Berlin Stories

No Surrender — Keep the Flame Burning demo 

25 November marks a day of commemoration for the Mirabal sisters: Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa — revolutionary activists of the Dominican Republic who dedicated their lives to standing up against the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. The sisters, who had grown up in the time of his regime and fought for the country’s liberation, were assassinated in 1960. They remain martyrs of not only the revolution but for standing against fascist oppression, imperialism, and colonialism.

A demonstration will take place at Schlesisches Tor from 17:00, organised by Ulm5 and the Student Coalition to honour those who have been persecuted, imprisoned, and oppressed for their actions toward our collective liberation.

Fundraiser for Darfur & Trans Refugee Women

In solidarity with those at the heart of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Diaspora Rising hosts a fundraiser this Sunday 16 November from 16:00 to 21:00 to raise awareness and support those at the frontlines of war and those who have been displaced.

On 12 November, the United Nations migration agency called for a ceasefire in an effort to aid tens of thousands civilians, currently trapped in El-Fashur, the capital of the Darfur region in Sudan. Since 2023 at the start of the conflict escalation, there have been several massacres inflicted by the Sudanese Armed Forces, with more than 90,000 displaced from their homes.

Come down to bUm Berlin on Sunday to support those in need, with all funds raised directly going toward Sudanese community-led organisations providing services on the frontlines. As well, funds will be supporting 6 trans women who live in South Sudan's Gorem Refugee camp. There will be panel talks, performances, open mic, market stalls, and food all evening. If you cannot make it to the event, please consider donating through other means. All eyes, and hearts, on Dafur. More info here.

Berlin United for Jamaica Hurricane Melissa fundraiser

On 20 November, Badehaus hosts an evening of art and music to raise funds for Hurricane Melissa, a category five storm that made devastating impacts on the Caribbean coast last month. Currently, a large part of the country still has no access to drinking water or electricity, which, in turn, affects food, rescue aid, healthcare, etc. All funds raised will go to HELP Jamaica!, an organisation raising direct funds to rebuild a school in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Funds raised will also help provide psychological support and pastoral care for its students. The evening will feature DJ sets from Roots Daughters, Soundquake, Barney Millah and more, who will share their reggaeton and funk/soul soundscapes. As well, live performances will accompany the evening, featuring artists such as Crazy Hype (Ja), Soultrain, and Yugotaguchi. 

Although a natural disaster, these extreme weather patterns are also a direct result of decades of colonial extraction, specifically by corporate fossil fuel companies that continue to extract and burn non-renewable resources — coal, oil, and natural gas — from the area.  If you are unable to attend, please consider supporting in other ways, such as donating to these direct relief funds. Learn more here.   

Threads of Liberation

Come by Refuge at Niemetzstraße 1 this Saturday for the second edition of Threads of Liberation, a day of fundraising, music, art, and talks in solidarity with Palestine, Sudan, and Congo. After the success and energy from the last edition back in September, Refuge partners again with Birdhouse Berlin for the second round of Threads of Liberation, this time including poetry readings with Sara Musso, Mazen Safadi, and more. The day’s colourful programming reflects the intention of Threads of Liberation to expand the practice of protest to encompass collective joy as an act of resistance — a notion that has become increasingly important amid the oppression and injustice the world continues to experience.

Performances include Palestinian singer-songwriter Malak on Earth, singer and saxophonist Uwineza, and more, plus art exhibitions by ecological Palestinian artists Safa Creates, Water and Seeds, and more. Lastly, there will also be a market and Tatreez workshop hosted by Juthouri. Throughout the day, Arabic cuisine will be served courtesy of Birdhouse Berlin. Come by Saturday to weave the collective thread toward liberation in joy and solidarity! More info here. 

No-Border Café! 

Join Abolish Frontext for No-Border Café to hang-out and learn about political discourse concerning state borders. From 13:00 to 17:00, there will be cosy drinks, snacks, and crafts. In addition, this time round, Abolish Frontext invites Innah, a specialist in narrative change, strategic communications, and corporate campaigns at the intersection of migrant justice, climate justice, and the border and surveillance industry. At 14:00, Innah will present on the topic: “How do we change the story of the border to the real villains?” Following that, the community will have a chance to discuss strategies or campaigns against border profiteers. Learn more about border justice with a cosy drink in hand - more info here. 

The November Revolution walking tour 

Next Tuesday, the 18 November, Revolutionary Berlin will host a historical walking tour focusing on 1918-1919, visiting significant landmarks across the city where figures like Rosa Luxemburg, Karl Liebknecht, and others changed the course of German history.

More info here. 

People Against Genocide demo 

As the genocide continues, and Israel and its allies persist in violating ceasefire agreements, protest in solidarity with Palestinian friends and allies on Saturday, 15 November at Platz de 18. Marz.

The demonstration will start at 12:00. This gathering is organised by Peacefully Against Genocide, Demo Ticker Berlin Collective, and Palestine Demos Germany. Take care of your friends and stay safe! More info here.

Raise funds for queer Palestinian friend 

Help out a friend in need by contributing to raise funds to sustain their financial stability. For privacy reasons, their personal information is kept private, but they have reached out with this message: 

I’d like to keep my personal information private, but I’m reaching out for help to cover essential costs — including insurance, living expenses, and study fees. Right now, I have no savings and am facing severe debt. 

Last year, I lost my job because of my Palestinian identity, and since then, finding new employment has been extremely difficult. Despite the challenges, I refuse to stay silent about my people or the injustices we face under capitalism.

In addition to my daily living expenses, I also face ongoing costs related to repression due to my activism.

Donate here. 

Soy&Synth annual discourse over hotpot & karaoke 

On 21 November, Soy&Synth, a collective that supports emerging BIPOC artists with a focus on experimental and improvisational music, invites the community to their annual round-up over hot pot and karaoke. This year’s theme is ‘Fracturing Foundations’, and the programming reflects Soy&Synth’s sonic journey over the past year. Those attending are encouraged to bring 1-3 ingredients to share for the hotpot and to open their voices and ears for the karaoke taking place after dinner. The event will take place at Moving Poets Novella starting at 19:30. More info here. 

Fundraiser bazaar – celebrating Palestinian culture

Across three days this weekend from 14-16 November, pop by Vetomat to celebrate Palestinian culture with live music, Palestinian food, film screenings, and a DIY t-shirt screen printing booth. In these times, the organisations PA Allies, Cedar Voices Berlin, Palestine Speaks, Zora, and Young Struggle Berlin North come together to create a space to enjoy Palestinian culture and learn from one another. All funds raised in this event will be allocated to a camp in Gaza, families in Southern Lebanon, and 3ezwa. This organisation provides legal support for pro-Palestinian activists who the German State has persecuted for their solidarity efforts. More info here. 

Spore Initiative Kurdish Music Collective workshop 

This Saturday, Kurdish Music Collective will host another workshop (on 15 November) at Spore Initiative for all things Kurdish Music: movement, song-writing, experimentation, sharing, and revisiting nostalgia. As an ongoing series in partnership with Spore and Music for Identity, the project aims to provide equal access to Kurdish music here in Berlin through cultivating community and participatory workshops. The workshop is free to attend and open to all aged 14 or older, regardless of musical experience or cultural background. If you cannot make this session but are interested in attending, the ongoing series occurs twice a month until the end of the year. To register or for more details, click here. 

Feminist Dance Histories of Kathak & fundraiser  

From 18:00-20:30 (also 15 November), Spore will host Choreographies of Erasure, a workshop sharing knowledge on Kathak, the ancient Indian dance of the hands. In Kathak, narratives are constructed through movement in the hands, externalised in elegant dance. In this workshop, facilitator, interdisciplinary artist, and Kathak practitioner Ghazal Ramzani will perform a dance, followed by an artist talk as part of their ongoing project Choreographies of Erasure, which researches contemporary Kathak as a medium to decolonise, de-brahmanize, and re-imagine by revisiting and re-embodying its feminist legacies, which have been historically erased from dominant narratives. After the workshop, the gathering will continue with a dinner to raise funds for Sudan. More info here. 

Afrikamera Cinema Transtopia: Namibia Focus 

On 19 November, come down to Cinema Transtopia for AFRIKAMERA’s programming of Windhoek Shorts. AFRIKAMERA is a Berlin-based film organisation that aims to share diverse, inspiring, and groundbreaking narratives on past, present, and future socio-political issues that continue to affect the African continent. This series is curated by Namibian filmmaker Joel Haikali and features short- to medium-length films centring on Namibia, as well as narratives about Namibia’s colonial history and its present-day impacts. Films like the anti-apartheid documentary Image Restitution will be screened, as will SORRY For The Genocide, which tells of the present-day realities of Namibia-Germany reconciliation efforts. Doors open at 17:00, and the event is free. More info here. 

Linoleum printing workshop 

Come by bUm Berlin on 23 November to learn about linoleum printing as a tool for artistic and political expression. Multidisciplinary artist Elif Çelik facilitates the workshop, and participants will have the opportunity to experiment with designing and printing their own postcards using Palestinian motifs to express belonging, self-assurance, and resistance to oppression. According to Elif, the art of linoleum carving is a metaphor for the intention to create as a form of resistance and self-expression, as what is cut out of the linoleum creates an imprint – metaphors of visibility and loss. More info here.  

Gaza fundraiser open call for artworks

The weekend of 13-14 December, Officiana Kreuzberg will host a fundraiser for a family in Gaza, and is looking for artists who would like to sell their work. Artworks to be considered can be anything from prints and zines to t-shirts and accessories. Artists are encouraged to submit their work across the disciplines as they see fit for the event.

All funds raised will support Nareeman’s family in Gaza, 3ezwa, and Al-Jawad-Camp, an organisation providing free education camps for displaced children in Gaza. You can also donate to Nareeman’s family here. Submissions are to be sent to prints4pals@proton.me by 05 December. More info here. 

Clothing Donation Open Call

Rise Foundation Berlin is organising a donation drive to support those in need ahead of the fast-approaching winter months. If you have men’s or gender-fluid clothing to spare, such as jackets, sweaters, layers, shoes, or other winter items, the drop-in time is open on 16 November from 10:00 to 13:00 in Neukölln. Every donation counts! More info here. 

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Photos courtesy of Kurdish Music Collective and SORRY for the Genocide. All photos under Creative Commons license.

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