Last time, we spoke about power and the evolution of the newly established Berlin Urban Theater—not only discussing its latest production, but also touching on the quiet process of integration happening in the background. Today, let’s take a closer look—at both the theatre’s journey and the bright side of power: the power of giving.
Language — or “Loque ud te videm!”
Two years ago, Urban Theater staged a true Tower of Babel: their debut production blended seven languages into one play. A year later, the story was told in two – German and Russian – reflecting the protagonist’s bicultural background. The most recent piece? Almost entirely in German, with sprinkles of other languages throughout - very Berlin, very wunderbar.
But this evolution isn’t just stylistic. Jokes aside, language is a gateway: it opens a whole new dimension for exploring, relating, and belonging when you're building a life (let alone a theatre) abroad. Watching a diverse cast of actors united by a shared language – and knowing how much work went into making that possible – gave me a whole new level of appreciation for what unfolded on stage.
Cultural Landscape – or “How do you spell Berlin? C-U-L-T-U-R-E!”
They say there are about 500 theatres in Berlin. I haven’t counted them, but even if that’s an exaggeration, it’s not by much. Still, step by step, Urban Theater has carved out a space for itself. Their latest production wasn’t just hosted in a respected venue—it was developed in cooperation with the Berlin Globe Theatre. But more on that another time.
Institutionalization – or de facto becomes de jure
The final – and often overlooked – dimension of integration is institutionalization: becoming formal, legitimate, official. With its newly established status, Urban Theater has stepped out of the twilight of “emerging” and into the daylight of “recognized.” Among the first supporters? The Lions Club Berlin-Spandau.
Which brings me to something close to my heart.
Christmas in June? Absolutely.
Yes, the weekend was hot. Yes, it’s only June. But if you’ve ever tried to organize anything for December, you know: now is the time. Soon, summer will swallow two months in one bite, the next two will fly by – and before you know it, you’ll be debating whether to invite Aunt Mable to the party, or just throw it at her place instead.
That’s why June is the perfect time to talk about one of the Lions Club Spandau’s most delightful initiatives: their annual Advent Calendar campaign. It ticks more boxes than you’d expect.
It raises substantial funds for local social projects. It gives smaller organizations a platform and visibility. And most importantly, it gives individuals, sponsors, and local businesses the opportunity to take part in a beautiful act of giving.
Participation matters.
Time and again, science confirms that a sense of control, agency, and belonging is fundamental to well-being. When global events feel overwhelming or problems seem far too big to tackle, local initiatives like this one can reconnect us – to each other, and to a sense of purpose.
Giving doesn’t just help others. It restores our own meaning. Staying true to the motto “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something,” I’ll be joining the calendar for the third time this year – and I warmly invite you to come along.
The more the merrier. Let it rain. Let it snow. Let it smile. Feel free to reach out to me for more details!
