Again this year and for the tenth time now, the Festival of Lights and the Berlin Shines Festival took place during the first three weeks in October.
National as well as international artists presented light installations which transformed the city into a huge stage, numerous landmarks, historical places, streets and other important buildings throughout the city were illuminated with different colors and videos.
Once again, Berlin is host for the world‘s leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances where visitors have the chance to experience everything new when it comes to smartphones, tablets, television and video.
From Ultra-HD (4K resolution) displays, to Smart TVs and Networked Home Appliances. IFA 2013 is where industry experts and media representatives discuss topics ranging from social media and smart homes, to digital ecosystems and energy efficiency.
As a global trade show for the digital world, IFA offers excellent opportunities to learn about the upcoming changes and prospects for the future. Take advantage of the opportunities at IFA to gain exclusive knowledge and get a head start on what is yet to come.
Gamescom 2013 is over and after a wonderful week in Cologne, I’m back in Berlin.
This year, over 340,000 gamers, trade visitors and journalists visited the largest computer and video games trade fair worldwide. Over 635 exhibitors from 40 countries presented 400 world premiers, including for the first time in history two new consoles – PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
And don’t let the pictures below fool you, the only day it was “empty” was on press-day, the picture above pretty much tells you everything.
Hideo Kojima, creator of the famous Metal Gear Video Game Series, visited Berlin yesterday, February 23rd, for an autograph session, which was part of a promotion campaign for his newest work: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
Hundreds waited in line to get their copy signed by one of the most influential and innovative video game directors and writers in the industry. The art director of the Metal Gear Series Yoji Shinkawa was also present.
A new Museum just opened its doors in Berlin’s Karl-Marx-Allee, and it’s not one of those boring historical ones, the Computerspielemuseum or Computer Games Museum Berlin. Well, it’s about the history of gaming and it might be boring if you are not interested in Video Games… but if you are, it is really interesting and informative.
Our museum, which was opened in Berlin in 1997, was the world’s first permanent exhibition devoted to digital interactive entertainment culture. Since then, we have documented the development of the medium at over 30 national and international events.
You are invited on an entertaining expedition to meet the game players of the 21st century. Numerous rare original exhibits, playable classic games and assorted media productions help you exploring the world of “Homo Ludens Digitalis”.
Anyway, if you have a liking in video games and want to know more about the creation of the Comodore64 and the invention of Apple’s first personal computer, you should pay it a visit.
As I mentioned yesterday, today was Berlin’s 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Many World leaders and dignitaries were invited.
Chancellor Merkel said some Words in front of the Brandenburg Gate, she herself grew up in East Germany and was one of thousands to cross into the West on Nov, 9, 1989 – “Today marks a truly happy moment of the German and the European history,” She said. “Twenty years ago the door to freedom opened up and a seemingly invincible wall that divided a people and an entire continent suddenly became permeable. For me, it was one of the happiest moments of my life.”
The Main Event was a symbolic Fall of the Wall in form of 1,000 dominoes to symbolize fall of the communist regimes and iron curtain in Eastern Europe. The first stone was pushed by the former Polish politician Lech Wałęsa.
The 1,000 Stones, 2,5m high, all hand-painted, were lined a 1,6km long portion of the route once occupied by the wall. I took a couple of pictures from some very interesting Stones.
A new Trailer for Berlin’s image campaign “be Berlin” will be aired on CNN International in 148 countries worldwide. The 30 seconds clip shows a few of Berlin’s landmarks, people and shall show Berlin’s transformation to a unique and dynamic metropolis, 20 years after the fall of the Wall. Continue reading