Radialsystem — 20 Years Anniversary Festival

Radialsystem — A Spree Pumping Station Becomes a Cultural Icon

Built in 1881 as Pumping Station Radial V of the Berlin sewage system, the brick building on Holzmarktstraße lay in the industrial shadow of the Friedrichshain Spree banks for almost a century. In 2006, after extensive renovation, it was reopened as 'Radialsystem V' — a cultural center unique in its kind in Berlin: industrial brick ambiance with views of the Spree, combined with two halls and several studios for independent dance, music, and theater productions. With its hall concept, which combines classical concerts with experimental performances, the venue has shaped the Berlin independent scene like few others.

Twenty Years of Programming Between Heiner Goebbels and Sasha Waltz

Over two decades, Radialsystem has combined contemporary music, dance, and performance into a distinctive profile. Sasha Waltz & Guests have been among the main artistic tenants since the beginning, Heiner Goebbels, the Berliner Ensemble Kaleidoskop, and the Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra are regular guests. The annual 'Summer Academy', collaborations with the Konzerthaus Berlin, and co-productions with international venues have made Radialsystem a European destination for interdisciplinary art.

An Anniversary Festival Instead of a Gala

For its 20th anniversary, the venue is forgoing a classic gala event. Instead, from September 9 to 12, 2026, it invites you to a multi-day festival with an open character. Concerts, performances, workshops, talks, installations, and communal meals alternate — the format is deliberately permeable and inviting. The festival concludes with an 'Open House Day' featuring picnics and family programs.

Program Highlights and Premieres

The artistic core of the festival consists of several premieres and special projects. Heiner Goebbels' concert 'Walden' — an exploration of Henry David Thoreau's book of the same name — celebrates its German premiere with Ensemble Klang and the Solistenensemble Kaleidoskop. Sasha Waltz & Guests present a new choreography for 'In C', Terry Riley's iconic minimalist piece. The multi-award-winning Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra performs its own piece, and Xavier Le Roy opens a new installation.

Friedrichshain — Between the Spree and Boxhagener Platz

Radialsystem is located on the southern Spree bank in Friedrichshain, the district that became a stronghold of Berlin's subculture after reunification and, in recent years, one of the city's most expensive residential areas. The venue is a five-minute walk from Ostbahnhof S-Bahn station, and ten minutes from the Oberbaum Bridge and the East Side Gallery. The combination of industrial architecture, waterfront location, and proximity to the Spree makes the festival grounds themselves a work of art.