sunday: 12:00 – 19:00 until 16 December.

€5 (€3 concessions).

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Category Archives: Events & Festivals

Berlin Summer Rave 2013

Olympus OM-D Photography Playground at the Opernwerkstätten Berlin

Photos From My Phone – March

The East Side Gallery – “Mr Wowereit, DON’T tear down this wall!”

Photos From My Phone – January

Video Week – Berlin on Vimeo: Day 6 – Berlin Holi Open Air – Festival of Colours

Video Week – Berlin on Vimeo: Day 5 – Stroke Urban Art Fair / Berlin 2012

Video Week – Berlin on Vimeo: Day 3 – Festival of Lights 2010 by Matthias Makarinus

Christmas in Cardiff

Christmas Markets in Berlin – 5 Stars

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