KARAT live at the Gärten der Welt Arena

KARAT — 50 Years of Berlin Rock History

KARAT is one of the most famous bands to emerge from Berlin (East) — founded in 1975, with global hits like "Über sieben Brücken musst du gehn" (1978, later covered by Peter Maffay), "Albatros," and "König der Welt," they became one of the most important rock formations of the GDR and one of the few that have continued to play uninterrupted after 1989. In 2025, the band celebrated its 50th anniversary, entering its fifth decade with new members Daniel Bätge (bass) and Heiko Jung (drums).

Open-Air at the Gärten der Welt

The Gärten der Welt (Gardens of the World) in Marzahn are among Berlin's most beautiful park landscapes — a series of themed gardens (Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Balinese Garden, Italian Renaissance Garden, English Garden, Christian Garden) spread over 100 hectares, featuring a modern open-air arena at its center. The Arena can accommodate several thousand visitors, with tiered seating and standing room in front of a main stage. KARAT performs here against the backdrop of the park — a rather rare occasion, as the Gardens' concert program is usually limited.

Supporting Act: Dirk Michaelis

Dirk Michaelis is another Berlin musician with GDR roots — formerly a member of the band Karussell, he has been a successful solo artist since the 1990s with hits like "Als ich fortging." His presence in the supporting act is no coincidence: KARAT and Michaelis share an audience from the East German states and Berlin (East) who grew up with their music.

Marzahn as a Venue

The Marzahn district in the Marzahn-Hellersdorf borough is one of East Berlin's large residential areas — with over 100,000 inhabitants in the district alone. The Gärten der Welt is the district's flagship attraction, a park with international appeal. Visitors attending the concert typically combine it with an afternoon visit to the themed gardens — most concertgoers arrive around noon, explore the grounds, and enjoy the concert as the day's finale.