The carnival of cultures took place again in Berlin. A festival and a street party, a demonstration of the different cultures living in Berlin. Since a lot of years those carnival has become famous and much bigger then we thought in the beginning it would be. Many years we had rain, but people never were afraid to come and dance and celebrate that we can live united.
Also this year people came from other countries and are living now in Berlin showed something about their homeland, together with people from here. But we also saw clubs who help children and teenagers, disabled people and groups of several dance styles.
Thought it was a hot day again and after a while you really needed the shadow to hide and not to burn in the sun- people came and came and came to be part of it.
The food as typical at such festivals has become expensive but most seemed not to care much about it.
I arrived to meet a friend on lunchtime and there it was nice and still quite enough space for each to walk, talk and see what is happening and who is showing up on the parade.
But as this festival has become very popular it quick was much to many people and many times there was no coming further, or taking a step back. Of course the garbage on the street became much bigger and our walk became a zick zack.
The carnival is no political parade but there are always some who try to make it a place for politic. Thought culture is part of politic some make it more then that.
I must say that I disliked them very much as they played a game under the umbrella of culture and showing that we can live together in peace. So some are not fighting for this goal, instead they fight for killing like gays or israelis. Some more clear, some less but far to many people overlooked that fact or what they saw.
But above this negative thing which made me feeling less happy, it was interesting to see how the carnival has changed. I was by myself part of the parade many years ago, when it all just begun.
Now 60 tracks/ member groups were marching and it was far to many. Not only it takes to much time, it is simple also that the route has become much shorter. I guess because of the very warm day it also took very long before they started, which I know from other parades but then the distances of cars/ groups have been much to far. Thought after so many years they should be able to do it better.
Well, a lot of music, dances and many colorful members on the parade have made it quite easy to stand the time and have fun. But I must confess. I saw the last train starting at five, an hour before all should be finished, because I went to the beginning of the route as I had no patience to wait any longer and it became very uncomfortable to be in the crowd. No matter where I have been, it was no fun anymore to stand or walk. Maybe I am to old for such a big crowd. Maybe I had it to many times. Who knows but I can't stand it any longer.
Yes, I think this carnival should go on, but maybe change some things.
How about a longer route and less members (which will take a strong person to decide who comes in and who stays out).
I also think the message should be made more clear as nowhere it was seen what it stands for and all the parade members only showed themself, but has it a motto, has it a massage more then what you see? As a tourist I could not see it. Why was nowhere to see that we stand together. Everyone was only focussed on its own. You saw all the difference but what do we have in common? Why was this no one seemed to point out as this is what this carnivals of cultures should show and was made for?
I do think this is one of our times problems. We look at the difference but forget our common ground and so we fight each other more easy then we stand together. Sadly.
Especially in Berlin it is needed to focus on the common ground as this -me-me -me thing has become very typical and weakens everyone.
That was just my point of view and of course you can tell me yours. Just write on the comments or on twitter under: @SebastianisLove
Now enjoy the pics :-)
LOVE & LIGHT
