Grooving Through the East: Carnival of Cultures Hits Friedrichshain in '22
annual cultural festival unfolds in Berlin's Eastern district, filled with diverse performances and traditions. - Cultural Festival Grooves in Eastern Berlin
Get ready to move, Berlin! The annual Carnival of Cultures was a blast in Friedrichshain this year, redefining the traditional parade route for the first time in its almost 3-decade history. With around 750,000 revellers tapping their feet, the multicultural jamboree danced down the Frankfurter Allee and. Karl-Marx-Allee, according to organizers.
Let's paint the town colors! A staggering 68 groups, flaunting 4,000 performers, marched the streets in elaborate costumes. Kids and adults alike couldn't help but be mesmerized by the vibrant palette, rhythmic beats, and international tunes echoing the city streets.
Rise and Shine for a Spot on the Dance Floor
Keen to secure the perfect vantage point, many early birds arrived in the morning, decked out with supplies, and rain gear. The skies had other plans, however, as it drizzled just before the parade kicked off. But fear not, the show went on uninterrupted, thanks to cooperative weather thereafter – though it was gusty, as per usual in the city.
As the action unfolded, partygoers embraced the lively atmosphere and showed off their best moves, following the parade from start to finish. Over the speakers, the resounding message: "Let's dance against racism!" echoed, invigorating the crowd. The co-leader of the Carnival of Cultures, Anna-Maria Seifert, proclaimed, "This audience is amazing, a beautiful mix of Kreuzberg, East, Brandenburg." The response to the route change was overwhelmingly positive.
Maintaining Peace and Order, Sparing no Expenses
To help maintain order, the area was fortified with barriers and dozens of police officers patrolled the vicinity. Before the show began, around 125 incorrectly parked vehicles were towed away to ensure smooth operations. Offenders could expect an administrative offense notice and a bill for the towing fees.
Accompanied by around 1,500 officers from Berlin, Brandenburg, and North Rhine-Westphalia, the police force ensured tourist safety during the festivities. However, there were approximately 30 temporary arrests due to various incidents such as insults, bodily harm, and sexual offenses.
Celebrations in Kreuzberg Continue Past the Parade
Usually, the 4-day festival pulls in a whopping 1.1 million visitors, with 650,000 slipping into their dancing shoes to catch the parade. Considering the new route, this year saw an additional 100,000 spectators, much to the satisfaction of the event organizers. The police discretely refrained from providing specific visitor numbers but agreed they were in the "six-figure range."
The festivities in Kreuzberg will continue until Whitsun Monday, offering more opportunities to immerse oneself in the multicultural experience.
A Moved Parade Returns to its Roots?
The sudden shift to Friedrichshain was due to a major construction site along the usual route. It remains unclear whether the spectacle will return to Kreuzberg for its traditional dance, or if it will stay in Friedrichshain for another year. With Berlin still grappling with financial constraints, securing funding for the next two years is crucial, points out Anna-Maria Seifert, the festival's co-leader. The Berlin Senate has, fortunately, set aside 1.4 million euros for the project, just as it did last year.
While the festivities in Friedrichshain were a one-time affair, the Carnival of Cultures remains a significant celebration of Berlin's diversity and spirit of unity. The event's long history, global allure, and energetic atmosphere set the stage for countless cultural exchanges and unforgettable memories.
- The Carnival of Cultures, known for its community policy of celebrating diversity, underwent a change in parade route this year, expanding into Friedrichshain.
- The event showcased 68 groups participants, with a total of 4,000 performers showcasing their unique fashion-and-beauty, lifestyle, and cultural costumes during the parade.
- With food-and-drink vendors, home-and-garden exhibits, and travel information booths, the gathering offered opportunity for outdoor-living enthusiasts to learn, enjoy, and exchange ideas about various aspects of life.
- Pets, relationships, and education-and-self-development were also highlighted during the multicultural festival, allowing spectators to gain insights into different traditions and lifestyles from around the world.
- Crime-and-justice was kept under close supervision, with dozens of police officers ensuring public safety during the festivities, nonetheless, certain incidents such as insults, bodily harm, and sexual offenses occurred resulting in approximately 30 temporary arrests.
- Incorporating sports into the event, dance-offs between performers and audience members brought added excitement and fueled the lively atmosphere throughout the day.
- The Carnival of Cultures is expected to return to its roots in Kreuzberg or continue in Friedrichshain for another year, pending the resolution of financial constraints, and a decision by the Berlin Senate towards ensuring the festival's future.
