#74

While the world has all eyes on the US these days, we keep focussing on Berlin, this fabulous city. This is a place diversity and tolerance have already called their home 100 years ago.

Of course we have our difficulties, too. But let´s not dive too deep into discussions about problems we have overcome already or yet to face. Autumn is the perfect time to relax. And what would be a better way to do so than by reading a real good book? 
The 15 is once again nationwide day of reading aloud. Where would we like to spend it? At home on the sofa? At grandmother´s kitchen table? Or maybe we should visit one of the many places in Berlin taking part in this project, from Kreuzberg townhall to Treptow fire station? The most important thing remains: read and let read!

But of course, there are people – including us – who don´t think of cosy sofas first, when we say “time to relax”. One of the first things coming to our minds are the beautiful summerly evenings in Italy, having a typical aperitivo on the piazza. Don´t worry – we can have it all in Berlin! Every Sunday Babylon cinema at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz invites us for CinemAperitivo – Italian movies, aperitifs (of course including the mandatory snacks) and cinematic discussions. The movies are shown in Italian with English or German surtitles. On 10 November there will be two short films from the 1960s, “La Ricotta” and “Che cosa sono le nuvole?”, plus introduction by artist Hito Steyerl.

If this aperitivo has left you hungry for a nice Italian dinner, too, we only need to cross the street and get very nice (organic) pizza and good pasta in the vivid Italy-like atmosphere of Bar Internazionale.

As we are just around the corner of renowned theatre Volksbühne: what do they have for us at the moment? What´s particularly interesting when it comes to this great place aren´t only the big plays on the main stage, but also the smaller events taking place in the salons. On 30 November for example, we can enjoy Psychic Liberation and the label´s versatility of musical styles. Which, according to the programme preview, includes as well porn soundtracks as church music. This is Berlin! Yes, we can!

Berlin is also defined by its streets. And who would know better than us, having enjoyed so many walks through the city together? This is what the special exhibition „immer modern! – Berlin und seine Straßen” deals with. In front of the Brandenburg Gate the open-air gallery takes us to the past of Berlin´s most important streets as well as visions of a bright future for Berlin´s and Potsdam´s city centres. Free entrance all day long, until 30 November.

For those of you, who feel like taking a closer look at Berlin´s architectural past, the special exhibition “Blown Away. The Palace of the Republic” is your place to be. And we can also take the GDR´s 75th (non-)anniversary as an opportunity to once again discuss why the former representative building has been torn down and replaced by today´s Humboldtforum, where we can experience the exhibition until 16 February. (© photo: bpk / Bundesstiftung zur Aufarbeitung der SED Diktatur / Klaus Mehner)

So, enough education for today! We wanted to relax, remember? As true jazz fans there is no better way to do so than by listening to fine live music at one of Berlin´s most original jazzclubs, Badenscher Hof in Berlin-Wilmersdorf. We can even meet some old friends here: did you recognise Lionel Haas on the picture´s piano? He often honours our Orania.Stage, too. But, we have to say, on our stage the artists get a bit more physical space to spread their wings artistically. In other words: six people on a stage of app. 1,5 x 2,5 m won´t freeze a lot. 

And if they should indeed: we´ve lit our fireplaces already! They know where to find us. And you do, too.