May #2 - 🇬🇪 Celebrating Georgian Independence...
...and looking back to GDR times and into queer cinema from CEE
Dear all,
The situation in Georgia is dramatic. For weeks, tens of thousands have been protesting for the European future of their country. Despite massive protests, the Georgian parliament has passed the law on “foreign agents”.
The controversial regulation requires organizations and media that receive at least one fifth of their funding from abroad to register with the authorities. Critics see parallels with a law in Russia, with which the authorities there are targeting civil society.
EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Borrell and Enlargement Commissioner Varhelyi stated that the adoption of the law would have a negative impact on Georgia's progress towards EU membership.
Hence the mass protests, to which I would like to draw your attention to. Honoring the strength and bravery of the protesters, I would like to put the spotlight of todays newsletter on Georgia. 🇬🇪
In this issue:
🇬🇪 Power in Unity! Day of Georgia
🎭 Play on GDR-Palast der Republik in Humboldt-Forum
🖼️ GDR-Brotherland Exhibition
🎞️ Central & Eastern Europa @ XPOSED Queer Filmfestival
🥟 Taste of Solidarity: Georgian Restaurant Tipp
So, let’s dive right in!
🇬🇪 Power in Unity! Day of Georgia
26th of May is Georgian independence day, which is more than just the perfect occasion in order to celebrate Georgian culture and art as well as to support the current protest movement for a a self-determined and independent Georgian future. What to expect: a photography exhibition, a concert and Georgian food and wine.
📆 26th of May, 3pm to 8pm
📍Halfsister Berlin / Tempfelhof
💵 donation based
🗣️ English
🎭 BAU AUF! BAU AB! - Play on GDR-Palast der Republik
At the site of representative architecture in the historic center of Berlin, a second, almost completely blurred trace leads back into recent history alongside the widely visible reconstructed façade of the Humboldt Forum: it is the short history of the Palast der Republik, which lasted from the laying of the foundation stone in 1973 until the demolition of the building in 2008.
The approximately 30 years of the GDR prestige building's existence are the focus of a theatrical journey through time in which the history of the “Palace for the People” comes to life. The play BAU AUF! BAU AB! focuses on its significance as a cultural, political and identity-forming place.
📆 between 17th and 31st of May
📍Humboldt Forum / Mitte
💵 16€ / 8€
🗣️ German
🏛️ Exhibition “Echoes of the Brother Countries”
Between 1949 and 1990, hundreds of thousands of people migrated to the GDR from countries such as Algeria, Angola, Chile, Guinea-Bissau, Cuba, Mozambique, Syria and Vietnam. Their stories often remained untold. The exhibition and research project Echoes of the Brother Countries is dedicated to the often overlooked political, economic, educational and artistic interdependencies, exchange processes and migration movements between the GDR and other socialist-oriented states, the so-called 'brother countries'.
📆 until 20th of May
📍Haus der Kulturen der Welt / Tiergarten
💵 6€ / 8€ (free entry on 18th & 19th of May!)
🗣️German
🎞️ Central & Eastern Europa @ XPOSED Queer Film Festival
The Xposed Queer Film Festival Berlin is an international queer film festival for documentary, scenic, experimental and animated films. Let's see how Central and Eastern Europe is represented in the program this year:
JEŠTĚ NEJSEM, KÝM CHCI BÝT (I’M NOT EVERYTHING I WANT TO BE)
Libuše Jarcovjáková’s photography captures the dynamic environments she has inhabited throughout her life to this day. Starting in 1960s Czechoslovakia, rhythmic black and white photography re-creates the atmosphere of everyday life heavily impacted by Soviet invasion.
📆 31st of May, 4pm
📍Moviemento / Kreuzberg
💵 9-12€
🗣️Czech with English subtitles
QUEENDOM
…explores the intersection of drag, politics, and personal courage. At its heart is Jenna, a fearless person navigating the harsh realities of discrimination in Russia. Using drag as both a personal expression and a political statement, Jenna challenges the status quo and protests against the oppressive Russian government a the war in Ukraine.
📆 31st oft May, 9pm
📍Wolf Kino / Neukölln
💵 9-12€
🗣️Russian with English subtitles
STOP-ZEMLIA
The introverted high-school girl Masha sees herself as an outsider unless she hangs around with Yana and Senia, who share her non-conformist status. While she is trying to navigate through an intense time of the pre-graduation year, Masha falls in love in a way that forces her out of her comfort zone.
📆 1st of June, 7pm
📍IL KINO / Kreuzberg
💵 9-12€
🗣️Ukrainian with English subtitles
Check out the full program and festival website here!
🥟 Taste of Solidarity: Georgian Restaurant Tipp
Kin Za - a vibrant, modern restaurant that celebrates Georgia's unique and rich culinary tradition. Inspired by the country's rich history, culture and diverse colors, it for sure is an eye-catcher!
📍Krausnickstraße 23 & Linienstraße 93, 10115 Berlin / Mitte
💵 10-30€
🍴vegetarian options available
Thank you for reading and stay tuned for the next issue coming in two weeks on 1st of June!
If you want to share your event tip with the readers, let me know! Feel free to reach out with submissions, questions or feedback anytime via DM or juliaschneider@substack.com.
Lots of love,
From Julia’s Desk
Thanks for spreading awareness ❤️🇪🇺🇬🇪🇦🇲
🇬🇪♥️