15:00 - 16:30 - From Damascus to Berlin and Vice Versa: Artistic Paths Between Revolution, Diaspora, Challenges and New Beginnings

Organisation: Tanween Collective
Address: Volksbühne, Grüner Salon, Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz 2, 10178 Berlin | Event Map
Meeting point: Directly in front of the venue

This talk explores how Syrian artists, shaped by the Arab Spring and the revolution, navigate life and art between Berlin and Syria. It examines how exile and new beginnings have influenced their work and how, after the revolution’s success, they are contributing to Syria’s cultural renewal.

The discussion also examines the realities of diversity in Germany’s arts sector, questioning how inclusive cultural structures truly are and highlighting the gap between diversity policies and the lived experiences of artists. 

On 14th and 15th May, Tanween Collective’s VR installation How am I here?! takes place at Volksbühne. You can find out more information on their website.

Moderation by: 
Mey Seifan - DEI Expert, choreographer, lecturer, cultural manager, and activist.
Rana Yazaji - Researcher, trainer and cultural manager.
Liwa Yazji - Playwright, dramaturg and script doctor.
Anis Hamdoun - Director, author, acting mentor and university lecturer.
Ziad Adwan - Theatre maker, writer and researcher
 

18:00 - 20:00 - HAU Digital Art Showcase: Performance, Technology, Gaming Culture & Networking
 

Organisation: HAU Hebbel am Ufer
Address: HAU1, Stresemannstraße 29, 10963 Berlin | Event Map
Meeting point: Entrance of HAU1

The digital stage HAU4 is a platform for the connection between performances & technology and gaming culture. The programme is presented both online and on the theatre stages. On 15 May, HAU will present outstanding HAU4 artists. The audience has the opportunity to immerse themselves in hybrid performances, interactive XR experiments and various game worlds. At the centre is the question of how an artistic perspective can be productive in dealing with social change, in which commercial technology and authoritarian politics are becoming increasingly intertwined. There will be an opportunity to engage in dialogue with the artists.

Artists:
allapopp, Anan Fries, Choy Ka Fai, Interrobang, Janne Kummer, Keiken, Lena Biresch, machina eX, onlinetheater.live, Patrick Blenkarn & Milton Lim and Theresa Reiwer.

Moderation by: 
Sarah Reimann - HAU Hebbel am Ufer
 

Accessibility & content warnings

Tanween Collective

• Steps: 10+
• No elevator access
• Doorways wider than 90cm
• Taxi drop-off point: Volksbühne
• Seating with no arms
• Indoors
• Toilets
• Baby changing facilities
• Content warning: references to violence, mental illness, war, discussion of geo-political issues

HAU Hebbel am Ufer

• Part of the work showcased has English subtitles, please ask the staff for more information
• Steps: 10+
• This session is partially accessible by elevator (on request); some of the performances and the bar are only accessible by stairs
• Doorways wider than 90cm
• Taxi drop-off point: outside the main entrance of HAU1 
• Seating: folding chairs, theatre chairs
• Indoors
• Toilets
• Gender neutral toilets
• Accessible toilets
• Loud music as part of performances. Ear plugs are provided if necessary.
• Some performances have strong, strobe-like lighting effects.
• Content warning: references to masculinist radicalisation, mass extinction of animals and nudity.

Sign-ups for this Journey open on 8 April.