Berlin's diversity celebrates: Carnival of cultures attracts 650,000 visitors!

Berlin's diversity celebrates: Carnival of cultures attracts 650,000 visitors!

The Carnival of Cultures in Berlin is a melting pot from music, dance and joint celebrations that attract thousands of people year after year. From Friday to Monday during the Pentecost weekend, the capital, full of colorful attractions and cultural diversity, gathers. This year's event takes place at Blucherplatz in Kreuzberg and reaches its climax with a parade on Pentecost Sunday.

The parade starts at 1:30 p.m. and runs over a distance of about three kilometers. It begins at Frankfurter Allee/Proskauer Straße and ends around 7 p.m. on Karl-Marx-Allee/Berolina Straße. Overall, the organizers are looking forward to the participation of 68 groups, which are represented with over 4,000 actors. It is particularly noteworthy that 13 teams are there for the first time and that 22 groups consist exclusively of Berliners. Last year, around 1.1 million people celebrated this festival, while around 650,000 spectators are expected for 2024. rbb24 reports .

variety and community

The carnival of cultures was launched in 1996 and has been committed to diversity and peaceful coexistence since then. The origin of the festival was the reaction to xenophobic riots, such as in Rostock-Lichtenhagen. This cultural expression has developed into a symbol of a free and pluralistic society that shows the creative and integrative work of the participating communities. Especially people for different cultural backgrounds are invited to make their concerns visible and present their cultural roots. Karneval Berlin informed .

accompanied by musical performances from various genres, including Anatolian Jazz, Afrobeat and Balkan Beats, the four-day street festival also offers a wide range of culinary delights and handicrafts. The "Shanti Town" area also promotes sustainable practices and environmentally friendly food. The entire event is free and enables various Berlin communities to come together in a friendly atmosphere.

safety precautions and challenges

To ensure the security of all participants and spectators, the event is supported by around 1,300 police officers. The police have developed a comprehensive security concept that will be given special attention this year. Forbidden objects such as bicycles, large bags, glass bottles, alcohol, weapons and pyrotechnic objects are not allowed. In addition, several preventive measures were called to ensure peaceful celebrations.

Unfortunately, there are also different opinions among residents. While many enjoy the event and the atmosphere, others express concerns about noise and garbage. These mixed feelings not only accompany the festival this year, but are also a well -known topic. Despite the challenges, the festival remains a highlight of the Berlin cultural calendar and a magnet for visitors from near and far. Tagesspiegel reports .