A global local newspaper in cooperation with OCTOBER 2017 The Berlin Wall stood for 10,315 days. It’s been almost 10,315 days since it collapsed. Berlin has finally caught up to history – and is now defining the future. SHUTTERSTOCK, MONTAGE: BT 2 2017 IMAGO/PHOTOTHEK IMAGO/STPP, MONTAGE: BT MONTAGE: IMAGO/STPP, EURO VISION GROWN ON CONCRETE The citizens’ movement Pulse of Europe Large murals created by street artists speaks up and signals its opposition to inhabit the empty lots and exposed populists and nationalists. In Berlin, they façades left behind by WWII. meet once a month at Gendarmenmarkt. Johanna Trapp reveals some of the stories Peter H. Koepf spoke with activists. behind the walls. /page 16 /page 6 SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGO/SEELIGER EDITORIAL Most people – even most Berliners – are un- aware of a unique and fast approaching Wall anniversary. Not the “Day of German Unity” on October 3rd, 2017, which marks the 27th anniversary of the country’s official reunifica- tion. Nope, the one after that. On August 13, 1961, the GDR began erecting the Wall, and on November 9th, 1989 – that most wonder- SQUARE ONE ful night exactly 10,315 days later – the Wall COMING BACK Berlin’s storied Alexanderplatz in the came tumbling down. And now, believe it or It all started with a tweet: “Chocolate middle of Berlin has seen better days. The not, the time is coming when the Wall will have pudding, 19 cents. See you in Berlin!” city wants to make the large square more been down as long as it was up. Now a steadily growing number of Israelis attractive. Tong-Jin Smith reports about Is it really possible? Yes, it is. The Berlin Times are moving to the city. Some are even the latest plans. /page 8 did the calculations and determined that on opening up great new restaurants. Franziska February 5th, 2018, Berlin will have lived free Knupper checked out the dishes and the of the Wall for as many days as it was forced people preparing them. /page 18 to bear it. Berliners are fond of commenting on how time flies, and these days, “all of Berlin is in a blur.” Is there anything that hasn’t happened in this new, free and united city? Where darkness once reigned, today there is light. Where the Wall once stood, today people literally dance REINHARD KAUFHOLD IMAGO/RÜDIGER WÖLK IMAGO/RÜDIGER and sing. Once poor and completely drained of industry, Berlin has now emerged as a cre- ative hub for young people aiming to try new things, launch startups, forge their own paths and develop ideas that improve our world. In this issue, we invite you to read about peo- ple demonstrating in favor of something – in this case, Europe – as well as a young man who collects money just to pass it on to oth- HUMANE CAPITAL ers. We visit new restaurants where patrons BORN IN THE GDR Even entrepreneurs and conservative are treated to food quite unlike the typical Ber- André Kubiczek writes novels about the economists have advocated for the lin dishes of Currywurst, Döner and Eisbein. former East Germany like no one else. introduction of a basic income. We also take a look at a neighboring capital He spoke to The Berlin Times about But Michael Bohmeyer has actually done it. city that’s revamping its historical core. And, unification, his youthful idealism and his His crowdfunding organization gave finally, we’ll speak to a courageous Berliner daughter’s take on the Wall. /page 22 100 people 1,000 euros per month who founded a mosque where women and for one year. Is he crazy? Benjamin Walter men can preach and pray together. met the man. /page 10 As usual, it appears that Berlin is more than living up to its reputation as a city in which anything – and everything – is possible. Detlef Prinz Publisher SOEREN STACHE MAURIZIO GAMBARINI MAURIZIO IMPRESSUM The Berlin Times is an international registered trademark of Times Media GmbH. EQUAL RIGHTS All rights reserved. REBUILD, RELOAD This edition has been produced in cooperation with Seyran Ateş founded Berlin’s first mosque DIE WELT and Berlin Partner for Business and Technology. The basketball club Alba Berlin has where women can preach to men.Why did Publisher & liable for editorial content: Detlef Prinz celebrated legendary wins over the past she do it? Felizia Merten found the true Printed in Germany by Pressedruck Potsdam GmbH 25 years. But the latest season was the answer: Because it’s 2017. /page 14 Friedrich-Engels-Straße 24, 14473 Potsdam worst in its history. Some young guns and © Times Media GmbH, Tempelhofer Ufer 23 – 24, 10963 Berlin, Germany. a sly old fox from Spain are raising hopes www.times-media.de among hoops aficionados again, writes Horst Schneider. /page 30 2017 3 t’s a popular misconception that Euro- The EU must be a community of solidar- pean integration was originally an ity; this applies, for example, to the support economic project that only developed for southern EU members in migration into a political union as a result of the policy, including the fair distribution of ref- Imachinations of shrewd Eurocrats. In fact, ugees. One of Europe’s foremost values is the opposite is true. From the outset, the the willingness to engage in dialogue, which EU was a political project and, particularly is why we Germans should be open to the No new walls! in the eyes of its founding fathers, a com- proposals made by the reform-oriented munity of values, that is, a union based on French president, Emmanuel Macron, with the values of human dignity, democracy, regard to the remodeling of the Eurozone. The reflexes of the Cold War will not help us the rule of law, freedom, tolerance and We should enter into a serious exchange the principles of dialogue, solidarity and with the goal of reaching an agreement. By Sigmar Gabriel subsidiarity. One element of such a reform is the Today, this community of values is being transformation of the European Stabil- challenged by a discourse that focuses on ity Mechanism (ESM) into a European national self-centeredness and a process of Monetary Fund (EWF). Solidarity should, walling-off. This approach is championed however, be closely linked with the values or us Germans, the year 1989 is and on. And now of all times, we are sud- by both right and left-wing populists. They of fiscal stability and subsidiarity: Euro- inextricably linked with images denly no longer able to rely on some of see the EU as having failed and often propa- bonds and other instruments that override of singing and laughing people our partners. Who would have thought gate a return to the nation-state, thereby market mechanisms are misguided incen- climbing on to the Berlin Wall, that Turkey, with which we have so eagerly invoking doomsday scenarios. tives that would result in renewed crises Fcelebrating the fall of the Wall and the many ties, would become one of our most Often these forces look with admiration and thus repeatedly to a weakening of the end of the Cold War. We see people who complicated partners 12 years after the to the authoritarian path tread by Vladimir community of solidarity. We also need have overcome fear. These images show start of EU accession talks? Putin’s Russia – one that recalls the logic of more dialogue in the EU between East and an unshakeable optimism and courage, These are merely some aspects of a those 19th century powers for whom the West. This includes more respect for unique which inspired people across the globe. highly alarming image of a world in right of smaller states to self-determination national characteristics and sensitivities. I felt the same way myself. disorder. And how do we react to this? was of no consequence. However, we must draw a clear line where At that time which moved the world, We use the reflexes of the Cold War. We all know where the logic of 19th the separation of powers and the freedom I have to admit that I had an even more We react with fear and timidity rather century nationalism ultimately led us. The of the press – two cornerstones of democ- wonderful experience – the birth of my than with courage, commitment and horrific carnage of that era stands in stark racy – come under attack. oldest daughter. She was born at the very confidence. contrast to the 70 years of peace enjoyed At the same time, the EU must always set moment when the people on the other We are at the threshold of a new arms by the countries that, over time, joined the a course for the future: on the one hand, by side of the Iron Curtain were finally able race. In China, India, Latin America, the European integration project, today’s Euro- adapting the labor market to digitization to dream again of a time of peace. When United States, Russia, Europe, Africa – pean Union. Outside of this zone of peace, and on the other by fostering a more active Saskia was born, I thought that she might everywhere you look, people are only grow up in the most peaceful world there talking about armament. But one thing had ever been. is certain – our world will not become My youngest daughter was born 29 safer if all countries arm themselves years later. I felt just as joyful about her to the teeth. That is the geostrategical A word on Europe birth as I did with my first child. But over thinking of the 20th century – a strategy the past 29 years, the world has gone in a based on fear.