Unusual reading with live music on March 5th at Periplaneta, Berlin: Jung, Märkert und Klatte

Incidentally, this event is not available in the foyer – or in German. Our apologies.

Friedrich Ebert’s house in Treptow. Remembering Germany’s first elected president

“Berliner Gedenktafel“, a series commemorating public figures of importance for or in Berlin, has put up a plaque for a man that is undoubtedly of importance to the German people. The first elected president (Reichspräsident) of Germany was Friedrich Ebert. He lived in the borough of Treptow, in the Defregger Street, to be exact, from 1912 until 1918, throughout the war years. Don’t worry about the ivy – it will soon be removed (but with all official commemorative plaques things take a lot of time.)

To become part of the series anyone can suggest a plaque to be put up (but you have to pay for it ) The Historische Kommission will check the validity of the claim according to their statutes (my translation):

The only criterion for those to be honoured are their achievements on behalf of Berlin and its people. Persons or institutions will be preferred who have made a lasting impact beyond the borders of Berlin. Suggestions may include not only persons but also places of historical importance, institutions, squares and buildings.”Quote from: Gedenktafelprogramm

I have passed Treptow Park dozen of times without having the slightest idea that one of the most influential politicians of my country (when the Social Democrats still had people you could take seriously) lived a street away from it. A very quiet, bourgeois area with older houses still in good shape – and right among them there is this inconspicious plaque that even the people living in this house could not properly place.

Turn urban wastelands into green: Princess gardens in Berlin-Kreuzberg

Last Sunday my mother-in-law-to-be had her birthday party at a very special place: The Princess’ Gardens in Berlin-Kreuzberg. At the southeastern corner of the Moritzplatz you will find an urban wasteland that is being turned into a green oasis by the group Nomadic Green.

To explain their concept of urban farming would take up too much space so let me just quote from their website:

Imagine a future where every available space in big cities is used to let new green spaces bloom. Green spaces that local residents create themselves and use to produce fresh and healthy food. The result would be increased biological diversity, less CO2 and a better microclimate. The spaces would promote a sense of community and the exchange of a wide variety of competencies and forms of knowledge, and would help people lead more sustainable lives. They would be a kind of miniature utopia, a place where a new style of urban living can emerge, where people can work together, relax, communicate and enjoy locally produced vegetables.

As my mother-in-law mentioned above has been living most happily in Kreuzberg (an artist in her own right) and does love to support all cultural and artistic projects in her neighbourhood we celebrated her birthday there – right in between flowers, useful and less useful plants, shrubs and Trees. The chives grown there taste much better than anything you will find at your supermarker – I can attest to that!

The Moritzplatz is an U-Bahn station, lifeless, loveless, stacked with buildings lots (where no building is really taking place.) However, this green perspective, great coffee and first-class munchies made the afternoon a very nice experience.

Anyone searching for a place of peace and quiet among hectic urban life should definitely pay those gardens a visit. Far away from touristy haunts and political, bureaucratical, economic megalomania all capitals seem to suffer from you can simply relax and have a great time. The city you live in should be a city worth living in. Da capo, Nomadic Green.

More info on their website:

http://prinzessinnengarten.net

Photo credits: Photograph known to the editorial team. All photographs copyrighted. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without written permission.

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