BERLIN SIDEWALK » Festivals

Festival of Lights 2011

Carsten — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:37:56 +0000

Once again, one of the largest illumination festivals in the world, the Festival of Lights, takes place in Berlin and world-famous landmarks and monuments are dressed in spectacular light. German and international artists and lighting designers present extraordinary illuminations, light art and creative designs. All 81 illuminated buildings will shine in different colors until October 23th daily from 7:30pm till 0:00am.

~~I will update this article with more pictures during the next week.~~

60 years Federal Police Birthday Party

Carsten — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 15:43:39 +0000

Berlin, Pariser Platz, 27°C, a small helicopter is hovering above the Brandenburg Gate, suddenly a group of GSG9 Special Forces is jumping out of the helicopter, attached with a parachute and a smoke flare gun. Thousand of tourists waiting for them to land in the middle of the Pariser Platz right in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

The Berlin Federal Police celebrated its 60th Anniversary yesterday on August 20th 2011, with a big street festival and the GSG9 paratroopers as a special event.

Christopher Street Day Berlin 2011

Tom — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 19:09:09 +0000

More than half a million demonstrators and spectators were present at this years Parade. It was a diverse crowd: Men and women, gay and straight, young and old, from Berlin and all over the world.

The CSD Parade is a political demonstration. Every year there is a motto, and a list of demands for political changes that are necessary for the equality and acceptance of LGBT persons.

And of course it is also an opportunity to throw a big party down the streets of Berlin. There are dance beats, brilliant costumes, decorated floats, and the occasional naked upper body.

Carnival of Cultures Berlin 2011

Carsten — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:57:14 +0000

After four days, the Carnival of Cultures 2011 ended yesterday with a big parade from Hermannplatz to Yorckstraße. About 4.800 participants organised in 93 groups and about 700.000 visitors changed Kreuzberg into a sea of colours and ideas.

The street procession focussed on the cultural richness of Berlin, and also highlighted the often hidden treasures of its international cultural scene.

I took about 1000 pictures, but sadly I can’t show all of them, so I think that 29 pictures will be enough to give you an idea of what happened yesterday.

BURN OUT MAN Berlin 2011

BURN OUT MAN Berlin 2011

Carsten — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:05:04 +0000

Another cool Event last weekend was the BURN OUT MAN Festival, or LUNAR PARK Festival, an international art and culture festival over 3 day with quite an interesting ending.

“During three days the visitors and SHOWCASE BEAT LE MOT put up the monstrous figure of the BURN OUT MAN. Together they integrated their wishes and fears into this giant in order to sacrifice him at the end in an excessive ritual”

So it’s kinda like the Burning Man in Nevada, just a little bit smaller.

125 Years of Automobiles Berlin

Tom — Mon, 30 May 2011 15:12:57 +0000

125 Years of Automobiles met 125 Years of the Kurfürstendamm and connected these two anniversaries in the form of an exclusive classic car rally at Germany’s most beautiful and glamorous boulevard

On 28 and 29 May 2011, the two great anniversaries were celebrated in a dazzling array of beauty and ever-fascinating technology from 125 years of bodywork and unique Berlin flair.

Up to 1,250 vintage cars from the 1930s to the 1970s could be admired at an exhibition space of over two kilometres stretching from Breitscheidplatz to Olivaer Platz.

Cherry Blossom Festival Berlin 2011

Carsten — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:36:01 +0000

„Beotkkot Chukje“, „Shang Mei“ and „Hanami“, again this year, the Cherry Blossom Festival took place in Berlin’s Gardens of the World with many shows, performers, cosplayers and of course sakura trees.

The cherry blossom (sakura) is the national flower of Japan. To honor its beauty, and short life span, the Japanese celebrate its arrival with a yearly festival. Friends will gather under the trees to enjoy rice wine (sake), sing songs, and celebrate the coming of spring.

In Berlin, the Japanese, the Chinese and the Koreans celebrated this day together on Sunday, 17. April.

Berlinale 2011 – The Exhibition

Carsten — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:11:14 +0000

The Berlinale 2011 is over. During the last week 18 young photographers received the opportunity to experience working as professional photojournalists to show us this years Berlinale through their eyes, or should I say, through their cameras?

All the works were gathered at the C/O Berlin gallery and Dieter Kosslick himself opened the exhibition “Close Up!”.

Berlinale 2011 – Hollywood in Berlin

Carsten — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:42 +0000

The City of Berlin has placed a 14 meters high and 53 meters wide Hollywood Sign in the middle of the Tiergarten between the Brandenburg Gate and the Potsdamer Platz.

The Holly- wait.. there is only one L? Oh boy, something went terribly wrong…

Just kidding, the Holywood Sign is a creation by the artist and filmmaker Ralf Schmerberg and part of a Climate Protection campaign, to plant 10.000 new trees all across the City.

So from now on, it’s “Welcome to HolyWood”.

Japan Festival Berlin 2011

Carsten — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:37:51 +0000

The Japan Festival 2011 took place during the last 2 days at Berlin’s Urania with many stands, artists and two stages with non-stop-live programs such as Taiko Drums, Aikido, Karate, Kendo, Cosplay, Ju Tai Jutsu, and many more.

Even an authentic Japanese cuisine freshly made by Japanese chief Takao Udagawa such as Sushi, Udon and Misu.

For me, it was a really funny and interesting festival, maybe because it wasn’t all about cosplay and mangas but more about the culture, the food and the lifestyle of the japanese people.