OH Berlin

When you visit a new city it feels almost obligatory to visit at least one museum in that must get a ´little culture´ into the general remit of sightseeing. But what are the museums worth seeing in Berlin?

Well for starters the obvious choice is the superb Pergamonmuseum. Situated on the conveniently designed Museum Island the Pergamon is one of a number of excellent museums in close proximity in the area which has UNESCO World Heritage status.

Another ´must see´ is the Jewish Museum. The Daniel Libeskind designed building is very interesting from an architectural perspective due to its striking exterior and non-conventional interior layout. The permanent exhibition is very well put together and is informative and insightful.

What used to be a fully operating Stasi Prison is today a fascinating memorial. The tours given around the Hohenschönhausen prison by former inmates are absorbing as they are chilling. Probably one of the best tours you can take to get a fuller appreciation and understanding of the climate that many Berliners had to endure under the GDR.

Read the full Top 10 Berlin museums article at the Oh-Berlin blog. You can also get more Berlin related news and content at the Oh-Berlin Facebook and Twitter pages.

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In a hectic week or so Oh-Berlin completed a cultural odyssey in checking out some of the best performing art venues in the city. Here´s what we found out.

We had never been to the opera and ballet before so this would be totally new ground. We took in a production of Die Bajadere, which had an Indian theme to it, which we really enjoyable. Seeing thirty or so perfectly poised ballerinas moving with such grace in intricate dance formations is an impressive sight. The Deutsche Oper is a fantastic looking venue with the interior and design particularly handsome.   The stage designs and changes were quick and looked great. If good art has the power to lift your spirits then a night of ballet at the Deutsche Oper definitely met that criteria for us.

A chance to see the world famous Berlin Philharmonic at the Philiharmonie made for a special evening. An evident warm glow exuding from all those at the Philharmonie.

Of we went to see Madame Butterfly at Im Schiller Theatre in what was a pretty rousing performance. The main auditorium is also something we really liked as it had a cosy and intimate feel to it for visitors.

See the full 10 Best Places to Catch Performing Arts in Berlin article at the Oh-Berlin blog.

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Oh-Berlin set off to visit the Jewish Museum Berlin intrigued by the Daniel Libeskind architecture and wondering how we would judge the permanent exhibition it housed.

We found the unusual Daniel Libeskind design of the Jewish Museum a challenge in trying to grasp what it possibly symbolised and how it related to the exhibition. The unique conceptual aspect is typically not something you have to take into consideration in most museums.

Many people will have a familiarity with the Holocaust and the treatment of Jews leading up to and during wartime but the exhibition covers the plight of the Jewish peoples historically from the earliest times and around the world. It is hugely informative and engaging. The main exhibition rooms are easy to navigate through and really well planned out.

Some of the most moving parts in the exhibition are provided by personal items, letters, pictures, clothing and possessions from those that suffered loss of friends, family members or their own life.

The personal stories told through possessions and documents or written texts were unbearably sad at times as the personalisation aspect invokes greater empathy. Daniel Libeskind´s interior design is also definitely worth trying to engage with even though interpretations may be difficult at times the structure of the building is an integral aspect to the exhibition.

A moving and fascinating insight into Jewish history.

Read our full review of the Jewish Museum Berlin at the Oh-Berlin Blog

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Berlin has a pretty lively jazz scene. Pretty much every day of the week you will have jazz playing somewhere in the city. Type of jazz played can range from the more traditional and earlier forms to the more experimental and improvised.

Tuesday nights at Edelweiss for instance have built up a reputation for some great jam sessions. Expect an international crowd at this venue in the middle of Görlitzer Park.

Super popular on Wednesday nights is the free jam sessions at b-flat on Rosenthaler Strasse. The session kicks of around 9pm but it´s worth getting there at least an hour early to bag a seat for the evening as its standing room only later.

If you are looking for some fine dining with your jazz then head for the Asphalt club situated right next to the elegant Gendarmenmarkt.

Looking towards later in the year and Berlin will host Jazz Fest an international annual event on the jazz calendar. The four day festival will showcase a diverse collection of styles and genres.

Read the full Jazz in Berlin feature at the Oh-Berlin blog.

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If you arrive in a new city there is a good chance that you are looking to experience and understand some of the local culture. So what should you do or look out for in the pursuit of the typical Berlin?

If you encounter a native Berliner you might just get to see a bit of Berlin Schnauze referring to the fact that the local people often stand out for their relentless frankness, and may often be perceived as out of place or rude by those not from the city. Berliners do not waste their time sucking up to people; they simply get straight to the point. So don´t take it personally.

Got a bit of a sweet tooth? Well, you just have to try the Pfannkuchen, a baked pastry glazed on hot oil and stuffed with jam. Apparently the Pfannkuchen was invented in 1756 by a Berlin bakery. Even if this was not the case it is quite impossible to visit a Berlin patisserie without finding one of these little round cakes.

How about washing your pastry down with a fizzy drink that has natural ingredients of fruit and herbs? Fassbrause was invented in Berlin in 1908 by Ludwig Scholvien. It is even more typical to taste the original Schultheisser Fassbrause from the Hasenschenke kiosk in the area of Hasenheide.

Read the full Typical Berlin article at the Oh-Berlin blog.

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Schinkel is what Bernini is to Rome. You just can´t walk around the city without seeing examples of his work.

A prolific renowned architect Schinkel created 40 major works of which 17 remain today. Unfortunately a number of his buildings fell victim to ‘symbolic demolition’ at the hands of occupying forces in the city throughout the last two centuries. Nonetheless, the ones that did survive are a huge pull for visitors every year.

Central Berlin is home to a number of Schinkel’s greatest achievements, the most central of these clustered together. Bear in mind these works are interesting both outside and in so you really could spend a whole day looking around them properly.

Schinkel was heavily influenced and inspired by his mentor and hero Friedrich Gilly.  Schinkel would in fact live in the Gilly household in Berlin and was taught by Friedrich and Friedrich’s architect father

David Gilly. He would later adhere to the neoclassical style of architecture.

Two of Schinkel´s most famous works are the Altes Musuem and the Konzerthaus Berlin a concert hall situated on the Gendarmenmarkt.

Schinkel died on October 1841 and is buried at the Dorotheenstadt cemetery in Berlin.

Read the full article about Karl Friedrich Schinkel at the Oh-Berlin blog.

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Berlin´s history is part of what makes it such a fascinating city to visit.   Of course there are essential places of interest such as the Topography of Terror, documentation of the Nazi regime, and the Holocaust memorial, striking memorial & exhibition dedicated  to Jews who suffered under the Nazis, among others but one of the best tours that we can highly recommend is a visit to the ex Stasi prison Hohenschönhausen.
Many will know about the Berlin Wall and its toppling on a certain level but you really get an insight into how disturbing, unsettling and tragic life was for East Berliners when you take the riveting Hohenschönhausen tour.

Our excellent tour guide for the visit was Gritt. She explained how her father wanting to find out about records that were kept about him by the Stasi had been the catalyst for her getting involved in the tours. In her father´s case he found out that a friend of 20 years was on record talking about him. Having files held about you was one thing but if the authorities summoned or detained you at Hohenschönhausen this was a very different story.
You can read the full Secrets, lies & torture article at the Oh-Berlin blog.

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Finding your way around a new culture in a new city is always a bit tricky. Is it a handshake, a kiss, a double or even triple kiss or no kiss at all? What’s acceptable, what’s frowned on, what’s lost in translation? It can all leave you feeling a little awkward as you try not to make that social faux pas.

Berlin is no different. Even as one of most liberal and tolerant cities it still definitely has its codes and cultural norms that are worth knowing or being aware of.

If you have found yourself being stared at don’t worry it’s just a healthy curiosity that Berliners have. Likewise if you appear to meet someone who comes across as a little brash or offish don’t worry that’s just Berliner Schnauze, don’t be alarmed it´s not you and you will get used to it and maybe even adopt it yourself.

You will soon notice that Berlin is a cash culture and your beloved credit card want get your very far in shops, bars or restaurants. Also a lot of shops close at the weekends. On the plus side think of all those credit cards bills you won´t be running up.

Read our guide to do´s and don´ts in Berlin.

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Best known for his movie Kids Larry Clark has never shied away from thought provoking subjects.

The 1995 acclaimed movie Kids fired director Clark into a greater public consciousness with his depiction of teenagers indulging in sex and drug taking within the growing HIV era in the 1990s.

Some would have known Clark from his photography work before which included the publication of Tulsa in 1971. Again challenging themes of drug taking, casual sex and gunplay were Clark´s main focus.

This weekend will see Clark being shown in Germany for the first time as C/O Berlin showcase an exhibition with approximately 200 works of Clark’s, including the series “Teenage Lust“ and “Los Angeles“, along with additional videos and unpublished collages.

If you have not yet visited C/O Berlin you really should. It´s a great place for superb photography exhibitions all the year round. It also hosts notable guest lectures and excellent workshops for children of all ages.

The current C/O building is also one of the most beautiful old buildings in Berlin. It was once used as the royal post office (Postfuhramt) that dates back to 1881.

Find out more about C/O Berlin at Oh-Berlin blog.

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