Hobbies are a strange one. The older you get, the less you have, too much work, screentime, and not enough fresh air, especially for us city dwellers. So we decided to get out of the hustle and bustle and get more grounded as a team. We spent the evening with Mirko, a mushroom enthusiast with a deep knowledge of regional fungi. As we strolled and scoured the forest floor, we sampled Chaga tea and learned about all the health benefits this fungus can have. Commonly found birch trees in cold climates. It’s used in folk medicine for various ailments across northern Europe. So, if you are searching for the perfect new hobby, we might have just cracked it. Grab yourself a mushroom knife, and let’s get foraging, but first, maybe contact Mirko in case you end up drinking something stronger than chaga tea.
Text: Kate Foran / Photos: Natascha Hamel
You can check their Instagram for updates on upcoming forest foraging.
@sandra.und.mirko
Ceramics in all their forms and methods continue to enjoy great popularity, and I count myself as a fan. Having already taken pottery classes with a wheel, I wanted to try my hand at hand forming. At Plöttjes Studio in Kreuzberg, Elise Weyland and Antonia Maria Joubert regularly offer workshops for beginners and experienced ceramics enthusiasts, from taster sessions to multi-day workshops. They’re available in English, German and French. In my case, we spent an afternoon together in a small group under Antonia’s guidance trying out various building and texturing techniques including pinching, coiling and slab rolling. We tried out the techniques to make an object of our choice – in my case a vase. Studio founder Philippa König’s intention is to make the sensory and tactile experience of working with clay a tangible one and to create a space for discussion and sharing. Once you’ve gotten a taste for ceramics and want to gain some momentum, you can try out the wheel in an intimate atmosphere with a three-day course.
Text: Nicole Meckel / Photos: antonia maria・studio & Philippa König
Plöttjes Studio, Schleiermacherstr.18, 10961 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
@ploettjes_studio
The weekend, an autumn breeze, falling leaves, cold noses, hot drinks, fresh air, Brandenburg. Sound good? Then how about regional vegetables, honey, wine, original ceramics, sustainable textiles and vibrant perennials and seeds that will make your garden or balcony glow next spring? Yes? Then head over to Petzow just west of Potsdam. This weekend (28 & 29.10.2023), the Schlossgarten there is hosting the autumnal Farmers Market. Local businesses offer things cozy and handmade, while neighboring Café Drei Kaehne and Kaffee Kontor from Werder supply the drinks and cakes. Then there are the products from the vegetable, fruit and plant gardens. These are the real stars of the excursion: hardly any other time of the year could be more beautiful to stroll through the hilly expanse of the park. With its old walls and young apples, it is an excellent place to escape the high-frequency noise of the city. A wild romanticism dwells here – a blend of memento mori and bright color, a last burst before the annual decay of nature ushers in the winter sleep. A long walk past the stables and into the wild-tamed nature is highly recommended.
Text: Hilka Dirks / Photos: Schlossgarten Petzow & Nuzul Arifa
Farmers Market at Schlossgarten Petzow, Zelterstr.4C, 14542 Werder (Havel)–Petzow; map
28 & 29.10.2023 13–18h
@schlossgartenpetzow
Seasonal bucket lists are something I can shamelessly admit I adhere to, subconsciously to some degree. As soon as I spot a leaf floating to the floor, I’m off to find my wooly hats and autumnal-colored bits and bobs to hunt for the perfect carving pumpkin, find a new fall activity, or feel a sudden urge to make soups and bake cakes. I wholeheartedly believe a decent October cannot be had without a good old scare, which brings us to Nightcrawlers, an immersive scare experience, and a love letter to monstrosity and horror. Berlin’s only queer Haunt blending classic walk-through haunts, “elevated horror” and experiential storytelling in one of Berlin’s most iconic locations, Alte Münze. You can visit the 360-immersive walk through for three nights only in various different evening time slots (28-31.10.2023). Expect to be chased, taunted and most definitely spooked as you make your way around the old coin factory. It is rather large so wear comfortable shoes and don’t touch the nightcrawlers or you might end up losing a finger or two…
Text: Kate Foran / Fotos: Lukas Dolgner
Alte Münze, Am Molkenmarkt 2, Berlin–Mitte; map
Nightcrawlers 28–31.10.2023
@nightcrawlers.berlin
Mochis – who doesn’t love them? The round confection with a soft rice shell and a fondant center is a classic of Japanese cuisine and a real gourmet dessert. Ever wanted to know how they are made? Yui Fukami from Studio Fukamisori will show you how. On three Saturdays in November at the Muji Flagship Store on Ku’damm, you’ll learn how to make the traditional gluten-free daifukumochi いちご大福 yourself from rice flour dough (azuki), red bean paste (shiroan) and fresh fruit. When Yui moved to Berlin in 2017 from her home in Osaka, Japan, via a stopover in New Zealand, she missed her mother’s strawberry daifuku, and started experimenting on her own so she could snack on the sticky-sweet rice balls all year long. Initially, Yui shared her stories and recipes with friends. Now, with her workshops, she shows anyone homesick for Japan or with a curious sweet tooth how to make mochi. During the workshop you’ll get immersed in the art of making mochi and discover modern mochi culture in Japan and its exciting history. At the end of the session, you’ll be able to enjoy your own mochis, accompanied by a nice Japanese tea. Are you ready for some mochi magic?
Text: Alison Musch / Photos: Arundhati Shenoy
Muji Berlin Ku’damm Flagship Store, Kurfürstendamm 236, 10719 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map
Mon–Sat 10–20h (second floor)
@yui_fukamidori
@mujigermany