At first we were surprised, maybe even frightened by the news and pictures from China. But for a long time we didn't want to and couldn't believe it completely. And then the Corona crisis hit us with full force. On Friday 13 March Berlin was more or less closed down. But the Berliners* don't let themselves be beaten down, they keep going, with music and culture, some sassy and snotty, but always in solidarity. Join us on an Instagram exploration through the recent Berlin history and the most memorable moments of recent times.
The longest Kickline ever
Friedrichstadt-Palast just put together the longest #Kickline in the world. Featuring almost 200 colleagues and members of the young ensemble the online performance is an extraordinary portion of joie de vivre. Intendant Berndt Schmidt sets the beat, the message #stayVIVID. Feel free to join the movement, start kicking the #stayhome blues!
Digital Training Sessions from Berlin
Opera singer gives spontaneous concert in Schöneberg
No, not only the Italians can celebrate the beauty of the moment with their vocal power. Anna Prohaska, soprano at the Berlin State Opera, gave her neighbours in Schöneberg a spontaneous concert. The mini-documentary followed immediately, of course. Because the media are also currently happy to report on anything that gives a little hope.
Somewhere over the Rainbow
If you are in the mood for more classical music, you will of course also find it on our site. On our blog we collect all digital offers and livestreams from Berlin for you. By the way, the first big broadcast of "Carmen" live from the Staatsoper Unter den Linden by rbb was watched by 160,000 people. You can find more digital concerts here:
Classical music in times of crisis
Message from the Charité Berlin
"Take the situation seriously." This is the message from the intensive care unit at Charité. There are 2000 intensive care beds in the city (source: rbb of 16 March). A new hospital for corona patients is to be built on the exhibition grounds. Doctors and nurses work tirelessly - in all the city's clinics.
The Charité and other series in which Berlin plays the leading role
We'll be here for you. You stay home for us, please!
A huge thank you also from us, and another tip: You can send power packs to hospital staff via the Kreuzberg restaurant Barcomis. Of course we also have tips on how to cook for yourself. But now a round of applause.
Applause for Doctors and Nurses
The solidarity between young and old between neighbours, colleagues and everywhere in the city is simply incredible. As if out of nowhere, gift fences (Gabenzäune) have sprung up in the city.
Gift fence at Boxhagener Platz
There are currently about 50 such gift fences in Berlin. Where exactly they are can be found on this interactive map. Further possibilities to support your community and your neighbours can be found here:
Neighbourhood assistance in Berlin
The Berlin police reports an overall drop in the crime rate
Tirelessly they ask people in parks and on streets to keep the minimum distance. "Let's face it: it's not an easy time right now, not for anyone, but if we grit our teeth and stick together now, it will pass," writes the Berlin police on their Instagram channel. After all, the daily newspapers are reporting an overall drop in the crime rate.
Current information about the situation in Berlin
Who left their valuables in the M85?
Yes, the toilet paper. Who's not wondering where it went? According to retail statistics, sales of the paper rolls increased by 700 percent. Amazon is said to have taken out retailers with overpriced offers. Anyone who is a real Berliner knows how to help himself, for example Joab Nist from Notes of Berlin.
Where you can go shopping right now
Notes of Berlin
And because we are already talking about the flowers and the bees, we don't want to withhold a video about our cutest city dwellers from you. Directly from the Berlin Zoo.
Panda Paule shows how to keep fit
In fact, sport and exercise are important to stay mentally healthy in these times. Numerous yoga and fitness studios in the city are therefore currently bringing many offers directly into your living room, for example ALBA, which posts a digital sports lesson for schoolchildren* every day.
More about the Pandas at Zoo Berlin
The Challenge with Alba Athletic Trainer Fab
That looks pretty tough. You might want to start off with some yoga exercises first. Or you could try your hand at virtual nightlife.
Digital Training Sessions from Berlin
United we Stream & Stay Home Club Berlin
With United We Stream the Berlins club scene is sending the vibes of Berlins most legendary clubs directly into your living room. Now you can order the party supplies and drinks from Stay Home Club Berlin, an association of several Berlin beverage producers, and support the participating clubs.
Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises
Immediate help also came from the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises. As of April 1 (and this is no April joke), the Senate Administration has already been able to help over 100,000 self-employed and freelancers with Emergency Aid II.
Support for Berlin's Businesses
"Ode to Joy"
Music connects. And so the musicians of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin played Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" together with many other musicians all over Germany. The German Orchestra Foundation called for this event on March 22. The foundation ensures that particularly needy musicians will also be supported during these times.
Berlin stages keep playing online
The Stadtmuseum looks into the past
The Plague Doctor is one of the highlight objects in the current exhibition of the Stadtmuseum, BerlinZeit. Like all other exhibitions and venues, the Stadtmuseum is of course currently closed. At least you can visit it virtually.
Igor Levit is biting his teeth
"Going full Jimmy Hendrix" is what the pianist Igor Levit wrote under this Instagram post. Every day he plays for his fans on Instagram and Twitter, recently even backwards or as in the picture above, with his teeth. Well, what are Corona and curfew doing with you guys?
The Berlin-Program for your living room
Theo sends the Corona virus on vacation forever
The five year old Theo sent this Easter wish to radioeins. And we cannot agree more. We are also happy about all the beautiful, colourful chalk pictures that are currently showing up on every piece of asphalt in the city. Stay healthy, hold on and send us your own Berlin moments. Because it's the moments that count - however long this crisis may last. It will pass.
Take care of each other!
Stay healthy and please stay home when...
- it is not absolutely necessary to go out
And here you will find an overview of the current situation in Berlin.
