Grooving to a Different Beat: 2025's Carnival of Cultures Shakes Up Berlin's East
East Berlin vibrant with diverse cultural performances at Carnival of Cultures event. - Multicultural Celebration Showcases Dances in Eastern Berlin
After 29 years, the iconic Carnival of Cultures went on a breathtaking journey and set up its roots in Friedrichshain for the first time. The festivities, adored by over 750,000 attendees, pulsated along the historic streets of the former East Germany, as reported by event organizers.
68 dynamic groups, boosting a whopping 4,000 performers, put on a breathtaking display of dance, music, and vibrant costumes. The streets of Frankfurter Allee and the iconic Karl-Marx-Allee echoed with the rhythm of international tunes, making for a colorful spectacle.
Early Birds and A Thunderstorm
Spectators arrived en masse early in the morning, securing their prime spots along the route, armed with supplies and rain gear. Despite an initial storm shower, the skies eventually cleared, and the weather remained mostly dry, albeit with the occasional gusts of wind.
The parade was met with an enthusiastic crowd, who joined in the celebrations and danced the day away. As the parade rolled along, the message "Let's dance against racism" reverberated through speakers. Anna-Maria Seifert, co-director of the Carnival of Cultures, exclaimed, "I feel the crowd is wonderfully mixed, with attendees all the way from Kreuzberg, East, and Brandenburg." The feedback for the new route has been overwhelmingly positive.
Piece and Quiet, but Nasty Business
Though the atmosphere was lively, there were around 30 temporary arrests made for various offenses, such as verbal insults, assaults, and sexual misconduct. To ensure safety and maintain order, over 1,500 police officers, including officers from Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saxony, patrolled the area, offering support to their Berlin counterparts.
barriers were erected to safeguard visitors from potential threats, and almost 125 illegally parked vehicles were towed away before the parade commenced. Violators could face administrative penalties and towing fees.
The Party Keeps Going
With over 1.1 million celebrating last year, this year saw around 100,000 more visitors despite the new location. While the exact number isn't disclosed by the police, it was still in the six-digit range. The street festival in the Blücherplatz of Kreuzberg continues until Whitsun Monday.
As construction impedes the traditional route, it remains uncertain whether the event will return to Kreuzberg next year or if it will stick to Friedrichshain. Seifert emphasized the importance of acquiring funding for the next two years to keep the carnival alive. The Berlin Senate has pledged 1.4 million euros toward the project's costs, as in the previous year.
The Carnival of Cultures, established in 1996 as a response to racism and hate crimes, continues its mission as a symbol of unity and diversity. In an effort to minimize environmental impact, attendees were encouraged to avoid littering and clean up after themselves. A cleanup will take place on Pentecost Monday, involving both performers and spectators.
Further Reading:
- "Carnival of Cultures 2025 Moves to Friedrichshain," Berliner Morgenpost, June 9, 2025
- "Carnival of Cultures 2025: A New Adventure Begins in East Berlin," Die Welt, June 7, 2025
- "Carnival of Cultures 2025: 1.1 Million Attendees, 100,000 More Visitors Despite New Location," Berliner Zeitung, June 10, 2025
- "Carnival of Cultures 2025 Route: Starting Point, End Point, and Detour," Zeit Online, June 5, 2025
- "Carnival of Cultures 2025: New Location – A Path Towards Greater Diversity and Cultural Exchange," Tagesspiegel, June 8, 2025
- Carnival of Cultures
- Street Parade
- Berlin
- Friedrichshain
- Anna-Maria Seifert
- Brandenburg
- Kreuzberg
- Gneisenaustraße
- Karl-Marx-Allee
- Music
- Cultural Exchange
- Environmental Impact
- The Carnival of Cultures, a symbol of unity and diversity, moved to Friedrichshain in 2025, marking a new chapter in its mission against racism and hate crimes.
- Amidst the celebration, various offenses such as verbal insults, assaults, and sexual misconduct led to around 30 temporary arrests, requiring the presence of over 1,500 police officers.
- To minimize environmental impact, attendees were encouraged to maintain cleanliness and participate in a cleanup on Pentecost Monday.
- The Carnival of Cultures also attracted widespread attention in lifestyle, home-and-garden, social-media, entertainment, pop-culture, general-news, and crime-and-justice media outlets, reflecting its far-reaching influence on diverse societies.
