We want to continue celebrating Pride Month here at Lokafy, and what better way to do it, than by exploring different cities and the way their respective LGBTQ+ communities express themselves? Today, we thought that it would be really interesting to focus on art, music and theater, because oftentimes, they are a way in which people can show both their positive and negative experiences, their fears and dreams.
Today, we would like to talk about Berlin, Germany’s capital. First of all, it is known around the world as a great city for the LGBTQ+ community, especially as there are countless bars, club nights and saunas to have fun, relax and dance freely. Generally speaking, the broad and easy access to healthcare and the historic tolerance and acceptance of the community (which sadly doesn’t mean that there aren’t bigots and ignorant people) have made Berlin one of the most popular European cities for the LGBTQ+ community. As such, it comes as no surprise that there are so many different galleries, theaters and cinematic experiences made by and for the community. Thus, let’s dive deeper into the cultural and artistic LGBTQ+ scene of Berlin.
Express yourself through art:
Berlin is a city that appreciates art in all of its forms, that’s why there’s so many museums and galleries there! Fortunately, they are also known for their diversity, which means that no matter who you are, where you’re from or how you identify, you’ll certainly find something that resonates with you in one of Berlin’s galleries or museums. And clearly, there are a lot of queer artists that are routinely featured in exhibitions, as well as other places where the programmes have a heavy queer focus.
For example, The Ballery is an art gallery that has fascinated Berliners since 2013. To understand how it works, you have to understand its name: it is a composition of the words “Ballet” and “gallery”, as a way to express the importance of movement in the experience of The Ballery. Its focus is on contemporary art, and you’ll find everything, ranging from paintings and photographs to sculptures, videos, performances and dances. We think that the combination of all of these types of art are the best proof of the natural motion that happens in this gallery. Since the beginning, The Ballery has made a conscious effort to showcase the work of LGBTQ+ artists from all over the world constantly, so wherever you visit, you can expect to be blown away by queer art. Additionally, another gallery that’s a must-see for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ art, is instinct.berlin, which actually, we shouldn’t be calling a gallery. Instinct.berlin is more of an organization, art project and international artist network, which works tirelessly to create intense and beautiful exhibitions focused on queer masculinities. Twice a year, in April and September, you can head over to the “Village.Berlin”, a community center for LGBTQ+ men. Aside from the exhibitions, there are other performances, talks and events that will give you another perspective on queer identities.
The Ballery is a gallery focused on contemporary art of all forms, in which queer artists have become protagonists.
The many faces of theater:
There’s all kinds of theaters in Berlin, but certainly, the queer ones are some of the most charming, fun and entertaining ones in the city. Let us introduce you to three iconic theaters: Bar jeder Vernunft, Maxim Gorki Theater and BKA-Theater. The first one is a classic cabaret treasure, with a rich history and a dazzling repertoire of plays and acts by some of the most beloved and famous performers in Berlin. When you enter the theater, you’ll see that it is a beautiful mirrored tent, that will give you the impression that you’re in a bigger space than you actually are, when in reality, you’ll share a precious moment in an intimate atmosphere. Enjoy a bit of Germany’s chanson, cabaret and comedy scenes surrounded by the most loyal LGBTQ+ audience.
Our second theater has a more serious tone, because it tries to tackle essential social and political issues through its stage. On the stage of the Maxim Gorki Theater, you’ll be able to explore and reflect on problems such as racism, hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community, migration and rape culture, through a feminist and queer perspective. This theater may be the smallest of the city’s state theaters, but it is clearly the most radical and brave in showcasing its political values. Finally, we’ll finish with the BKA-Theater, which has a lighter programme, but is also beloved by Berlin’s LGBTQ+ community. It was founded in the 1980s, and since then, some of the greatest performers of the city have acted on its small stage. For example, some of the most famous shows continue to be drag or cabaret even today. And before we forget, don’t let the old facade of the building fool you, because even if on the outside it might seem cold and distant, on the inside you’ll encounter the most pleasing and enthusiastic atmosphere.
The Bar jeder Vernunft is a beloved theater in Berlin that will allow you to experience a fun, energetic and precious moment in an intimate atmosphere.
Life through cinema:
Well, you’ve been able to see that Berlin is indeed at the heart of the artistic and cultural scene of Germany and Europe. But galleries and theaters are not the end of it, because we also have to talk about cinema, something loved and carefully crafted in Berlin, that gives LGBTQ+ people the space they deserve to tell their stories in the most beautiful way. For starters, Kino International is one of the city’s most important cinemas, something obvious when you think about the great names that have presented their projects there: Steven Spielberg, Tilda Swinton, Spike Lee… Aside from its history, the architecture of the cinema has turned it into a landmark of Berlin, and one of the symbols of the hope and greatness that came with reunification. Thus, this cinema monument has built a reputation as a major international premiere house, where the biggest names can present their films to the public for the first time. Every month, there’s something called queerfilmnacht (translated to Queer Film Night) in which Kino International presents a new, queer film from the international festival landscape for everyone to see. This cinema also has a programme called MonGay, in which films depicting gay and lesbian love are shown every monday at 10 pm, sometimes being new films, and other times classics.
We also find the XPOSED Queer Film Festival, a project that has been built for more than 15 years, trying to find its place in the Berlin film scene and understanding how to break barriers and become a key actor into giving a platform to queer filmmakers to show LGBTQ+ life stories in all of its rights, wrongs, sorrows and joys. Precisely, the festival’s programme is a clear example of how the organizers prioritize this storytelling and its impact in Berlin and the local LGBTQ+ community, as well as their objective of exposing its selected films on the global queer festival circuit. You’ll see that new and old films are alternated in the program, and that short films also make an appearance in the festival. The focus on showcasing diverse queer perspectives from different parts of the world through the films selected, is key to make every member of the community heard and seen.
Kino International is one of the most famous cinemas in Berlin, and during its monthly queerfilmnacht and weekly MonGay, it gives queer films a great platform.
We appreciate your attention throughout the blog, and we sincerely hope that it is an interesting topic that will allow you to understand a bit better the different LGBTQ+ experiences around the world, and how they express themselves through art. Pride Month is the perfect opportunity to learn more about queer lives and celebrate them, but it is important to know that what begins in Pride Month has to continue all year. Fortunately, the efforts of Berlin’s LGBTQ+ community to open up spaces and experiences for them shows you how the work and fun of the other 11 months of the year look like.
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