Berlin Stories

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Activists Occupy Oranienplatz

A protest encampment has been set up at Berlin’s Oranienplatz from 1 March to the end of the month. Self-organized and led by activists advocating for refugee rights and climate justice, the camp continues Oranienplatz’s long-standing legacy as a symbol of resistance. In response to current developments in migration politics and increased deportations by the German government, Oranienplatz has once again become a hub for mobilization against colonial and racist structures. Despite heavy police repression and attempts to prohibit the political occupation of the square, the activists remain steadfast. They have also issued several demands including the abolition of residency requirements, the closure of all refugee camps, and an immediate stop to deportations. You can stop by Oranienplatz to support their cause. The camp also hosts daily events including talks, workshops, and discussions, as well as a communal kitchen providing food and drinks.

Low End Therapy Open Call

Low End Therapy Records is a Berlin-based record label focused on all things bass with a leftfield flavour and is accepting applications for its upcoming artist development program. If you’re a Berlin-based FLINTA producer, vocalist, or instrumentalist in the bass music scene looking to expand your sound and community, check out their program here, including artist talks, meet-ups, recording studio time, and a listening party to showcase your work. The event will run from April to July. Apply here before 30 March.

Solidary for No Borders Fundraiser

Help Raise Funds for the Humanitarian Crisis on the Poland/Belarus Border. Since 2021, Polish authorities have been unlawfully and violently pushing migrants and asylum seekers back to Belarus, where they face serious abuses. Learn more about the conflict and ways to navigate it through discussions with border activists, and more about Polish culture through food and the art sale. All proceeds of this event go to “Hola Hola”, a collective activist group part of Grupa Granica, A network of Polish human rights organizations assisting refugees and migrants at the Poland-Belarus border, supporting people on the move with water, nutritious food, medical & legal assistance, dry and warm clothes, footwear, and other necessities. The event will take place at MaHalle from 18:00 on 23 March. More info here. Donate here.

**Share Iftar & Support Inter* Friends in Gaza**

Help raise funds for Billy - a Gazan inter person from 18:00 on Thursday 20 March at Soli Iftar and celebrate Nowrooz, hosted by our lovely neighbour K-Fetisch. Welcome Spring and the Persian and Kurdish New Year with a dinner served at 18:21 to honour Ramadan in the community. Donations are welcomed ranging from 8-12 € (but no one will be turned away if there are lack of funds). K-Fetisch is wheelchair accessible. More info here.

Exhibition “Activist Choreographies of Care”

The Perforated International Artists Residency (PIAR) team is organizing an exhibition in Berlin. Based in Kumasi, Ghana, pIAR is a self-organized safer space for queer people in Ghana, whose lives are increasingly under threat. Titled, “Activist Choreographies of Care”, the exhibition opens on 28 March at 18:00 at nGbK and runs until 1 June. The multi-disciplinary showcase features archival and contemporary creative works, performances, installations, films, and poetry. All works are dedicated to dismantling colonial legacies and uncovering queer histories.

Assila Beer Mental Health Workshops

Join Assila Beer and Adira for some community support, and learn tools to process the current political happenings. There will be guided discussions with Omar Nicolas, a mental health professional specializing in supporting BIPOC/Queer individuals, that touch on navigating conflict and discrimination in light of recent political events, and with tools and strategies to help you tackle how to navigate racialized and gendered discrimination. Learn about the power of dance and somatic healing with Ahmad Baba, artist, and dance movement therapist. Come have a drink and chat at Ringbar from 19:00 on 26 March. Grab your tickets here; (Instagram DM if you would like to attend but cannot afford it). More info here.

Protest in Solidarity with Congo

The eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Goma and Bukavu, have been subjected to relentless violence by the M23 rebel forces and the Rwandan military. In recent weeks, over 7.000 people have been reported killed, while large tech companies continue to profit from the exploitation of cheap labour under inhumane conditions. On 22 March, a demonstration will take place in Berlin to raise awareness of the ongoing crisis in the DRC. The walking protest will begin at 13:00 from S-Bahn Friedrichstraße and conclude at the EU Parliament.

Solawi and Community Agriculture

Nettles and Poppies is a queer feminist community “cooking and planting in the ruins of capitalism.” Become part of the Solawi Community and receive weekly deliveries of lovely herbs and flowers from June to October to help combat new AFD policies of monoculture farming. With each weekly delivery, you will receive stories about their cultural importance and recipes-a great opportunity to reclaim your connection to nature. Donations will go to turning an old guesthouse in Brandenburg into their new ecological farm to refuge insects, birds, reptiles, and other small creatures, but also to people looking for a place to complot and organize from. Nettles and Poppies also donate to other community organizations in the field, if you know any fitting, feel free to reach out. Learn more about Nettles and Poppies and the ecofeminist movement here.

Fundraising Pop-Up for Palestine

Pop by Backhaus on Wednesday 26 March for some poetry readings featuring Palestinian artists Refaat Al-Areer, Fady Joudah, Hiba Abu Nada, etc. There will also be selected clothing as well as an archive poetry sale to raise funds for Operation Olive Branch. The event is curated and hosted by Laura Øyen Didriksen and Stella Wein. Join them for drinks and vibes. More info here!

Fundraising & Mycelium Workshop

Learn about mycelium, sustainable building with fungi, and how to grow mushrooms at home. Walk away with an oyster mushroom grow kit and knowledge of the fungi world – the core connector of our ecosystem. All proceeds will go toward fundraising for Studio_nagelneu, a community space in Neukölln for sustainable practices, knowledge sharing, and community engagement for the past two years, hosting workshops and exhibitions. Because of the recent cultural budget cuts, the Studio’s funding ended in February, and is reaching out to the community for future funding to keep the space running. Donate here. The expenses are 1500€ per month and include rent, materials, and coordination. The event will take place at Studio_nagelneu from 15:00-16:30 on 22 March. Film rec here. Event info here. Donate here.

Schlafplatz Orga is Looking for Hosts

Schalfplatz Orga is looking for people to host refugees in need of housing in Berlin. In February they were only able to provide temporary accommodation to 4 out of 16 people. If you have an extra room or space to host someone, please reach out to them. Currently, they are urgently looking for accommodation for a queer man, who cannot stay at the group shelter. If you are interested, send them an email. Donations are also welcome.

Rap 4 Revolution

The Barcelona-based event series Rap 4 Revolution is coming to Berlin on 21 March. Taking place at Xara Beach, the Berlin edition of the Hip-hop series will feature several underground rap artists from Barcelona alongside talent from the Berlin rap scene. Artists like Enana, Gündalein, and Yule will perform, and you can join an open mic or watch Graffiti artists and breakdancers in action. Rap 4 Revolution Berlin starts at 19:00, and tickets are 10€.