Why print is still very much alive, how healing art can be, and when Berlin courtyards turn into oases of high culture — find out this weekend. Right in the heart of Berlin, the Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart is hosting an Open House (13–15.06.2025). At Hamburger Bahnhof, enjoy free admission to seven exhibitions and a participatory program of guided tours, workshops, and talks with artists. One of the openings is the exhibition Toyin Ojih Odutola. U22 – Adijatu Straße(13.06.), for which a fictional subway station called “Adijatu Straße” has been created in the museum’s East Wing. Odutola’s narrative illustrations explore themes such as power dynamics, colonial history, and African forms of expression, guiding the viewer’s gaze through the texture of skin and the interplay of light and shadow. A highlight of the colorful program at Hamburger Bahnhof is the official opening of the 13th Berlin Biennale. Another reason to celebrate: print seems to be immortal. Miss Read shows us how and why sustainable publishing still works (13–15.06.).
Hosted at Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW), this year’s book fair for independent and critical publishing is organized under the theme “Ecological Publishing”. Instead of sorting books by color, the fair focuses on local production possibilities and new narrative forms, bringing together publishers, writers, and artists through lectures, performances, and workshops. One such reading will be given by Ndey Bassine Jammeh-Siegel, founder of Afrokids Germany, who will present her children’s book Die Mosaik-Bibliothek, illustrated by Diana Ejaita. For more intersections between literature and visual art, check out the annual Conceptual Poetics Day (14.06.). And speaking of books, Suhrkamp Verlag is celebrating 75 years of publishing this Saturday (14.06.) with a courtyard festival. If you’re looking for new releases, collectibles, or literary merch (or want a quieter alternative to the HKW with just as much depth) this is your spot. Authors such as Dana Vowinckel, Steffen Mau, and many more will be signing books, both new and beloved. If you get hungry in between, swing by Acid Café, which is welcoming a guest chef from Japan on Saturday. For off chef Ryotaro Tanigaki and the sourdough bakery, the pop-up marks a long-awaited reunion after Acid visited Kinosaki in 2023 to supply the bistro with fresh bread. The Berlin edition will feature sweet and savory delights — Tonkatsu burgers and Dorayaki (sweet-filled pancakes) with green tea and mascarpone. Also sweet is the work of Gustaf Westman, the Swedish designer whose pastel curves and chunky vases have become iconic in contemporary interiors. On his pop-up tour through Europe, he’ll be stopping in Berlin this weekend (14–15.06.), hopefully bringing all the pieces fans dream of: pink vases, curvy mirrors, and bold coffee mugs. Can art be healing? And what potential lies in the fusion of art and science? These are questions explored by the interdisciplinary lecture series The Healing Arts, hosted by Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Universität der Künste Berlin. The next session takes place on 18.06.2025, examining the boundaries and possibilities of both fields and fostering dialogue across disciplines. This time, curator Lukas Feireiss will welcome speakers such as Prof. Dr. Kerstin Schoch, Dr. Lily Martin, and performance artist Maryna Makarenko. In cooperation with the International Society for Arts and Medicine, the series invites students and anyone curious about interdisciplinary exploration to join the discussion. It takes place every second Wednesday at Campus Charité Mitte. So maybe this weekend, you’ll find some space — on your bookshelf, between your coffee mugs, or in your mind — for new thoughts.
Text: Emma Zylla / Photos: Beth Wilkinson; Nationalgalerie – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Jacopo La Forgia; Alexander Rentsch; Gustaf Westman; Acid/ Credit: Toyin Ojih Odutola, 2025. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York; Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart; Kulturprojekte Berlin
Hamburger Bahnhof, Invalidenstr.50–51, 10557 Berlin–Mitte; map
Open House 13.06.2025–15.06.2025. Start 13.06.2025 10h.
Toyin Ojih Odutola. U22 – Adijatu Straße 13.06.2025–04.01.2026. Opening 13.06.2025 17h.
@hamburger_bahnhof
@kuboraum
@toyinojihodutola
Haus der Kulturen der Welt, John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, 10557 Berlin–Tiergarten; map
Miss Read 13.06.2025 17–21h. 14.06.2025 12–21h. 15.06.2025 12–19h.
Buchvorstellung: Die Mosaik-Bibliothek 14.06.2025 12–12.45h at Haunani-Kay Trask Saal.
@missreadberlin
@afrokids_germany
@alys.alys.alys
@ndey_bassine
@stillagramstill
@hkw_berlin
@dianaejaita
Suhrkamp Verlag, Vorplatz Torstr.44, 10119 Berlin–Mitte; map
Hoffest: 75 Jahre Suhrkamp 14.06.2025 12–18h.
@danavowinckel
@suhrkampverlag
Acid Café, Rosenthaler Str.9, 10119 Berlin–Mitte; map
Off Kinosaki x Acid Café 14.06.2025 from 10h.
@acid.cafe
@off.kinosaki
@ryotaro_off
Fürbringerstr.29, 10961 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Gustaf Westman Pop-up 14.06.2025–15.06.2025 10–19h.
@gustafwestman
Campus Charité Mitte, Hörsaal 21 (Paul Ehrlich-Hörsaal), Virchowweg 4, 10117 Berlin–Mitte; map
The Healing Arts 18.06.2025 18–20h. More dates on 02.07.2025 and 09.07.2025.
@chariteberlin
@udkberlin
@lukasfeireiss
@maryna_makarenko_
