Over 800 years of history lie within the walls of the historic Nikolaikirche in the heart of Berlin, nestled between City Hall, City Palace and Fischerinsel. A tour of the church reveals its complex past, including its connections to colonial history — the ceremonial tomb of an 18th-century colonial figure is housed within its walls. Since December 2024, the decentralized exhibition “Decolonial – What Remains?” has shed light on the city’s colonial past, critically reexamining its legacy through new, resistant perspectives. To mark Black History Month, the Museum Nikolaikirche is hosting performances and guided tours of the exhibitions Koloniale Gespenster – Widerständige Geister. Kirche, Kolonialismus und darüber hinaus. and Eingeschrieben. Kolonialismus, Museum und Widerstand. Additionally, there are weekly organ concerts, including this Friday (14.02.), curated by organist Jack Day, featuring 30-minute performances of classical organ pieces by Black composers from the 18th century. On Friday evening (14.02.), the Aktionshaus, in collaboration with Tegel Media, an online publisher dedicated to accessible and inclusive literary content, presents the Tegel Valentine Aktionshaus. To celebrate the occasion, they have carefully selected literary gems from their digital archives. Romantic tales of chivalry and uplifting arthouse narratives will be read passionately aloud. The evening continues with a blissful electronic concert by Dove, followed by an eclectic DJ lineup featuring Yosa Peit and others. For those looking to explore new creative spaces, Redefining Spaces — a new spatial design concept by Johanna Gauder and Studio Christoph Hauf— opens on Saturday in Neukölln.

This immersive installation seamlessly integrates interior design, lighting and furniture with Gauder’s sustainable silver jewelry collection. Meanwhile, at Galerie Wedding, poet, author and moderator Jenaba Samura — who frequently navigates the intersection of theater and politics — is researching visions of a Black Europe in her project Black Narratives of Transcultural Appropriation. Following her reading, the gallery invites visitors to engage in discussions and a book swap. Sunday afternoon in Prenzlauer Berg promises vibrant energy for daytime party enthusiasts. At Kink on Schönhauser Allee, collectives Femdelic, Magic Jams and others come together for a dynamic event under the motto “Electric, Danceable, Authentic”. A perfect opportunity for those who prefer daytime festivities, Island Universe offers immersive storytelling, music and dance — whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or the joy of community. In celebration of his 10th anniversary as a Berlin-based product designer and goldsmith, Christoph Hauf presents a striking installation that merges design, craftsmanship and art in an open space. His latest collection of finely crafted jewelry, inspired by geometric forms, is set against the backdrop of raw aluminum furniture and surfaces, creating a powerful contrast. Finally, as part of Black History Month 2025, Galerie Wedding hosts an evening poetry reading by Jenaba Samura on 15.02., inviting reflection and celebration of Black voices in contemporary literature.

Text: Emma Zylla / Photos: Johanna Gauder, Michael Setzpfandt & Oana Popa-Costea / Prints: Liorzh Gabriel Picard; Galerie Wedding; Aktionshaus; Jakob Nolte

Museum Nikolaikirche, Propststr.1, 10178 Berlin–Mitte; map
Dekoloniale – was bleibt?! Nikolai-Musik, every Friday in February 17–17h30

Aktionshaus, Gottlieb–Dunkel–Str.3, 12099 Berlin–Tempelhof; map
Tegel Valentine Aktionshaus 14.02.2025 19h

Johanna Gauder, Schillerpromenade 14, 12049 Berlin–Neukölln; map
Studio Opening Johanna Gauder 15.02.2025 Opening 11–18h, Get-Together 18–22h

Galerie Wedding, Müllerstr.146, Haus 147, 13353 Berlin–Wedding; map
Poetry–Lesung 15.02.2025 16h

Kink, Schönhauser Allee 176, 10119 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map
Island Universe 16.02.2025 15–22h

@dekoloniale
@galeriewedding
@tegelmedia.fanpage
@aktionshaus_
@d_o_v__e
@yosapeit
@jenasamura
@kink.space.berlin
@johannagauder
@christoph.hauf
@femdelic
@island.universe.sounds

A Week for Berlin’s Fashion Elite? Not at all. These Berlin Fashion Week events are open to everyone, offering exciting insights into the latest textile trends and an opportunity to dance the night away. Under the motto “Unleashing Fashion Creativity – Connecting Cultures”, Fashion Park Lviv makes its debut in Germany, showcasing seven exceptional Ukrainian designers and their Fall/Winter 2025 collections. Organized by the West Ukrainian Fashion Industry Cluster (WUFIC) initiative, the event will feature brands like Starchak, Gushka and Marta Brown, inviting visitors to Torstraße 101 for inspiration, idea exchange and networking. Human Touch will also present its unique work, utilizing the “paintsewing” technique to highlight the human labor behind clothing production. Their “Human Touch Remedy” collection enhances vintage and second-hand pieces with special prints, which will be on display in Schöneberg for four days. For those seeking more than just visual impressions, the Metamorphosis talk series will explore themes of change. Mobility partner NIO Deutschland is hosting the Fashioncouncil talk series at NIO House, focusing on diversity, design and creativity in several engaging rounds. Additionally, the second edition of Black in Fashion kicks off on Friday (31.01). Six designers will showcase their work at the joint studio and showroom of Buki Akomolafeand Emeka.

Following the pop-up, a panel discussion will dive into the challenges Black creatives face in the fashion industry and explore mental health topics. The event will be moderated by Beatrace Angut Oola from Fashion Africa Now, and will wrap up with live DJ sets, free food and drinks. Meanwhile, Industrialkonzept on Karl-Marx-Allee is broadening the scope of Fashion Week by highlighting architecture, interiors and objects. Over three days, they will showcase special pieces, including The Broken Series by Gufram and Snarkitecture. The pop-up also features a unique listening room experience and complimentary drinks. And for those who’d rather swap the showroom and catwalk for the dance floor, Fashion Week’s festive closing awaits in Berlin Friedrichshain. Keyi Magazine will take over OXI on February 3rd, bringing fast beats and a stylish guest list, with Freddi K and others ensuring an unforgettable night. So, even if you can’t make it to the catwalk, you’ll still have plenty of reasons to celebrate during Berlin’s Fashion Week.

Text: Emma Zylla / Photos: Anasteisha Danger, Denis Grigorev, Starchak, Philipp Gross, Gushka, Boris Marberg, Ben Moenks, Starchak

Torstraße 101, 10119 Berlin–Mitte; map
Fashion Park Lviv 31.01.2025 12–19h, 01.02.2025 13–19h

Goltzstraße 15, 10781 Berlin–Schöneberg; map
Human Touch Pop-up 30.01.–02.02.2025, Thur & Fri 12–19h, Sat & Sun 11–19h

NIO House, Kurfürstendamm 11, 10719 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map
Metamorphosis – dialogues about change 31.01.–03.02.2025

Showroom Buki Akomolafe & Emeka Mehringdamm 75, 10965 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Black in Fashion II Pop-Up 31.01.2025–01.02.2025 13–19h, event 01.02.2025 17–22h

Karl-Marx-Allee 85 10243 Berlin–Friedrichshain; map
Industrialkonzept Pop-up 30.01.2025–01.02.2025 12–20h

OXI Berlin Wiesenweg 1-4, 10365 Berlin–Friedrichshain; map
Keyi Magazine x Freddy K, 03.02.2025 17–5h

@fashion_park_lviv
@starchak_official
@gushka.wool
@martabrown.studio
@thehumantouch_clothing
@niodeutschland
@fashioncouncilgermany
@bukiakomolafe
@emeka_suits
@beatraceangutoola
@fashionafricanow
@industrialkonzept
@gufram
@snarkitecture
@keyimagazine
@oxi_club
@freddyk3614