Performing Exiles

For a long time, Berlin was considered a place where exiles from all over the world could find refuge, where artists in particular and with them the city itself could continue to reinvent themselves. In the first edition of “Performing Exiles” in 2023, Berlin was still able to claim to be a capital city for exiles, however, this status is currently being eroded. The last two years have been dominated by conflict, political polarisation and different sides boycotting each other. People who have settled in Berlin in search of freedom and made their livelihoods here, are now asking themselves whether the city can go on offering them freedom. 

100° Diaspora plans to highlight the broad spectrum of Berlin-based diaspora working in the arts and make this its programme. The stage marathon will be held as part of Performing Exiles from 26 to  28 June 2025 on five stages at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele. 45 artists and groups from the performing arts who are based in Berlin and identify as diasporic will be invited to take part. What’s special about it: the programme for 100° Diaspora is not curated, instead it will present the first 45 applications in response to the open call on a first come, first served basis, provided proposals can be realised.

As part of Performing Exiles there will be a “Summer School” from 16 to 28 June 2025. This will offer workshops, seminars and mentoring. The participants will see the performances and guest productions in the festival programme and visit artistic initiatives and cultural institutions in Berlin that operate across a wide range of disciplines and contexts. Under the direction of Christoph Gurk, the two-week “Summer School” will focus on the concept of ‘freedom’.