Carnival of Cultures: How Berlin celebrates multiculturalism
Bettina Baumann eg
June 2, 2017
In times of growing nationalism and populism, the Karneval der Kulturen, an annual multicultural festival in Berlin, appears to be more necessary than ever. It has been celebrating tolerance and diversity since 1996.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Gambarini
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The colors of Berlin's Carnival of Cultures
In times of growing nationalism and populism, the Karneval der Kulturen, an annual multicultural festival in Berlin, appears to be more necessary than ever. It has been celebrating tolerance and diversity since 1996.
Image: Reuters/H. Hanschke
Dance troupes from all over
The street parade showcasing dances by different ethnic minorities is a highlight of the Karneval der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures). The Dancing Dragons troupe is seen here performing a traditional Chinese dance at last year's event. The dragons are trying to reach the "pearl of wisdom," a symbol for the pursuit of perfection and knowledge. The group will be performing again this year.
Image: Reuters/H. Hanschke
Alemannic flair in the capital
Berlin has many special features, but unlike in many other German cities, the celebration of carnival is not one of them. The Swabian-Alemannic Shrove Tuesday festivities are a strong tradition in Baden-Württemberg, in the south of Germany. These folkloric costumed characters are an entertaining sight at the Berlin Karneval der Kulturen.
Image: Daniela Incoronato
Freed from mental borders
At Berlin's Karneval der Kulturen, boundaries separating nationalities, genders and generations are broken down. In this picture, samba queen Sonia de Oliveira poses with an older festival goer. Along with her group Amasonia, she has danced through Berlin to protest against the genetic manipulation of corn crops and endangered plant species.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Gambarini
Humorous pleas for an open world
At the 2016 Karneval der Kulturen, participants in the group Tarantella also had a political message: "Isolation leads to hair loss" was the kind of warning slogan that could be read on their imitation cigarette packets. "Isolation leads to the loss of your cultural roots!" was another message. Isolationist policies were a big issue that year.
Image: Daniela Incoronato
Parade, street festival and leisure zone
Along with the famous street parade, there are many other activities programmed throughout the event. The Karneval der Kulturen is a four-day street festival with concerts from international bands and DJs, performances by street artists and acrobats, as well as workshops on sustainability.
Image: Frank Löhmer
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"In its 22nd year, [our festival] is more than ever for openness and cooperation, for courage and tolerance, for joy and human kindness," explains the office of the Karneval der Kulturen, or Carnival of Cultures, on its website. This spirit has kept the festival running through some trying times.
Until May 2017, the Karneval der Kulturen, which has been held every year since 1996, was struggling to attract the necessary financing.
New federal requirements, which include hiring security services, meant that the festival needed an additional 185,000 euros ($207,500) to cover the event costs. At the last minute, the Senate Department for Integration, Labor and Social Affairs, as well as the Department for Culture and Europe, agreed to support the event, saving this year's Karneval der Kulturen.
Secretary of State for Integration, Daniel Tietze, was also relieved, pointing out how "important and essential" the major event was in the current political and social context.
Colorful, joyful and international performances are expected at the Karneval der KulturenImage: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Gambarini
A colorful program for a colorful German capital
The Karneval der Kulturen will therefore take place for the 22nd time from June 2-5, and will reflect again on Berlin's diversity, with people from more than 180 countries living in the German capital.
The highlight of the four-day festival is the street parade through Berlin's multicultural district, Kreuzberg, held on June 4. Over 60 participating groups, including samba dancers, drummers and stilt walkers, will be performing.
The street festival also boasts over 300 stands with food and art crafts from different cultures. Four stages will be welcoming numerous international bands and DJs. Eight additional "Music Corners" will offer a stage for more intimate performances.
Statement against nationalism
The fall of the Berlin Wall led to an increased internationalization of the city, but also to the emergence of stronger nationalist and racist movements in the 1990s. Reacting to this phenomenon, the City of Berlin launched the Karneval der Kulturen to celebrate its multiculturalism and tolerance - and keeps doing so to this day.
