We don't need more walls

It was November the 9th 2009. People, leaders and celebrities from all over the world had gathered in the German capital to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall. I had just moved to Berlin and was delighted to be able to participate in the celebrations by the Brandenburg Gate. It was a cold night, it was raining, but we were all excited to witness this historical moment.

One of the leaders who gave a speech about the importance of the fall of physical and mental walls was US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. 

How sad and ironic that exactly seven years later Hillary Clinton should lose the US presidential election to a man who has promised to erect a wall on the border between the United States and Mexico (amongst many over outrageous proposals).

Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown was also in Berlin for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall and spoke of one united Europe. Seven years later Brexit happened.

If there is one place on earth that knows the devastating effects of a wall this is Berlin, the city I live in and a city that was divided for almost 30 years.

When people worldwide choose to build more walls, more barriers, more fences both physical and psychological, something has clearly gone wrong.    

Berliners (with German nationality) have voted

Berlin residents (including EU nationals) went to the polls yesterday, with a striking difference: German nationals were given three ballot papers, while EU nationals were given only one. According to Council Directive 94/80/EC of 19 December 1994, "EU citizens may vote or stand as candidates in municipal elections in any EU country in which they live".
In Berlin, this means that EU nationals can only vote in the most local of local elections: the "Bezirksverordnetenversammlung" (one of those lovely never-ending German words) or in simpler words the borough assembly elections.
EU nationals living in Berlin are not eligible to vote in the elections that really matter: the "Abgeordnetenhaus" (the Berlin parliament so to speak).
As someone who has lived in Berlin for many years and is not planning to move any time soon, I am extremely interested in the election results, as they will have an impact on my life and on my family's life. Unfortunately, I would have preferred an active role, rather than that of spectator or accompanier. While I could only vote in the borough (or district) elections, my husband and practically every one else around me could also vote in the Berlin parliament elections.
Why? This is my city as much as theirs.
Considering that Berlin is an international city, you would think that everyone's vote would count, not just the votes of German nationals. This city wouldn't be the same without the contributions of the thousands of non-German nationals that live here. Just thinking in terms of food, there wouldn't be much else on the menu except for Currywurst, Bulette (meatballs) or Eisbein (pork knuckle) if it wasn't for the expats.
In terms of the actual results, what is particularly interesting about the Berlin elections is the geography, which can be summarised as: West Berlin has voted CDU (centre right), central Berlin has voted SPD (centre left) and Grüne (green party), East Berlin has voted Linke (left) and far East Berlin has voted the right-wing, anti-immigration, populist party AfD (Alternative für Deutschland), a sort of UKIP.
As everywhere else in Europe, the traditional parties, in this case the SPD and CDU, have lost ground, while the populist parties are gaining voters. The Pirates, meanwhile, have disappeared from the radar.
The rise of the AfD is extremely worrying. If this party can win 14% in Berlin, what will happen in the rest of the country?
Here's some food for thought: if all Berlin residents (non just the ones with a German passport) had been allowed a vote, perhaps the AfD might not have won so many seats in the Berlin parliament.

Live like a Berlin hipster

If you are someone with a serious job, long working hours and real deadlines, adjusting to the Berlin lifestyle may appear rather daunting. You will be surprised to see that everywhere around you are artists and creative people, while men and women in suits are nowhere to be seen (except for some parts of Mitte or the posher districts of Charlottenburg and Zehlendorf). You will wonder at how everyone in Berlin has so much time to hang around cafes by day and Kneipen (pubs/bars) by night. The concept of "working only when the weather is bad" will seem rather alien to you at first, but very gradually you will get used to breakfast at 3pm and clubbing on a Sunday morning (having been up all night). You will need patience, because it will take time, but you too can become a Berlin hipster.

To check whether you have truly made it into the Berlin hipster-sphere, take the test below.   

1) Do you have a proper job?

2) Do you have a project?

3) Are you thinking about your own start-up?

4) Do you start the day with a flat white/cappuccino/galao exclusively prepared by your trustworthy barista?

5) Do you carry around a tote bag with an anti-establishment slogan?

6) Do you wear trendy glasses and/or sunglasses?

7) Do you ride a stylish, retro racing bike?

8) Do you shop local, organic, vegan and fairtrade?

9) Do you pay entrance fees to get into clubs and other venues?

10) Do you live in Neukölln?

If  you have answered no to questions 1) and 9) and yes to the remaining eight questions, congratulations: you are a true Berlin hipster!

If you've never had a galao, you need to spend more time in cafes serving Portuguese specialities.

If you haven't made it onto the guest list yet, i.e. you still pay entrance fees, you haven't met the right people. 

If you've not heard of goji berries, head out to your local, organic, vegan grocery shop right now.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out these places:

Bonanza Coffee Heroes, Oderberger Strasse, Prenzlauer Berg - now also in Kreuzberg

Galao a Pastelaria, Weinsbergweg, Mitte
Nothaft Seidel, Schönhauser Allee, Prenzlauer Berg - now also in Neukölln

Veganz supermarkets in Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg 
Club der Visionäre, Puschkinallee, Treptow 

Or move to Neukölln.