“48 Hours Neukölln”: Why you should visit the festival

The social media community recently advised people to avoid Neukölln, as my colleague reported . That doesn't apply to this weekend: The "48 Hours Neukölln " festival, the most successful cultural event the district has ever produced, is taking place for the 27th time. Last year, it attracted 100,000 visitors.

This year's festival theme is "WTF (what the fact)? Between truth and perception." It explores the question of how we construct reality and who actually has a say in it. But the seemingly endless program is, above all, open. Around 900 artists are involved, offering theater, music, film screenings, art, and performances. You can simply drift through the streets of Nordneukölln, or you can make a proper plan using the program overview , but most importantly, you can engage in conversation with the artists.

Even Neukölln residents can make discoveries

To name two favorite program items: The Sophie Trost Combo will be performing at the Evangelical Brethren Congregation on Saturday. The young singer and her musicians will play acoustic pop with swing, chanson, and world music influences. Sophie Trost processes what moves her in her songs. The festival could conclude with a musical evening late Sunday afternoon at St. Paul's Church, featuring music from the trombone choir and the band of the St. Paul's Congregation in Neukölln.

Even Neukölln residents can make discoveries here, as doors that would otherwise be closed are open: doors to studios, backyards, even apartments. The official opening will take place this year on Friday evening in one of Berlin's most beautiful parks, Körnerpark, a former gravel pit donated by its then owner, Rixdorf. This festival, too, is a gift to Neukölln, to the city, and its visitors.