Issue 122
Getting that Berlin novel published...
When Isherwood published his "Goodbye to Berlin", he was 35. These modern-day writers are all under 40 and, whether e-published, self-published or contracted by a German publisher, they have also put out their own Berlin memoirs. Read more
The literary connector: Sharmaine Lovegrove
From book-selling to counseling to event-organising, Sharmaine Lovegrove has become a vital player in the expat lit scene. Read more
The nano-publisher: Amanda DeMarco
Amanda DeMarco of Readux books delivers Berlin literature in English-language, bite-sized form. Read more
Sauna with a difference
Done with the hamam or itching to spoil yourself? Try Teremok for Berlin's best imitated traditional Russian sauna. Available (separately) to both ladies and gentlemen, steam, flagellation and relaxation are the three steps to "ahhh". Read more
The e-publisher: Nikola Richter
At 37, Richter is a mother, writer, journalist, editor, consultant and curator extraordinaire of myriad cultural and literary projects, especially the kind preceded with the prefix “e-”. With Mikrotext, Nikola Richter caters to the way we read now. Read more
The Berlin translator: Katy Derbyshire
With Helene Hegemann's "Axolotl Roadkill" counted among her successes, Katy Derbyshire makes great literature available to the German-challenged among us. Read more
The bookseller: Frithjof Klepp
In a city already crowded with bookstores, Frithjof Klepp is determined to make Ocelot live up to its “not just another bookstore” sobriquet. Read more
The book agent: Karin Graf
Since its creation in post-Wende Germany in 1995, Graf & Graf has grown to be one of the most respected literary agencies in the country. Karin Graf is the grand dame behind the Berlin book juggernaut. Read more
Ask Hans-Torsten: SEPA and Waldmeister
Hans-Torsten Richter answers your questions about surviving and thriving in Berlin, like what SEPA is and demystifying the elusive Waldmeister. Read more
More than art
OUT NOW. Oscar-winner director Trueba's EL ARTISTA Y LA MODELO tells a story of an inspirational relationship between an artist and a model. Read more
Artist to watch: Marianna Uutinen
Everything closed for Weihnachtspause but you still hunger for art? Check out Finnish queen of painting Marianna Uutinen, our December artist to watch. Her joint exhibition with Anselm Reyle is open over the holidays (aside from Dec 24-26). Read more
Goura Pakora: Karma comfort
The Hare Krishna-style cuisine isn’t strictly prasadam, Ayurvedic or all Indian, but it does satisfy the soul with everything made in-house and chosen with care. From giant Thalis to the namesake pakoras, a meal here will make you feel at peace. Read more
Everything said
OUT NOW! A well-balanced dynamic between the three leads makes ENOUGH SAID eloquent enough. Read more
Dull blade
OUT NOW! To our chagrin, MACHETE KILLS brings back Danny Trejo on yet another mission. Read more
Blutwurst in Berlin: Bloody delicious
While the vegan frenzy isn’t dying down anytime soon, a growing number of Berlin foodies are craving fresh blood... sausage! We've tried German, French and even Vietnamese varieties of the delicacy. Here are three ways to get your iron fix. Read more
The price of a book
Holiday gift buyers in Berlin may notice that they’re just as likely to stop into the local corner bookshop as to seek out gifts on Amazon. But why is that? Thanks to a 125-year-old agreement-turned-law, independent booksellers in Germany thrive! Read more
Schlingensief: Art and life without division
INTERVIEW. Through the entire month of December, KW pays tribute to Berlin artist, actor, author and filmmaker Christoph Schlingensief with a full posthumous retrospective, curated by Anna-Catharina Gebbers and Susanne Pfeffer. Read more
Save Berlin: A snowball in hell
City West is one part of town that gentrification can forget... or so one would think. As the more-than-100-year-old Hotel Bogota shuts its doors, it’s clear that even here, the phenomenon can do lots of damage. Dan Borden mourns the hotel's demise. Read more
Give the gift of art
Before shelling out your last €50 at Urban Outfitters for that special something for that special someone, think about buying them some posters, prints or paraphernalia at one of these indie art shops. Read more
Christmas on the picket lines
This holiday season is strike season. Fighting back against low wages and poor conditions, Berlin’s shop workers are hitting retailers where it hurts in a slow but steady battle. Read more