2023-06-23 14:39:22
Neukölln has been considered one of the coolest districts in the world for several years, attracting tourists and young people. 25 years ago it was completely different. At that time, Neukölln was considered the end of the line, people didn’t like to say that they lived here. What you can no longer imagine today: the rents were low, there were lots of empty apartments, and apart from a few corner pubs for the locals, there was nothing where you could and didn’t want to go out, not even on Weserstraße, the today in the travel guides as watering hole advertised, which points to the density of bars in this nightlife district.
Neukölln was out, but there were people at the time who wanted to change something about it. A network of artists was founded, the head of the cultural office went along with it, and the festival took place for the first time in 1999. Today it is the largest festival of the independent scene that Berlin has to offer. More than 1200 artists take part, there are 350 art events, exhibitions, installations, concerts, performances, interactive workshops, guided tours and around 300 venues in Neukölln are involved, including galleries, bars, late night shops, industrial halls, theatres, a cemetery chapel and also the terrace of the Neuköllner Opera. At 48 hours Neukölln you get to places that are otherwise closed to you all year round: artists’ studios, backyards and even apartments. Almost 100 projects take place outside, the festival theme is “Play(ground)”. Because this offer can easily overwhelm you, we have selected five highlights here.
“Animal Architects”: Building a nest together
Sometimes hands-on installations are best – as is the case with 48 hours Neukölln at the Körnerpark.Christy Langer
Wool, cord and fabric are provided for this participatory installation on Jonasstraße at the Körnerpark. The Canadian artist Christy Langer, who has lived in Berlin since 2013, was inspired by birds, spiders and mammals, all animals that build nests. The idea is that everyone who takes part creates a collective installation within these 48 hours. There is no minimum or maximum time to participate, it’s a game.
Jonasstrasse am grain park, Fri (June 23) 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sat (June 24) 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sun (June 25) 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“At a ‘Talabaşı’ afternoon”: Anatolian songs from the balcony of the Neukölln Opera
Interprets Anatolian folk songs and poems: the choir named X-Berg Kiz Meslek Korosu.Emrah Goekmen
Tarlabaşı is a neighborhood in Istanbul that has something in common with Neukölln in that it too has been gentrified in recent years. The event with this name consists of a performance of traditional Anatolian songs from the balcony of the Neuköllner Oper (Karl-Marx-Straße 131), is a homage to the vanished part of the city. Called X-Berg Kiz Meslek Korosu, the choir is led by queer artist Emrah Gökmen. It currently consists of twelve people and defines itself as an anti-fascist, queer, and feminist unit. “With our performance we want to set an example for diversity, solidarity and intersectionality and show how art brings these elements into everyday life.”
Balcony of the Neukölln Opera, Karl-Marx-Strasse 131, Fri (June 23) 7 to 8 p.m., Sun (June 25) 6 to 7 p.m
“Meet Blind Photographers” in the Neukölln-Arcarden
Light painting with models can also be tried out at 48 hours Neukölln in the darkroom of the Neukölln Arcaden.48-hours-neukoelln
In the ancient Sophocles material (e.g. in the adaptation of Sophocles) Tiresias, the seer, is blind. But not only does this acquire a deeper meaning on the mythical level, no, even in our demystified normal life, blind people can even take photographs. The blind photographers in Schöneberg can sing a song about it – or take a picture of it?
In any case, in the very unmythical Neukölln arcades, the Neukölln variant of an American shopping mall, all kinds of participatory projects are planned for 48 hours Neukölln, which will link the world of the sighted and the world of the “blind”. All this under the motto “Meet Blind Photographers”. What role do the senses of touch and hearing, visual memory and visual imagination play? One can look forward to the workshops in the “darkroom” of the arcades.
Neukölln arcades, Karl-Marx-Strasse 66, Fri (June 23) 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sat (June 24) 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m
“Ghetto Wrestling” in the Oyoun Cultural Center
Wrestling is fun – especially if you don’t take it too seriously, like at “Ghetto Wrestling” in Neukölln.Oyoun/48H NEUKÖLLN
People dress up weird, give each other fantasy names and fantasy superpowers and then go for each other’s throats, but don’t worry, it’s all for show! Crazy thing, this wrestling. That you can also get camp and queerness out of it with a little ease, that’s for sure “Ghetto Wrestling” at Oyoun: a queer wrestling comedy show. To participate!
Everything you need: Basic knowledge of English. Wrestling name, wrestling persona. So preferably a costume and a little backstory about your own wrestling character. But don’t worry: no prior knowledge of wrestling is required. Still sounds pretty adventurous. Just like Neukölln itself.
Oyoun-Kulturzentrum, Lucy-Lameck-Strasse 32, Sun (June 25) 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m
Closing party at the Global Village site
Will it be psychedelic at the end of the 48 hour Neukölln festival in the Berlin Global Village?48-hours-neukoelln
At the end of 48 hours in Neukölln, you’re always amazed at how quickly 48 hours pass. Somehow faster than a normal weekend! Sure, you’ve experienced a lot, but then you get a little nostalgic that the festival is already coming to an end.
Best plan against gloom: Take the closing party with you, including live music and audiovisual installations – which also celebrates the start of Berlin’s summer of culture. So go straight on with the culture for a whole summer. Good that we are in Berlin.
Berlin Global Village, Am Sudhaus 2, Sun (June 25) 2 p.m. to 10 p.m
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