How One Woman Changed Berlin
In keeping with this year’s theme, “The Power of Women,” the Theater im Palais Berlin, as part of its series on Berlin personalities, is shining a spotlight on an almost forgotten woman whose achievements in 19th-century Berlin seem almost miraculous: the writer, women’s rights advocate, and social activist Lina Morgenstern.
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LINA MORGENSTERN
Defying all sociopolitical opposition, this Jewish woman—born in Breslau, Prussia—founded her first charitable organization at the age of 18, wrote several bestsellers, launched the first newspaper by women for women, and organized the first International Women’s Congress in Germany, attracting attendees from around the world. She became famous not least for the Berlin soup kitchens she initiated, which earned her the nickname “Suppenlina.”
The multi-award-winning author and filmmaker Gerhard J. Rekel, who works for Terra X, Arte, and ARD, among others, brings Lina Morgenstern’s fascinating life to the stage based on new archival discoveries and two years of research—played by Alina Gause, who is also responsible for the music in the play.
Joining her on stage are Carl Martin Spengler and Dennis Weissert, whom you may recognize from the in-house production “Georg Kreisler: Adam Schaf hat Angst.” The two portray Lina Morgenstern’s companions and adversaries, who demanded all her courage and ingenuity as she helped shape socio-political life.
Experience this production about an extraordinary woman whose work had a lasting impact on Berlin!
