Berlin Stories

Fête de la Musique

Each year, Fête de la Musique presents an evening of free live music in venues across Berlin. This year it takes place on 21 June. Refuge regulars Sonic Interventions, who spoke out against genocide in their Deutscher Jazz Preis 2025 win last week, will perform at Zenner among artists like the DJ Shaqdi, Heart Chor choir project, and multi-instrumentalist Romainazzaro. The Berlin-based ensemble brings together musicians from various disciplines to create genre-defying and improvisation-driven soundscapes. On the same day, the bar Geist im Glas will host a live music line-up with several artists, including the Berlin Jazz Workshop, Balkan grooves by Neobraska Mountain K-Orchestra #942, and a vinyl-only DJ set by George Ernest. You can find more information and the full Fête de la Musique program here.

United for Gaza demo

On 21 June, a mass demonstration in solidarity with Palestine will take place. This is a call to action for an immediate end to Germany’s support of genocide, apartheid, and occupation in Palestine, as well as the decriminalisation of pro-Palestinian organisations and individuals. The protest starts at Brandenburg Gate from 15:00 and is organised by activist groups such as PA Allies, Student Coalition Berlin, and Egyptian Diaspora Resists. Wear red, bring your banners; none of us is free until all of us are free. To take further action, you can also sign this petition to urge the German government to reverse the funding ban on NGOs operating in solidarity with Palestine. 

As well, this is also a call to action against Israel’s continuous violation of international law; namely, Israel’s recent attacks on Iran via the launching of multiple missiles, with Iran striking back in response. German Chancellor Merz defends Israel in this attack, stating that it was 'dirty work Israel is doing for all of us' in Iran, completely disregarding Iranian lives, where the death toll has risen to more than 240, including 70 women and children, with this statement.

Budapest pride soli party at FilmArche 

On 21 June, Freie Ungarische Botschaft (free Hungarian embassy) is throwing a solidarity party for Budapest Pride, which has effectively been banned this year due to intense repression by the right-wing Hungarian government. Starting at 19:00 at filmArche, the event includes a screening of the film “Narrow Path to Happiness”, which is about queer life in Hungary, two dancefloors, snacks and the opportunity to get tattooed. Proceeds will go toward legal aid, support with fines (people partaking in any pride protest-related activities can be fined up to 500€). The funds will also help finance buses to Budapest for those wanting to join those resisting anti-LGBTQIA+ repression on 28 June.

Migrantifa soli kieztag

On 28 June, the Berlin-based activist group Migrantifa Berlin is hosting a neighbourhood solidarity event starting at 14:00 at Neukölln’s Rote Lilly. The aim is to raise funds to sustain anti-racist work and resistance and to support spaces of resistance like the leftist cafe and event space Rote Lilly. All day, there will be Küfa refreshing watermelon drinks, a creative program, and space to connect and learn about Migrantifa’s work. You can also join a round of bingo and listen to live music acts.

Afrolution Festival

From 19-22 June, Afrolution Festival will take place across various venues in Berlin. The festival is run by Each One Teach One (EOTO) eV, a Berlin-based and community-focused organisation that promotes educational and empowerment tools for people of African descent. Across the 4 days, the Afrolution Culture and Literature Festival will host various workshops, panel talks, parties, and events across the disciplines. The theme of this year will be “Transnational [Re]Imaginings of Resistance & Resilience”. The majority of the festival will be held at EOTO’s community space, as well as venues across Berlin, including Sinema Transtopia, Galerie, Ayoka Bar, and more. The program includes panel talks with various authors, filmmakers, and activists, as well as workshops in film, fashion, dance, illustration, the culinary arts, self-care, and meditation. For those with children, there are also family programs for childcare. The festival will round off with a closing party at Ayoka Bar. More info here.

Sinema Transtopia open-air season

The open-air cinema season is officially here. Throughout the summer, Sinema Transtopia is screening several films and inviting to events like performances and talks. On 21 June, they will show “The Watermelon Woman” by Cheryl Dunye, a groundbreaking portrayal of Black lesbian identity. On 28 June, in collaboration with HKW, journalist and writer Mohamed Amjahid will give a talk followed by screenings of the films “La Haine” and “Généalogie de la violence”. Check out the full open-air program here and support your local cinema, especially as Sinema Transtopia has also been affected by the severe cultural budget cuts made by the German state this year.

Justice for Lorenz action day

The Initiative Gerechtigkeit für Lorenz (Justice for Lorenz) was formed after the 21-year-old Black man Lorenz A. was shot and killed by police in Oldenburg in April. The initiative is calling for a Germany-wide day of action against racist police violence on 29 June. Follow them on Instagram to stay informed and check for events or protests in your area.

Fundraiser for PCRF

On 26 June, Refuge’s Niemetzstraße 1 Location is organising a fundraiser concert in support of the Palestinian Children Relief Fund (PCRF), an NGO providing humanitarian aid to children and youth in Palestine. The event “Metales Ligeros” merges Georgian chants with harp, violin and contemporary sound design. The immersive experience bends the tradition of classical instruments, creating emotionally raw soundscapes. The concert begins at 19:00. Find out more here.

Soli dinner at K-Fetisch

On 29 June, Oona-neighbour K-Fetisch is inviting to a vegan and gluten-free soli dinner raising funds for a trans person of colour and a refugee. The artist @tears.and.hearts will cook one of their favourite Iranian dishes called Khoresh Bademjan. Dinner will be served from 19:00 at Wildenbruchstraße 86.

Midwifery contract petition

On 2 April, the new midwifery assistance agreement was made. Starting November 2025, freelance midwives, who currently account for 25% of all births in Germany, are subject to losing up to 30% of their income, cutting their hourly wage by 20%. In addition, for the care of the second or third mother, the wage is additionally cut to 30% of the already reduced rate. This agreement not only puts the midwives at risk of financial instability, but the quality, safety, and livelihood of obstetric care for mothers and their families. The practice of midwifery dates back thousands of years, present in cultures all over the world. Midwives play a vital role in not just the reception of birth. In the modern day, midwives have an irreplaceable responsibility of guidance outside of institutional birthing practices for families, providing compassionate guidance in both pre- and postpartum to mothers. Sign the petition to preserve safe, individualised obstetric care and stop the new midwifery contract here. 

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Photos courtesy of Sonic Interventions, Sinema Transtopia, and K-Fetisch.