Berlin Stories | 21-27 March

Protests, parties, panels and more.

Reading & panel: On 21 March Nebojša Marković Vonplon will do a performative reading of texts from the story collection “Erinnern an eine Zukunft” to be published later this year. The event is part of Romnja* Power Month organised by RomaniPhen. The stories about collective memory and resistance will be accompanied by cellist Merle Weißbach. Head to Theater an der Parkaue at 18:00.

Demo: As well as the New Year celebration of many communities across East and Central Asia, Newroz is also a day of resistance against injustice and persecution for Kurdish people. Join a demo on 21 March at from 19:30, Gesundbrunnen.

Petition: In February of this year, the Berlin Senate has proposed the reintroduction of exmatriculations at universities as a regulatory measure to discourage undesirable behaviour of students. This would increase the repressive environment at universities and endanger political and dissident student voices, especially affecting marginalised students and those dependent on student status for residency permits. Hands off Student Rights have started a petition to stop political exarticulations. You can read more about it and sign it here.

Newroz celebration and fundraiser: On 22 March, Spore Initiative is hosting a Newroz event with music and dance performances. Palestinian and Kurdish food will be served, and the revenue will be donated to support the evacuation and living costs of families in Gaza. The event starts at 16:30.

Demo: On 23 March there is a protest in solidarity with the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country dealing with the mass displacement of 7 million people, humanitarian crisis, and a system of modern slavery in the country’s cobalt and copper mines affecting tens of thousands of adults and children. The demo starts at 13:00 from Wilhelmstrasse 77.

Panel and performances: Head to Emergent Spaces on 23 March for a panel on transnational solidarity between pro-Palestinian student movements, and performances from Sarah Zeryab (above), Mudar Al-Khufash and more. DM here for the location.

Discussion, market & performances: Celebrate Newroz at Haus der Statistik  on 23 March with panels, speeches, a market and live performances of music, dance and traditional practices. Entrance fees and market proceeds will be donated to support a variety of projects in Afghanistan including three illegal underground schools for girls and women.

Iftar: On 24 March Queer Iftar Berlin is organising a collective Iftar for LGBTQIA+ Muslims observing Ramadan and fasting. The event is donation-based, and registration is open until the day of the event.

Concert and poetry reading: On 26 March Decolonoize Berlin is hosting an evening of indie rock, Latin American folk and poetry. Chilean group Las Brumas will perform alongside poetry readings by Māori poet and performer Hinemoana Baker and interdisciplinary storyteller Nketch. The event starts at 20:00 at Schokoladen Berlin. BiPoC artists are invited to come at 18:00 for an hour of networking and snacks.  

Call for translators: The organisers of Palästina Kongress, an event due to be held in Berlin this April, are looking for translators to and from German, English or Arabic. Get in touch with them via email IG to find out more.

Music and dance: GLADT and Les Migras are holding a Newroz event on 26 March for queers and allies. Join for music, dance and snacks from 18:30 at Lützowstr. 28.

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Header image: Defend Rojava demo in Kreuzberg, 2019 by Montecruz Foto.