‘Family’ Archives
Berlin’s GDR Museum
John Feffer explores the split personality of Berlin's GDR Museum... The GDR Museum in Berlin is actually two museums in one. And these two parts, both devoted to everyday life in the German Democratic Republic, subtly contradict one another. That might not have been the intention of the museum founders. But this tension actually captures the ambiguities of East Germany and the ambivalence that many Germans feel today about the erstwhile communist state. The experience inside the main [...]
Berlin Plants
Berlin Plants give a heads up on some of the city's urban foliage... Visitors to Berlin are bound to discover the multifaceted nature of the city, which openly manifests itself in the architectural imprints of its recent divided history and the thriving nocturnal hipster scene. Summer visitors might also be struck by the lushness of its green spaces and impressive tally of nearly half a million trees – not to mention the abundance of other plants and shrubs springing up in between [...]
Treptower Park
Tam Eastley takes a leisurely stroll around one of Berlin's most fascinating parks... In the immortal words of a close friend: “Treptower Park is full of treasures.” But the first time I visited, five years ago, I didn't venture more than a couple hundred metres past the S Bahn exit. I lay on the grass among the cement ping pong tables, the 20-somethings chilling on blankets Berlin-style with their cases of beer, far, far away from the grills spewing their grey meat-scented [...]
A Celebration Of Creativity, Culture & Cuisine in Berlin: Photo Gallery
Well that was one busy, crazy, wonderful day. We were blown away by the turn out, the great atmosphere, and the quality of all aspects of the event, from the workshops and music to the literature lounge and food stalls. Thanks so much to everyone that came - it was great to put so many faces to names and meet people in person. Thanks also to the Markthalle IX for letting us use their fantastic venue. We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. Feel free to leave any feedback in the [...]
Markthalle IX Event Program
OUTSIDE Architecture Tour 4pm-6pm Starts: Markthalle IX Ends: Markthalle IX Contact: Jim Hudson Status: FULL Christopher Isherwood Tour 11am-12pm Starts: Nollendorfplatz, Schöneberg Ends: Nollendorfplatz, Schöneberg Contact: Brendan Nash Status: FULL Context Cold Wall Tour x 2 9am-12pm Starts: Various Ends: Various Contact: Paul Bennett Status: FULL Hidden Path “Street Art” Tour 10am-12pm Starts: Goerlitzer Bahnhof (in front of the Kiosk, when you leave [...]
Easter in Berlin 2012
Tam Eastley rounds up some Easter activities in Berlin... It's Easter! And in Berlin that means a couple of things. First: it's essential that you go grocery shopping right away. Grocery stores are closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. So stock up, or be prepared to live off chocolate bunnies and eggs all weekend long. Second: there's a wealth of exciting traditional activities taking place in and around Berlin. There's something for everyone whether you just want to [...]
Dickes Bee
Tam Eastley goes behind the scenes at Berlin food co-operative Dickes Bee... You can tell when someone's passionate about what they do when it takes over their life and their home. Last month, when the Dickes Bee Food Cooperative had to leave their secret cafe cellar space due to conflicts of interest, it was temporarily moved into the hallway the group's founder, Kathryn Werntz, or “Kap.” Laid out on the floor of her beautiful Altbau apartment in Wedding were crates of apples, [...]
In search of Rixdorf
Paul Scraton explores trendy Neukölln's old heart... It is a grey day in Berlin, which makes the Sonnenallee feel all the more gloomy. I am meeting my friend and Neukölln resident Julia at her apartment so she can show me the way to Rixdorf, an old village that still - just about - exists within the confines of the S-Bahn ring despite being swallowed by the city over a hundred years ago. As we walk south, away from Hermannplatz, there is not much in our surroundings that suggests [...]
Natur-Park Schöneberger Südgelände
The snappily-titled Natur-Park Schöneberger Südgelände is a not-so-well-known 18-hectare urban park at the southern end of Schöneberg. The park has blossomed from the ruins of an old railway hub that was built in the 1890s, and which for 70 years operated as one of the city's busiest (including during WWII). The area was closed and abandoned following the division of the city and nature slowly began to work its magic, reclaiming the old crumbling administrative buildings and rotting [...]
Berlin’s Best Christmas Markets
Ruth Michaelson profiles the best Christmas Markets in Berlin for 2011... The temperature has gone sub-zero and anything you plan on consuming had better taste of cinnamon or come mit Schuss. With Berlin playing host to over sixty Christmas markets annually, there’s no shortage of places for you to get your fix of Lebkuchen and gifts in the frosty open air… Best Of The Big Hitters Gendarmenmarkt The sparkliest of them all, lit with all the double-Dom grandeur you’d expect [...]
