Berlin Gallery Weekend & opening of the 7th Berlin Biennale, Various Venues, Various Times.
The art scene is due to explode this weekend with two of the largest events the Berlin visual art sector has to offer. Berlin Gallery Weekend kicks off the spring season with 51 galleries featuring 51 openings stretched over 3 days and nights. The event focuses mainly commercial galleries of the city but makes it possible to stroll through 15-20 openings in one go. Exhibited artists include international heavyweights like land artist Richard Long and photographer Diane Arbus, and there are various readings and presentations too.
The other big bang is the start of the much-anticipated 7th Berlin Biennale. With an emphasis on social activism and politics examined through art, it will offer a scattering of events, exhibitions and culture questioning throughout the city. The curators are the provocative and whistle-blowing team of Artur Żmijewski and Joanna Warsza, joined by the Russian blacklisted, prankster performance group Voina (which in English translates to war). Highlights include Maciej Mielecki’s re-enactment of the Battle of Berlin 1945 and a performance (in Spanish) by street musicians from the Mexican border city of Juárez. See respective websites for more info on specific exhibitions, locations, admission prices and more. Rebecca Loyche
8th Annual Köpenicker Winzerfest, Altstadt Köpenick & Schlossinsel, Friday 2pm, Saturday and Sunday 12 pm
This may come as a shock, but there’s more to the Berlin drinking scene than just beer festivals. This weekend, the historical Altstadt Köpenick is celebrating its 8th annual wine maker’s festival. Sit back on the beautiful Schloss island, surrounded by the waters of the Dahme and Müggelspree, grab a glass of wine, and soak in an interesting quarter of Berlin that, chances are, you’ve never really visited before.
Representatives from over 30 different wineries in Germany, France, and Austria will be present to showcase their tasty wine concoctions. There’ll be food, of course, as well as craft and jewellery stalls, and some entertainment for the kids. There’ll also be three stages spread out throughout the island and the old quarter, with a plethora of different artists performing.
To kick off the weekend, the German Wine Princess (yes, there’s a Wine Princess), Elisabeth Born, will be making an appearance on the island at 6pm on Friday. Tam Eastley
Altstadt Köpenick & Schlossinsel, 12555 Berlin. 030 655 75 50/51, S Bahn Spindlersfeld. Admission: free.
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