photos: Ilsa Hellman
Berlin is not only your home, your playground, your friend, your lover, your nightmare. It can also your teacher, if you let it. We all came here at one point, with different backgrounds, different experiences. And unless we were born and grew up here and have never lived in another city we all made the discovery that Berlin is different, it tells you a different story, it shapes your life in a different way. We can learn so much from it, if we are smart enough to pay attention, because some lessons can only be read between the lines.
Finnish photographer Ilsa Hellman submitted her portrait project Neu in Berlin to us a while ago and beside the beautiful photos that she takes of New Berliners what fascinated me about the project were the stories that the portrayed people where sharing. Regardless if they had just arrived or lived here for many years, almost everyone seemed to have received some sort of lesson or wisdom from the city and we would like to share some of those with you along with Ilsa’s photos.
“In the four years that I have been living in Berlin the greyish city has gained more colors through it’s constant renovations. Empty spaces have disappeared. Change can be sad but I prefer to be part of a city that’s alive and progressing.” – Alessandro, Italy
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“First Berlin felt cold and lonely – then I realised how many tools for transformation this city offers you. You can really improve yourself. You have to!” – Andreia, Portugal
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“Berlin used to live under a constant threat of war – this created a mentality of living for the day. The city also drew lots of conscientious objectors, hippies and artists as West Berlin was free of army conscription. It was like an island of young free people.” – John, Ireland
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“Berlin has taught me that all things are temporary – jobs, relationships, happiness. You should value what you have and keep no greater expectations as everything is ours just for a passing moment.” – Nadia, Spain
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“You must take care of your drive and keep the momentum going. Berlin is a city that let’s you just do your thing – ironically that can sometimes fade one’s motivation. You can do what you love here but it can still be hard to get paid.” – Rachel, England
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“If Berlin would be a girl – it would be a pretty, polite girl from a good house who at night gets all drugged up in a techno party, wraps all the boys around her little finger, then goes home alone and in the morning wakes up to the art school.” – Ran Nir, Isreal
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“Don’t come here to search yourself – you will need a strong sense of self to make it in Berlin without losing yourself.” – VikaValter, Russia
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“From a Spanish viewpoint, Germans often see problems even where there are none. It makes me sad to see young people consumed by the guilt and pressure the Anglo-Saxon success cult causes them. In life, we must look into and live your own essence and fight the fears – both our own and those others set upon you.” – Teresa, Spain
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“Tip for other Americans: Don’t hang out with other Americans! If you come all the way here to experience new people, force yourself to do it. Learn a bit of German before hand, be open and respectful and adapt to the other culture. Life is all neat and orderly here – everyone is playing by the rules, even when they are not playing by the rules.” – Zack, USA
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“In a city like Berlin it’s very important to create a grounded group of friends and keep up an available, involved and committed attitude. It makes a difference what the people around you do at night.” – Jonathan, Australia
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“If you arrive from another culture that taught you that being different is bad – here you will learn it’s freedom. Embrace the difference and don’t refuse the freedom. We must learn to share with other cultures. Amongst our own culture we easily become blind and arrogant. Let Berlin train your personality.” – Sultan, Turkey
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