Today, November 29, 2008, is the day the Palast der Republik was completely removed from the landscape of Schlossplatz in Berlin-Mitte. Over the years I've been photographing the demolition of this building. The film, rather a slideshow, shows the various stages from 2003 to present.The photos can be seen in my flickr set.
Also this year, the Festival of Lights will turn Berlin into a sparkling metropolis with a firework of illuminations and events for two weeks from 14th to 26th October. World-famous historical landmarks and spots in Berlin, e.g. the Brandenburg Gate, the TV or radio tower, will be staged impressively by means of light, events, projections and fireworks. Complementary to the festival there will be numerous cultural events dealing with the subject “light”.
All sins and skins will fall at this year’s sixth HustlaBall Berlin on October 17, 2008, and not just those of porn stars, starlets, sex workers and all sorts of other performers but also those of exhibitionists, voyeurs, the audience and the curious from all around the world. Everyone is welcome to follow them into the night. Whether man, woman, straight, gay, bi, trans, multisexual or metro-sexual, HustlaBall Berlin knows no limits, is shameless, decadent, and seductive.
Legendary Kit Kat Club in Berlin’s Mitte District is once again place with no inhibitions. The name ‘Kit Kat’ has tradition in Berlin. Already in the 20s guys and girls met in this infamous nightclub to follow their lust and senses throughout the night. Today there’s much more to it what once was called ‘being sexually free’ at this historic place. Starring Rick Hammersmith, Ikenna, and Zeb Atlas.
An ode to Tiergarten in early autumn. Casually cruising through the central park in Berlin admiring the scenery on this late September day.
Only in Berlin (and San Francisco)! The leather tribe comes together again in all their regalia and muscles. A quick jaunt through this year's street fair and a few words from Mr Leather UK.
Folsom Europe, which culminates to its highlight on September 6, the street fair on Fuggerstrasse between noon and 10 p.m. No other event in Europe attracts so many visitors.
The first weekend in September has become a fixed date in the Leather and fetish wold´s agenda. This year, like the years before, clubs and groups from all over the world present themselves at the street fair. Lots of sales stands invite the crowd for shopping, testing and information. Berlin´s bar owners cater to the crowd with many places to eat and drink at the street fair. Popular DJs get the visitors into the right mood with their music.
There will be some innovations this year. The new DJ stage will be set up at the end of Fuggerstarsse near Ansbacher Strasse. Many titleholders from all over the world, including the current Intl. Mr. Leather 2008, Gary Iriza from Palm Springs/USA, Mr. Leather Europe Martin Cedergren from Stockholm and German Mr. Leather Frank from Cologne will support the fundraising projects set up by Folsom Europe by their attendance.
Folsom Europe 2008 will continue to be a peaceful and friendly meeting of this scene and its friends. The oranizing team would like to express their gratitude to Mr. Wowereit for his strong support and also for his salutation to the participants of Folsom Europe 2008.
And we're back on the bike for probably this season's last major tour. This time I went down to Königs Wusterhausen in the southeast of Berlin and started to the east. There are a lot of beautiful lakes and rolling scenery. About 50 km later, I arrived at Bad Saarow on Scharmützelsee. Enjoy the tour!
Die Fuckparade im elften Jahr. Wir werden gemeinsam ein Zeichen setzen mit dieser subkulturellen Demonstration. Die Subkultur legt vom Mainstream verdrängte Probleme offen, arbeitet sie auf. Sie lebt Toleranz durch Vielfalt und Andersartigkeit, schafft Kunst und Kultur ohne beschränkende kommerzielle und gesellschaftliche Zwänge. Dies wird in Berlin insbesondere durch alternative Wohn- und Kulturprojekte wie z.B. dem Schwarzen Kanal e.V., der Köpi, New Yorck und dem Bethanien ermöglicht. Unsere Wegstrecke setzt seit vielen Jahren politische Akzente entlang bedrohten Projekten, etwa mit der Clubbegräbnis-Tour.
Die Fuckparade versteht sich als offener Interessenverbund politisch und subkulturell aktiver Künstler und Gruppierungen der unterschiedlichsten Musik- und Kunstszenen. Sie ist uneingeschränkt jedem zugänglich, der kulturelle Vielfalt, persönliche Freiheit und gesellschaftliche Toleranz als grundlegende Wertvorstellungen teilt und verbreitet. Gleichzeitig distanziert sich die Fuckparade ausdrücklich von Ausgrenzung, Intoleranz und Faschismus. No Nazis, anywhere! Weder auf der Straße noch im Parlament!
This year's hemp parade was a bit smaller than last year's, but we took to the streets anyway and demonstrated for the legalization of hemp.
Ah, summertime. DJ Tanith on decks at a techno party in Brandenburg called Nation of Gondwana. He laid down a fierce set and kept them hoppin' till dawn and beyond.
Obama speaks to the people of Berlin in a great speech. He talked about the Atlantic alliance and the need for freedom of press. I finally got a chance tosee him and hear him in person, me and about 200,000 others!
