48 Hours Neukölln: Berlin’s Biggest Independent Art Festival

Berlin is known for its vibrant and diverse art scene, and one of the standout events in the city’s cultural calendar is the 48 Hours Neukölln festival. Celebrating its 25th edition this year, the festival brings together creatives from various disciplines to transform the streets of Neukölln into a playground of artistic expression. With the theme of “Play(ground),” this weekend-long extravaganza promises to be a fun-filled experience like no other.

Originating in 1999, 48 Hours Neukölln was initially conceived as a means to improve the district’s reputation. Over the years, it has evolved into a platform that showcases the district’s transformation and highlights its rich cultural heritage. The festival goes beyond traditional gallery spaces and embraces unconventional venues such as bars, Spätis (late-night convenience stores), industrial facilities, and even cemeteries. This inclusive approach reflects Neukölln’s tight-knit creative community and its commitment to fostering a sense of class solidarity and international bohemianism.

The festival features over 1,000 talented artists who will be exhibiting their work at 330 different locations throughout Neukölln. From street art to street wear, the festival offers a rich tapestry of creativity that draws tens of thousands of attendees each year. To help you navigate the extensive program, here are some of the highlights you won’t want to miss:

1. Ghetto Wrestling: This entertaining and comedic wrestling show invites participants to showcase their creativity and physical prowess in colorful costumes. With a master of ceremonies introducing each character and live musical performances adding to the excitement, Ghetto Wrestling promises to be a hilarious and unforgettable experience.
2. GRRL TELEPHONE: This interactive video art project features a chain of short videos created by over 80 artists in response to one another. The resulting film will be screened, followed by a Grrl Haus Party featuring performances by various pop, rock, and electronic artists.
3. Animal Architects: Canadian artist Christy Langer invites festival-goers to create their own sculptures using wool, string, and cotton provided at a street corner by Körnerpark. These individual creations will contribute to a collective work of art, symbolizing the concept of hive-intelligence observed in communal nest-building among birds.
4. The Sound of the Tarlabaşı: Music group X-Berg Kiz Meslek Chor will deliver a concert on the balcony of the Neukölln Opera House, reinterpreting Anatolian songs that reflect the cultural diversity of a district in danger of gentrification. The performance serves as a commentary on the socioeconomic changes occurring in Neukölln.
5. Meet Blind Photographers: Susanne Emmermann, Silja Korn, and Gerald Pirner, blind photographers themselves, will demonstrate their unique approach to visual art at the Neukölln Arcaden. Through interactive activities, participants will experience how the absence of eyesight can inspire the other senses and ignite the imagination.
6. Manifotzo: B-Lage, a bar located in Richardkiez, will host a feminist rebellion led by the kaboom collective. Through an irreverent “womanifesto” expressed through poetry, the event aims to reclaim derogatory patriarchal language and showcase the emancipatory power of feminist expression.

With its cross-disciplinary program featuring live music, stage performances, workshops, and a myriad of artistic expressions, 48 Hours Neukölln invites visitors to immerse themselves in the dynamic local art scene. This summer, mark your calendar for a weekend of creativity, community, and celebration at Berlin’s biggest independent art festival.