Leaving Berlin from time to time is always a good idea, especially in summer. If you travel in a north-easterly direction, you’ll eventually arrive at the Castle Neuhardenberg. The Prussian-classical ensemble lies contently in the sun, a few grasshoppers chirp nearby, it smells of freshly cut grass. The palace building, side wings, orangery, distillery and Schinkel church spread across the grounds, held together by one of Brandenburg’s most beautiful English-style gardens. Now in the hands of a foundation, the rooms house a hotel, various restaurants, an informative exhibition on the location’s history, and plenty of space for culture. For example, the group exhibition for the 21st Brandenburg Art Prize will open in the exhibition hall on 16.06.2024 and the “Ins Freie” festival attracts visitors to stylish open-air events. And what events they are! Whether it’s a reading of the Yasmina Reza classic “God of Carnage” performed by four actors (with the haunting voice of Maria Schrader and gentle tone of Samuel Finzi), a concert by former small change princess Dota Kehr and the Babelsberg Film Orchestra, or the veteran of German political song, Konstantin Wecker, the program is exciting, high-quality and varied. One of the highlights is the evening “Cinema meets Cuisine” curated by former Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick, which combines dinner, concert, talk and film.
It’s all about enjoyment and sensuality. The movie “The Taste of Things” by Vietnamese-born French director Trần Anh Hùng starring Juliette Binoche, chansons performed by the great Burghart Klaußner and French specialties in the rose garden will take center stage. Preceded by celebrity chefs Eckart Witzigmann and Stephan Hentschel discussing French cuisine. And when the sun has set, the last glass of champagne has been emptied and Berlin simply seems far too far away, you’ll be lucky to find a fresh hotel bed just a few steps away.
Text: Alina Herbel / Photos: Fotokraftwerk, Toma Babovic, movie still “The Taste of Things”
Schloss Neuhardenberg, Schinkelplatz 1–8, 15320 Neuhardenberg; map
Find the full program here.
@schlossneuhardenberg
