Pop-Kultur

Pop-Kultur at a Glance

Every summer, people from all over the world—with a wide variety of artistic approaches—gather at the silent green Kulturquartier, the Kulturbrauerei, the Pierre Boulez Saal, and other venues in Berlin. They turn their attention to everything that’s currently happening in society. Pop culture, after all, is a reflection of society.

Here, however, with a hyphen, because Pop-Kultur places special emphasis on the connections. The hyphen both separates and connects. Just as pop and culture belong together and yet are distinct.

A packed program of readings, concerts, films, discussions, and talks awaits you. Look forward to programs supporting emerging artists, the performative installation “Çaystube” as a symbol of hospitality and shared experience, and many other small and large things to discover throughout the sprawling Kulturbrauerei.

What Makes Pop-Kultur So Special

• At the Pop-Kultur Festival, you’ll immerse yourself in popular culture and discover new perspectives. And there’s no shortage of entertainment: music, panel discussions, and art come together to create a truly unique experience.

• Pop-Kultur breaks down the traditional divide between artists and the audience. A vibrant mix of people, art, and performances gives rise to an interactive process that shows what’s possible.

• The festival takes an unvarnished look at the conditions and injustices in the music scene—not to dwell on them, but to dream of a better tomorrow and make it a reality together.

Background and History of Pop-Kultur

The Pop-Kultur Festival was founded in 2015. For at least as long, supporting emerging talent has been at the heart of the festival. 150 young talents from around the world can apply for a spot in the emerging artists’ program. They come together in panels, live shows, and workshops to discuss developments in pop culture and society and to network.

Since 2017, the festival has also featured “Commissioned Works.” These are works commissioned specifically for the festival and presented there. They offer artists the opportunity to work on ideas and experiment without worrying about commercial viability.

The Pop-Kultur Festival is a space where everyone should feel comfortable. To ensure this vision becomes a reality, an awareness program has been developed. Discriminatory, intrusive, and disrespectful behavior has no place here. If you experience or witness any unpleasant incidents during your visit, you can contact the Awareness Team. They will provide you with prompt assistance and, if you wish, can do so anonymously.

Our Recommendations for Your Visit to the Pop-Kultur Festival

• The Pop-Kultur Festival thrives on participation. Get involved in the various events and help foster a diverse process that gives rise to something new.

• To truly immerse yourself in the Pop-Kultur Festival, you’ll need time and, above all, an open mind. Many of the concepts and ideas presented there venture far beyond the beaten path. So be ready to be surprised.

• Bring comfortable shoes. With all the energetic live music, you won’t be standing still for long—your feet will thank you!

• You can find the festival dates, the schedule, and ticket sales information on the Pop-Kultur website. It’s best to buy tickets for the festival well in advance and plan your visit a little ahead of time. Once you arrive at the festival, you can always throw all your plans out the window and just go with the flow.