Sean P. Durham's Blog: Sean P. Durham
June 24, 2016
Bergmannkiez Fest 2016 in Berlin Kreuzberg
Brexit is done and dusted, the Berlin Brits are weeping – mostly. But, the Bergmannfest has kicked off and is now in full Swing. Jazz, Rock and Blues, Cultural Music from all over is filling the streets around Bergamnnkiez , Kreuzberg.
There are stages on every corner with bands taking a one hour stint to pump out the rhythm before the next band takes its place to change the feeling. It works, people are eating, drinking and just having a good time.
The heat is hanging in the air, clothes sticky and throats are very dry. I expect to see quiet a few lazy footed drunks by the end of the night but the mood is excellent so the drunks will be in good form.
Tomorrow, it continues. Same programme and same format. The market on Marheineke Platz will be there as usual. Doing a roaring trade in second hand goods. Books to old Vinyl records, second hand boots from your Granddad to trendy, home-made garments with style and panache. Check it out and be surprised by the selection on a good tip, very interesting Berlin Floh-Markt/Flea Market.
There are countless stalls to get your food and drink. Coffee and burgers, beer and Bratwurst – as you please, it’s all there. A full blown sit down meal is always a doable thing in the Bergmankiez. So, no problem there, for the hungry traveller.
chutney jars from Mixed Company in KreuzbergBe warned, the atmosphere is great. The amount of shows and bands to see can take you into a world of fun and crowd noise where time slips by and the night comes down without you noticing. So, if you spend time at the Bergmanfest this Weekend, don’t be surprised if you stay long enough to see the sun rise through blurry eyes.
June 19, 2016
A British Ex-Berliner makes a Good Point of Why the British should Stay In Europe.
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Jon Flynn
I CANNOT VOTE BUT WOULD VOTE REMAIN AS ANY INTELLIGENT PERSON WOULD
I was born in Birmingham in 1960. I lived 8 years in the wonderful city of London. In 1987 I left England not knowing if and when I would return. I then went on to live in Luxembourg, Berlin, a short stint in New York, and now Madrid.
Two English people led me to Berlin: David Bowie and Christopher Isherwood. Ironically, in Berlin I was a performer and now in Madrid I am a teacher.
I have advertised England and English for the last 28 years: from Bolan and Bowie to Burra and Burne Jones, from Bronte and Berkoff to Bond and Beowulf…and yes I still have an expensive UK passport. I am as English as a cup of tea despite disliking the beverage, but I cannot vote in the referendum. Shame.
In France, Spain and Germany I could vote in such a referendum. I live in Spain but cannot vote in this referendum yet citizens of Gibraltar can vote. Funny world.
I can only urge my friends to vote to remain in the European Union, should you choose to vote for Brexit, then I suppose we have nothing more in common.
Yes, vote for Brexit which may remove Cameron, but better the devil you know etc, as Gove and Johnson and the silly UKIP party are extreme right wing or the even sillier Nationalist parties that hate everyone…..and should this motley crew become powerful, then poor, poor England.
The UK has always been a place for individuals, eccentrics, thinkers, artists and democracy but that will be short lived.
SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? England does not have the Euro and is not in Schengen. UK is only half in anyway. People talk about immigrants, yet my Mother only talks about Somalians which SHOCK do not come from the European Union. People were angry with Scotland but back Brexit, funny old world.
But then again, I suppose if you read The Sun and admire Trump and Putin and extremists like Le Pen and be ruled by idiots like Boris Johnson and shoot a few politicians who have a different view to yours…then Brexit is the solution for you., but please do not moan about the consequences which may be severe. Please stop winging when slowly the money is taken out of the island. I can only hope that the British remember what Common Sense is. I never say anything political on Facebook but this time I must. I hope Britain remains.
A Day of Infamy Spectator Article: The Murder of Jo Cox and the Breaking Point caused by misinformation
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Written by Jon Flynn
Madrid, Spain.
June 18, 2016
Berlin’s Bergmannkiez and What to Do in Berlin
Second-Hand, Antique shops & Book shops around Bergmann Strasse.
Bergmann Strasse runs between Mehringdamm and Sudstern. It’s always been totally in for night-life and living. Recently, the development of property in Berlin has changed Bergmann Strasse so that it has taken on a commercial Boulevard feeling. There are plenty of clothes designers and book shops to visit. Food shops galore with anything from butchers to a palette of fine cheeses to find.
At the end of the street you walk into the “Marheineke Markthalle“, the Market hall which is situated at the beginning of Marheineke Platz. When you enter, you’ll see it’s all about food. Buying stuff to take home and sitting down at one of the many stand-up or stool cafés along the street window. Outside there are seats in the Berlin Sun with a long terrace that makes another good people watching situation.
Walking through the Market you can find all types of cheeses and fresh and packed meats to buy. At the far end of the hall you’ll find sweet things like cakes and cookies made by Deborah Cocking from mixedcompany.de Deborah makes fantastic chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and other sweet cakes that make the perfect take home to have with your tea or coffee. Or just buy one and eat it as you browse.
Go back out into the street,Friesenstraße 27, 10965 Berlin, and you’ll find the “Krimi Book Shop”, better known as Hammet-Krimibuchhandlung . They have a good selection of English language Books in room on the left of the shop. Most English language books, all crime related novels, are 3, – euros a piece. Not bad, can’t complain about the price.
Farther down the road, Bergmann Strasse, you’ll find the Antique Book Shop on the corner of Schenkendorfstraße and Bergmann Strasse. He’s been there forever. The store is full of very interesting old books and some new bestsellers which are normally in trays outside on the street. Inside there is a little cubby-hole where you can find some English Language books, mostly non-fiction, biographies and politics.
Bergmann Fest June 24-26 2016
The Bergmannkiez is a cool neighbourhood – people organise things. This month, June, is time for the (German) Bergmannfest. You can enjoy food, drink and music.
For example, Crazy Dog Alex & Friends will be playing on Friday 24th June at 18.25 till 19.35 in the Nostitz Strasse. Upper end of the street. There are a lot of bands and events happening and that means it’s all spread out around the Kiez (Barrio, neighbourhood,manor). At about the same time of day Maracatu Treff Perkussion & voc / Brasilien will be playing in Mehringdamm which is presented by GROOVE ZENTRUM FÜR PERCUSSION
At 20.00 hrs there is a Theatre piece called “Jurassica Parka – Late Night Xpress” , I don’t know either but I’m told it’s good fun. That’s a small chip of information about the many acts and theatre events happening during the three day Festival at Bergmann Kiez.
Festival runs between Friday the 24th of June and finishes on the 26th.
Jazz Sommer Berlin for Jazz fans in the street called Am Tempelhofer Berg just off Bergmann Strasse.
Viktoria Park
If you are out and about and want to get away from the traffic, take a walk into Viktoria Park and enjoy the climb to the top of the man-made mount. At the top you’ll find peace and quiete – unless there’s a school party hanging out there – and a great view across Berlin. You can see Alexander Platz and the surrounding area. Look down on the hidden gems of Berlin.
Don’t expect a café or refreshment at the top because it’s only a monument to look at and make the mind boggle. If you need a drink while you’re in the park, then Cafe Golgatha is on the other side, at the bottom of the hill.
One of the attractions of Viktoria Park is its man-made Waterfall. It runs from the very top and finishes in pool at the bottom right next to the street. Kreuzbergstrasse. The pool was built to look pretty. The designers imagined Berliners sitting around the edge making up poems and lovers embracing, alas, it’s a green and gooey pool of still water that I wouldn’t let a dog swim in. At least it doesn’t smell of green gooeiness.
Cafés for people-watching
The Bergmann Strasse which the centre of the whole area, offers coffe shops and cafés galore. It’s a great place for breakfast – a lot of people know that – that’s why it’s a busy place by 9 a.m. on a Saturday morning. You will find a seat, inside a café or outside on the terrace it’s always a pleasurable experience and excellent view point for people watching, book reading, eating toast and cheese or just having a hair of the dog.
Das Tempelhofer Feld
The old and famous Berlin Airport went out of service years ago. It’s all too close to the city centre and these days the residents of Tempelhof are happier without the sound of planes landing every twenty minutes.
Today, Tempelhofer Feld is a recreation area. Really good for families to take the kids and play ball, fly kites or just wander around the large expanse of green. Last time I asked, I was told that bar-B-Qs are okay, there is an area for grilling your Bratwurst and drinking a German brew.
If you go there, you’ll notice that the buildings, which are still in use by the Polizei, are all in a curved shape. The reason for this is that Hitler built the place. He decided that it would look cool from an aeroplane if the whole neighbourhood of Tempelhof was built to look like an Eagle. He only got as far as getting half a leg, several talons and the bottom part of an Eagle’s tail completed. Albert Speer, his architect had other business to attend to in 1945 and they had to terminate their plans.
Under the old airport is a maze of tunnels and bunkers. They were also built during the Second World War. I’ve been down there. It was dark and wet. the place was full of graffiti because for years people could get down there through air-shafts which can be found around the housing areas of Tempelhof. A piece of Graffiti I found was from the “Durham Light Infantry” and English Regiment from the same city. They left their mark after protecting and patrolling the Berlin Wall in the early eighties.
Das Amerika Gedenkbibliothek
Opened in 1954 as a present to the City of Berlin, It represents Freedom and Education.
Years ago the books were mostly in English. Today, the books serve the German public and are therefore in German. Never mind, if you can’t read German the Library also houses a good collection of DVDs of music and film. There’s a café inside tucked away in the far corner. Downstairs you’ll find a place for the kids to find interesting books and other kids looking at books; it’ll be noisy, sometimes. The library for adults is quiet. When you go in you’ll see that students use it for its correct purpose – study and research. Or, just hanging out reading the Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor.
On a hot day, or not, you can visit ice café http://www.vanille-marille.de/ and try their selection of ice creams. Belgium Fine-Chocolate, Premium Madagascar Vanilla, Peanut with home baked Brownies are just three of twenty sorts of ice-cream flavours that they offer. You’ll find something to tempt your palette.
If it’s food you want, then there’s no problem in the Bergmannkiez, the area is full of options for an evening out. Sit down and eat or find neat little bar were you can stand chat a while. Thai food, Italian, Mediterranean cuisine, and of course good old German Bratwurst and Currywurst are on offer along the Bergmann Strasse.
If you wander down to Mehringdamm around the U-Bahn area you will see “Curry-36” , a famous imbiss/street café that sells great currywurst and chips/french fries. The hook? The queue is always long – a good sign that the food is good.
Public transport U7 and the U6. These two underground train lines take you in all four directions. If you are heading to the former East side of Berlin, then the U7 will take you there within minutes. Prenzlauer Berg is about 25 minutes away. The Ku’damm is also only 20 minutes away at Adenauer Platz which is about half way along the Ku’damm and very close to clubs and bars.
Cool Memories of Living in Berlin now
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“Berlin is a cool place to be, to live and have fun”
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I wouldn’t argue with that statement. It was cool 35 years ago and it was cool and nervous after the Berlin Wall fell, and then it became Poor but Sexy according to the then Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit.
Today, I’d say it’s a cool city to live in because it’s full of people bringing great ideas here and trying them out. Berlin was always a creative place, artists flocked to Berlin during the 20th Century, in spite of Paris being the in location to be an artist.
Berlin was always “in”.
I was always hanging out with artists simply because I am an artist. Berlin brought the art out in me.
You can’t walk through the streets of Berlin and not feel the vibe of history. The mind starts to buzz with questions about the past. The 1920s, a time of legendary parties and decadence in Berlin. World War II , old buildings that were once Gestapo offices – Columbia Halle was once a Gestapo interrogation Centre, today it’s an entertainment venue -time passes and people find new uses for old things regardless of its history.
I came here in 1983. I was young and energetic and a British soldier. I remember landing in Gatow Airport which was the RAF base. We flew over Spandau and I thought that represented Berlin. It didn’t look too exciting, so I thought I’m glad that I’ll be out of here within 18 months. As the plane touched down a thought appeared in my mind. “This is going to be your story, your life – Berlin.” I mumbled to myself, ” no bloody way!”.
33 years later, I’m still here and glad of it. Berlin is cool and always will be.
I know, the artist in me finds the coolness in the streets of Berlin. Artists create, numbskulls walk on past and never see what’s really happening – they’re too busy getting things done, ticking things off their list for the day. Artists stop and look.
Young people get good ideas and bring them to Berlin. Start a business, make a few bucks, get some more start-up money and try and make the idea grow. It’s working, Berlin is thriving on ideas and start-ups, the streets are buzzing with coffee-shops and designer outlets. The latter is good combat against corporate T-shirt companies trying to dress us in logos and over-priced footwear.
We just need an army of innovative Designers to rule the streets and leave no room for corporate crap. Everybody needs clothes, but when the choice seems to be between a red and white T-shirt with a famous drinks logo on it or cheaply made but high priced pair of jeans that we have been told are totally in, then give me a neat little side-street where I can explore a few designer shops and find what I want; a well cut shirt, solid primary colour or a bright candy-stripe with a pin-down collar. Something like that to make me feel good. I can’t relate to fizzy drink T-shirts.
Style. That’s what Berlin always had. It has been in danger of losing it sometimes, but I’ve never seen or felt it totally lose the plot. The early 90s was a nervous time. People kept asking each other, “What’s going to happen?” – “Where’s Berlin going, are we losing our identity?”.
Style and plot. They’re two different things. Berlin can only follow its own plot, but each chapter might have a different vibe and rhythm to it. You can summarise a plot, but when you attempt to talk about plot in detail you tell a story. Tell a story and the plot is an underlying structure – it’s in there somewhere.
I do a lot of walking around Berlin. I love it. Just looking at stuff, like buildings and streets. I can walk down a street and tell you about house number 24 in so-and-so strasse. Today, we see a coffee-shop with the self-acclaimed Barister of baristers standing behind the counter, dishing out her perfectly brewed cup of Java. I’ll tell you that I remember the place when it was a bar, back in the day, when people were drinking themselves to death after work. The place was full of hard men, blaggards and little criminals. The perfect hang-out for an artist on the look-out for a story or wild painting. Back then, you would walk where angels feared to tread. That was night life in Berlin. Hard drinking, and careless unions of lonely souls looking for the next line in their stories.
June 12, 2016
EURO 2016 Berlin Fanmeile and lots of Fun
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Are You looking for an exciting and noisy place to watch the Euro 2016 Football?
The Berlin “Fanmeile” along Strasse Des 17. Juni is Germany’s largest football viewing location. which you can find between Große Querallee and Brandenburg Gate during the European Championship in 2016
The street is set-up to ensure that everybody gets a great view of the football with large screens at every angle.
The main screen with stage is directly at Brandenburg Gate with another six screens along the road. Plenty of space for everybody but definitely a crowd puller – so don’t expect to find a private space for a picnic, it’s all about Football, Beer and Bratwurst, or Berlin Burgers.
The Fanmeile will show all German matches which will mean that it’s active on these dates; 12, 16, 21 June 2016.
The last sixteen matches of Euro Champions will be shown as will the Quarter Final, The Semi and the Final Match on the 10th of July.
Don’t forget that we live in high security days so you’ll be checked at the entrance points for sharp instruments or anything that looks dangerous and dodgy will be taken away from you. No animals and, of course, you can’t walk in with your own food or drink in hand. They want you to spend money.
There is music entertainment before and after the matches with a DJ, talk shows and “Live entertainment”. Closing time is midnight
Entrance is free. You can get to the Fanmeile from the Siegessäule end of the street. If you’re planning to get off the Ubahn at Brandenburg Tor or Tiergarten, get there early enough to get in, and to avoid the station closure due to over-crowding.
Entrances
Straße des 17. Juni between Yitzhak-Rabin-Straße and Großer Stern
Yitzhak-Rabin-Straße near Scheidemannstraße
Ebertstraße north of Brandenburg Gate
Ebertstraße south of Brandenburg Gate
Organisers have stated that when the area is full the gates will close and no more entrance will be allowed.
So, get there early, expect it to be crowded and noisey – fun like, Berlin noise – find a comfortable spot and watch Germany thrash everybody – or not.
June 11, 2016
Writer Quotes for Writers
“I seldom end up where I wanted to go, but almost always end up where I need to be.”
Douglas Adams
“Education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is.”
Isac Asimov
“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” So finally I would write one true sentence, and then go on from there. It was easy then because there was always one true sentence that I knew or had seen or had heard someone say.”
“It was in that room too that I learned not to think about anything that I was writing from the time I stopped writing until I started again the next day. That way my subconscious would be working on it and at the same time I would be listening to other people and noticing everything.”
Ernest Hemingway
English Book Shops in Berlin
There has always been the possibility of buying Books in the English language in Berlin.
Years ago it was Marga Schoeller in Knesebeck Strasse, Charlottenburg. So long as you were looking for literature you would find something to take away with you.
Then in the 90s FNAC opened an enormous book shop on the corner of Ranke Strasse. It was great, you could browse the bestsellers and pick up some U-Bahn reading.
These days the city of Berlin has book shops galore, many of them are second-hand and full of English language books of both Literature and bestseller door-stoppers to keep you awake at night.
Prices vary on second hand stuff, it’s not like the old days when people were happy to get rid of old things and sell it off for a few pennies. More like just a few pennies knocked off the retail price on a book that has really done the rounds and been read ten times.
1. St. Georges Book Shop in Prenzlauer Berg was founded in 2003 by two brothers, Paul and Daniel.
They receive regular shipments of used books books from the U.K. and the U.S.A. which keeps their shelves truly bulging with stock. My own visits have always been a positive experience in that I’ll be looking for a particular title and it’ll be there. That’s always a reason to keep coming back for more.
St.Georges is open Monday till Saturday 11 a.m. till 8 p.m. Saturdays 5 p.m.
There are really too many book shops to mention on one page, but if you wander through the streets of Berlin you are bound to come across a book shop which will have English language books stacked on the shelves somewhere.
New books in English can be found at Dussman in Friedrich Strasse,90. Found at the corner of Unter den Linden.
2.Dussman is a German bookshop with several floors. The ground floor houses the English Book Shop which can be found at the very back of the shop on the right. Two floors and a great selection of books to get lost in, you could spend time there browsing the different sections of fiction and non-fiction books.
3.Take a trip to Kruezberg and wander along the Riemannstraße to door number 7 and you’ll end up in Another Country. A wonderful and friendly labyrinth of paperbacks. Two rooms full of some of the finest stories ever written.
Not much in the way of trash-books because the owner is choosy about wasting shelf space with the latest bestsellers. Yet, you’ll find plenty of modern fiction by well known authors who know how to tell a good story.
4.Walk to the end of Riemann Strasse and turn right towards Bergman Strasse and you’ll find Hammet Bookshop on the corner of Friesen Strasse. They’re all about German Krimis, but take a peek in the side room and you’ll discover a few shelves of Crime and Mystery books in English, second hand. Most books are about 3,- euros each.
Berlin is an interesting city for walking around – winter or summer it has a character that should be experienced in all seasons.
Snooping about for bookshops is fun and there’s plenty of them in Berlin. Be prepared to return home with a bag full of second hand books, there’s always something tempting to take home with you.
April 25, 2016
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April 24, 2016
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April 23, 2016
How to Stay Organised with your Writing
Sean P. Durham
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