Final of the Shtetl Berlin Festival 2025 (June 10–15)

The grand finale of the Shtetl Berlin Festival 2025 (June 10–15) on the beautiful open-air stage of the ufaFabrik: From Latvian-Jewish experimental folklore to an oriental-psychedelic dance party – this evening will be unforgettable!

After the concert, there will be a lavish dance ball with the Shtetl Berlin House Band and international dance masters. Bring your instrument – and stay for the after-party and jam session!

Black Rooster Kapelye

Black Rooster Kapelye brings to life Jewish and Latvian folk songs collected around the turn of the century by composer Emilis Melngailis. Their debut album, Vos Mir Zaynen ("Who We Are"), was released on Lauska Records in December 2024.

With lyrics in Latvian, Latgalian, Lithuanian, and Yiddish, the album explores identity and belonging – musically realized with violin, accordion, Latvian zither, bagpipes, electric guitar, and rousing, multi-part vocals.

By combining in-depth archival research with modern sounds, the band builds a bridge between past and present, musically traversing centuries of shared experiences.

Cherry Bandora

Cherry Bandora is an Oriental Jewish princess with a rebellious soul. The urban underground belly dancer found her golden band on the streets and markets of Berlin – with a sound that reinterprets Mediterranean classics from the 1950s and 60s with surf rock influences.

Among songs about alcohol, hashish, and the wild life of an outsider, her songs primarily tell of broken hearts and desperate love – poetically sung in Greek, rhythmic Turkish, and Hebrew slang.

Her unmistakable style is created by an explosive blend of Greek blues guitar, bouzouki, and psychedelic Hammond organ – carried by energetic Middle Eastern grooves. Her bittersweet voice floats above it like an ornamental arrow that strikes directly to the heart.

Shtetl Berlin House Band
Szilvia Csaranko – Piano
Christian Dawid – Tuba
Emil Goldschmidt – Clarinet
Sanne Möricke – Accordion
Ilya Shneyveys – Drums

+ Special Guests

The Shtetl Berlin Festival – June 10–15, 2025

Shtetl Berlin – the independent festival for Yiddish music, art, and culture – presents its largest and most Yiddish edition yet. Born from sweaty jam sessions, long jokes, and an ever-growing group of cosmopolitan artists who care deeply about art, life, community, and the joy of a truly good song, this festival is a loving homage to the rich Jewish-Eastern European cultural heritage.

At the same time, it is a forward-looking gathering for the communication, development, and presentation of progressive Yiddish culture—and a celebration of Berlin's diverse community and its historical connection to Yiddish.

Program:

• Three major concert evenings on June 12, 14, and 15

• A lavish dance to close the festival on June 15

• A secular, community-oriented, and free Shabbat gathering on June 13

• Several official jam sessions

• A theater premiere

• A new lecture series

• Special Saturday sessions for children ages 3–8 and 8–12

• And two full days of workshops on klezmer music, Yiddish song, and dance

Additional information

Since not everyone can attend all six days, they offer various ticket packages – each with three price levels: Standard, Concessionary, and Supporter. Please simply choose the option that best suits your needs; no questions asked.

Simply do what you can to keep Yiddish culture alive, accessible, and diverse. Your contribution also helps us continue to offer more affordable tickets.

Secure a weekend pass now and enjoy the full program at the UfaFabrik on June 14 and 15 – concerts, jam sessions, workshops, lectures, and more. Alternatively, you can also purchase day and evening tickets separately.

If you only want to attend a single workshop, simply come to the information point at the festival – and pay what you can.

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