#60

“So, you got to let me know: should I stay or should I go?” – not only The Clash seem to have had these thoughts, but also Berlin´s ending summer 2023. But let´s see what there is to discover, anyway – in T-shirt or sweater, inside or outdoors.

The first thing beer lovers might think about in September is: time for Oktoberfest! This paradox has already confused many Berliners. Nevertheless, the capital doesn´t cut any corners: the city´s website, berlin.de, lists fourteen Oktoberfest celebrations between 09 September and 28 October, from the northern district of Spandau to our lower east side Tempelhof. Too much of a bustle for you? No problem. We also have good beer.

For the theatre people among us September means some other wonderful thing: the end of the summer break! Have you ever been to Maxim Gorki Theater? Well, September offers a whole variety of reasons to do so. Classic Gorki titles drag us into the historical building (don´t worry, all of the productions carry English surtitles or are even presented half in English): “Eine Niere hat nichts mit Politik zu tun” (Eng.: a kidney has nothing to do with politics) or “Operation Mindfuck”. Okay, they also list “Antigone”. It doesn´t get less interesting, when we hear that “Bühnenbeschimpfung” (Eng.: stage bashing) was elected “play of the year” by the expert´s magazine Theater heute. And of course we are especially interested in “Berlin Oranienplatz”, sort of a facelift for Döblin´s famous novel Berlin Alexanderplatz. Who´s joining us?

Should you be more up for prolonging your mental summer break, a night at Friedrichstadtpalast might be just the right thing to do. Less integration, inclusion and emotional intensity, more glitter, dance and beauty. On 21 September it´s opening night for the new production “Falling in love” – we are looking forward to the gigantic stage we already love, some of the world´s best dancers and breathtaking costumes. Well, figuratively spoken of course. Otherwise the fluctuation among the ensemble might get a bit too high.

Time for a little break? We agree! Perfect timing, too, as we are in the middle of the very first Coffee Week Berlin! Roasteries and cafés all over the city offer workshops, cuppings (for all new coffee-gourmets: coffee tastings) and get togethers. Best enjoyed with a cup of tea. Just kidding.

A beautiful place to have coffee lies hidden in the district of Steglitz. Behind the large shopping mall Boulevard Berlin we arrive at Harry-Breslau-Park. While the kids play on the meadow and the teens work out at the outdoor fitness station, we just have to decide for a café. Enjoying the beautiful glass façade from the inside or rather getting some fresh air on one of the terraces?

Mark the date, all you art lovers: on 14 September a new art museum in Berlin will open its gates with a grand opening celebration, Fotografiska Berlin – The Contemporary Museum of Photography, Art and Culture. The pre-sale tickets are sold out already, but there will be tickets at the box office that day. We are definitely going to try our luck. (© Photo: Fotografiska, Denisse Ariana Perez, Black Anatomy 2023)

And last, but as always not least: next week it´s Art Week again! Yes! From Tuesday on it´s all about input, input, input. We recommend: good shoes. Because the best way to discover the variety of exhibitions is to take part in one of the guided tours through the different neighbourhoods and their galleries (some tours are held in English). Oh, and for those of you who need them, it might also be helpful to bring your glasses. (© Photo: Clara Wenzel-Theiler) 

However you will need neither shoes nor glasses when experiencing our art form: 
the art of hospitality.