Ohlauer Straße – The End of the Occupation

Ohlauer Straße – The End of the Occupation

photo: Ole Ukena

Last night the occupation of a house at Ohlauer Straße in Kreuzberg achieved something like a bitter happy end. The solidarity and all the engagement of the people from Berlin towards the refugees of Ohlauer Straße has proven to be succesful. The 40 remaining refugees will be able to stay and meanwhile the house will be rebuilt to a proper refugee center. But still this result is not a success but more like a bitter reminder that it takes guts, will power and boldness to fight injustice. The images and stories from Ohlauer Straße seem to be from another country. Police brutality resulting in pepper spray against demonstrating teenagers and multiple fractures and damages under all the people protesting is a shameful result for the local government. The most expensive intervention of the police forces so far would have financed so much more important things in this city than this inhuman, senseless and unjust blockade. I just hope that the images from this days will stay sharp in our memories and in the consciousness of the government as well. More photos to be remembered after the jump.

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Another View of Fusion

Another View of Fusion

Our new guest contributor and talented photographer Ole Ukena has a very unique way of exploring and viewing the world surrounding us. For iHeartBerlin.de he discovered a totally different side of Fusion Festival, far away from the big dance floors and main stages. Enjoy his captivating pictures and his thoughts.

It’s been 4 years since my last Fusion. It’s been quiet a journey with this festival which started in 1997. Like most festivals it started really small and it’s goal is to create a “parallel society” without borders, vacation communism (Ferienkommunismus) as they call it. You can dive in on many different levels, watch acrobatics, learn finnish tango, dance to techno, discover amazing bands from all parts of the world, watch art installations or just get as fucked up as possible and stumble around. The choice is yours. More pictures and thoughts after the jump.

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