Exile, hope and the revolutionary potential of cafés
he Berlin organisation querstadtein invites you to a unique city tour that takes you through Kreuzkölln and tells a story of exile, loss and hope.
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Terrasse mit Tisch
On the tour, Mahmoud, a refugee activist from Syria, gives a deep insight into his personal journey - from the colourful markets of his childhood in Syria to his new life in Berlin-Neukölln.
Entitled ‘Revolutionary Role of Cafés’, the tour is not only about the lived experience of migration, but also about the role of cafés as places of change, resistance and belonging.
‘For me, cafés were always more than just places to drink coffee,’ says Mahmoud. "They were meeting places for activists, spaces of resistance and change. But one day, this safe space became a place of danger. Today, cafés are places of refuge and new beginnings for me, which help me to connect with my new surroundings."
The tour leads through Kreuzkölln and connects Mahmoud's story with Berlin's urban history. It is not only about the political significance of meeting places and communities in times of crisis, but also about personal experiences of fear, loss and moments of hope that characterise life in exile. Mahmoud addresses the role of women in the Syrian revolution and in his family - and allows participants to share his personal story.
‘Revolutionary Role of Cafés’ is an invitation to a journey that goes far beyond an ordinary city tour. It is an opportunity to learn more about the lives of refugees and to gain deeper access to the political and cultural significance of places that are often overlooked.
Please note that registration via presse@querstadtein.org is required.
About the tour:
- Starting point: in front of Café Hanedan (Graefestraße 5, 10967 Berlin.)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Dates: Sunday, 27 April 14:00; Sunday, 25 May 14:00 (further dates on request)
- Language: English
