Be Part of the Human Chain in Berlin to Save the Whole World!

Be Part of the Human Chain in Berlin to Save the Whole World!

Sometimes Berlin is such a tolerant and peaceful place to live that we tend to forget how fucked up certain things really are. I mean, of course, there are many terrible and dangerous things going on (climate change, terrorism, HIV and so on). But certain things are beyond bad. They are so bad that we can’t even believe that they actually exist and are a real threat to us. I am speaking about nuclear weapons, which became more like an abstract concept in the last 25 years of the end of the cold war (at least on European soil).

But nuclear weapons are absurdly real and in times of Trump and Kim Jong-Un they get even closer to our privileged peaceful lives. This Saturday there is an incredible opportunity to fight them here in Berlin. ICAN – the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons who won the Nobel Peace Prize this year are organizing a Human Chain between the Embassy of North Korea and the US-Embassy. I had a little chat with the Board Member of ICAN Germany, Leo Hoffmann-Axthelm, born and raised in Berlin, about the protest and why we should all show up there.

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Murals of Berlin: Agostino Iacurci

Murals of Berlin: Agostino Iacurci

Street art is an essential part of the Berlin DNA and a powerful output of the local creative culture. Particularly popular to tourists and locals alike are giant murals embellishing the old firewalls. Some of these murals even get certain fame and have the potential to become even a steady landmark of the city.

But street art in opposition to public art (art created and funded by an institution or the government) is not supposed to become a landmark or to be perceived as steady. No wonder that the famous artist Blu decided to paint over his magnificent work leaving nothing else than a black shadow behind. Read more of our thoughts about that in this article.

But even if some street art might disappear over time there is still place and space for new art. For the 25th anniversary of the fall of the wall the Italian region Puglia decided to give Berlin a unique present. They commissioned the Italian artist Agostino Iacurci from this region to create a unique work of art representing the human aspects of the unification. His beautiful work where he combines his typical urban motives with the natural idyll of his home is now on display on a wall at Moritzplatz, near the former border check-point Heinrich-Heine-Straße.
We had the chance to speak to the artist and visit the artwork while it was created. Check out more images of the artwork after the jump and some information about a little contest where you can win a trip to Italy’s finest beaches in Puglia.

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25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall – 25 Berlin Companies

25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall – 25 Berlin Companies

The fall of the Berlin Wall on the 9th of November of 1989 was one of the most drastic changes in the history of Berlin. The reunification of the divided city was not only a political and social change but also the beginning of a new economic perspective for Berlin. Since then a lot has changed. Start-ups and young small companies have settled down in Berlin because of its fertile and creative ground. These changes not only bring new jobs for the inhabitants but also a more positive spirit for the future of the city.

One new project of the Berlin administration wants to focus on the creative and innovative people behind all the great companies settling in Berlin. Therefore 25 business will get a lot of positive attention in a city-wide countdown. You have a small business here or are working for a company which is positively connected to Berlin? Then you should definitely apply until July 31 to take part in this unique campaign. You only need to fill in this online questionnaire and inspire with your personal business story. You can find all the details about the project here.

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