Weberwiese Kiezfest

A Neighbourhood Festival with a Political Agenda

Unlike most Berlin neighbourhood festivals, which are primarily entertainment events, the Weberwiese Kiezfest has a clear political profile. It is organised by the tenants' initiative "Weberwiese – Milieu sind wir!", which is fighting against the privatisation of the housing estate of the same name: "The neighbourhood is not a speculative object – it lives from the people who live here."

The Weberwiese as a Housing Complex

The Weberwiese is an architecturally significant housing complex, built between 1951 and 1956 as a model project of early GDR urban development. The high-rise buildings in Stalinist architecture were designed by star architect Hermann Henselmann and are now considered listed landmarks of Friedrichshain. In 2026, the complex will be 70 years old – the Kiezfest makes this a focal point of the programme.

What to Expect

• Live Music: Electric Folk, Indie Rock, Children's Choir, DJ Sets
• Historical Neighbourhood Tour on the history of the Weberwiese, led by historian Wanja Abramowski (Friedrichshainer Geschichtsverein "Hans Kohlhase" e.V.)
• Photo Exhibition on the changes to the residential buildings
• Cake Buffet and Barbecue with local wine merchants and bars
• Face Painting
• Anti-Fascist Magic Show
• Performances and Stalls by tenant associations, "Deutsche Wohnen & Co enteignen" (Expropriate Deutsche Wohnen & Co.), neighbourhood initiatives
• Free admission

Friedrichshain as a District

Friedrichshain (District of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg) has been one of Berlin's districts most affected by gentrification for years. Rents have doubled in the last ten years, long-term tenants are increasingly being displaced, and changes of ownership are the norm. The Weberwiese Kiezfest is part of a broad citizens' movement advocating for social housing and against speculation. Anyone attending sees Berlin urban politics in detail.

Atmosphere

Despite the political seriousness: the festival is family-friendly, open, and welcoming – a summer afternoon in the neighbourhood where political speeches and children's choirs stand side by side, bratwurst and cake, anti-fascist magic and DJ sets. An ideal opportunity to get to know Friedrichshain away from the tourist paths.