The year 2023 was also a very eventful one for the Berlin Story. After Wieland Gable and Malte Lauterbach have already written their recaps, I'm now the last to go.
We also conduct local research on conflicts, operate the news portal Berlin Story News, and publish books Berlin Story Publishing and show in Berlin story bunker three exhibitions on Nazi terror, Germany since 1945 and the war in Ukraine. We are at the core Wieland Gable (publisher and curator) as well Enno Lenze (bunker chief and journalist).
January
In January we went to Rwanda. How has the country developed in the thirty years or so since the cruel genocide? Today it is Africa's new economy hub, full of emerging small businesses with innovative ideas. The language of instruction was changed from French to English and the streets were made safe. Unrecognizable.
Then we went to Ukraine. Since 2022 we have been planning to exhibit a destroyed Russian tank in Berlin. But Berlin didn't want to - we were stuck with one for more than half a year Legal dispute and outrageous excuses bullied. But we had to prepare the tank, demilitarize it. This can only be done on site and with the welding machine.
February
Still in Ukraine, we visited the city of Chernihiv, which lies between Kyiv and Belarus. The city was cut off from the outside world for 38 days at the start of the war. On site we were able to talk to the people who had to endure being surrounded by Russians for more than a month.
From there we went straight back to Berlin. The tank should be in front of the Russian embassy in Berlin on February 24, 2023, the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. Until a few days before, attempts were made to prevent this in Berlin. But not least due to the tireless efforts of the lawyer Dr. Patrick Heinemann succeeded. Eight months of work. Tired and exhausted. But we did it. We'll explain exactly how here.
March
Malte Lauterbach reports again for us about the situation in Israel. He sees the danger coming and receives a lot of criticism for it. Here in Europe, curator Wieland Giebel was planning another exhibition on war and crisis areas, while I was in Ukraine at a museum conference. In Kharkiv, just a few kilometers from the front, dozens of people discussed the Museum representation of the war in future memorials.
How should memorials be designed? How and for which target group prepared? I arrived as the only foreign expert.
April
Our project "Golden Bridge“helps Iranians to safely access censorship-free internet. Our VPN installation reaches 50.000 users simultaneously. They can dial in with their smartphones using their own app, which is handed out manually on site. The project runs for three months to tunnel information about the resistance out there.
And I have to get my second one Book “Into the fire” write. Some of the stories are known because they were used in articles. However, the book offers more space, explains the time between articles and allows a look back. In the end I write too long again and it ends up being almost 400 pages.
May
The Frontline Club and the “New Lines Institute” invite you to a panel discussion with my idols Clarissa Ward and Hala Gorani on Press Freedom Day. The club is a media venue near London's Paddington Station. It aims to promote independent journalism. The focus is on war reporting. We support the club through sponsorship membership. The event was important, funny and interesting.
Also in May, the State of Israel will be 75 years old - we will celebrate this joyful event with Ambassador Ron Prosor and other invited guests.
This opens in Kurdistan Barzani National Memorial – the state museum of the Kurds, so to speak. In addition to presidents, prime ministers and diplomats, I am also one of the small circle of those invited. The memorial is impressive and modern in design. It tells the story very well with all the details.
After our tank had to leave Germany, the mayor of Amsterdam invited us. There it can stand in a central location as part of an art installation.
June
Back in the office we start own energy drinks to Ukraine to produce. Four motifs, which can initially be purchased in the Berlin Story Bunker and later online.
In Ukraine I visit the village of Yahidne, which has achieved notoriety. The residents of the Ukrainian village were in the basement of the school by Russian terrorists for a month been detained. I was able to see the horror site and talk to survivors.
July
A Ukrainian counteroffensive had been awaited since the spring. But the Russians had been given too long to dig in and lay huge minefields. The pivotal point was the Ukrainian town of Zaporizhzhia, which was next to the Mined nuclear power plant is located. I traveled there with our photographer and man in Kyiv, Chris Klawitter. What we found was an almost empty river, but no frightened people. The city was full and the parties were so long and loud that we could hardly sleep.
In the Berlin Story Bunker we expanded the Ukraine exhibition. On the one hand there were souvenirs with a connection to the war, and on the other hand there were shattered plates from bulletproof vests.
August
Iran seized the opportunity and increasingly attacked US bases in Iraq and Syria. That's why I flew to Kurdistan-Iraq to talk to people there about the current threat situation.
My book "into the fire“ was finished, but the foreword by Paul Ronzheimer was unfortunately not yet. He came under fire in Donbas as he tried to write it. So we waited with excitement.
September
I traveled to Kurdistan again and found out that a friend had died while trying to be smuggled into Europe. The history of Ali and Ara's attempted escape to Europe came into the book, which was actually already finished. Then Paul's foreword came and the book went to print.
October
"Good morning. We are at war. Frankly, I would be surprised if they don't flatten Gaza after this action.” – was the first message I saw on my phone on the morning of October 7th. It came from Malte, who was in Israel for us and reported on the Hamas terror: “It’s war” – Israel overwhelmed by Hamas attack
Meanwhile, curator Wieland Giebel was in Ukraine and wanted to see the situation for himself. By bus and train you can get there Road trip towards Bakhmut. He spoke to the local people.
November
The Milipol International Armaments Fair took place in Paris - this year with surprisingly little exciting things.
What was exciting, however, was a shot down Russian T-72 tank in Helsinki. Not mine, but I visited him on site.
December
I spent Christmas in Ukraine in Izjum and Kharkiv. We gave gifts to children who had to be evacuated from Kupyansk. During the operation we had air alarms several times. A few days later, Russia fired more than a hundred rockets into Ukraine in one day.
The year was difficult, sad, exhausting. We lost colleagues and friends and saw the world on the brink. But we also saw hope, courage and everyday heroes. We see how people come together and help each other in the worst of times and we see how our work can help others and change the world for the better. And that's why we continue.
A peaceful and happy new year to all of you!
