Last Friday, 01.09.2023, we as Berlin Global Village had the pleasure to celebrate BGVestival for the second time with its 50 organisations, associations and initiatives (a report from last year can be found here).
The delight was huge given the beautiful weather, after the last weeks of August had been rainy and unusual cool. The preparations had been going on for months: All interested people from the centre met regularly to exchange ideas, plan and coordinate. On the day itself, many volunteers from the centre helped with set-up and decoration, colourful pennants were strung between the new and old building, sound systems were set up and signs leading to us were painted with spray chalk.
The programme on stage was as diverse as the centre itself. With lots of music, dance and good spirit, the visitors were guided through the afternoon. The centre itself was also open for exploration. The Ludothek global was open for children from 0 years and also offered a circus show. The WeltRaum invited visitors to an open day and was sometimes unable to keep up with all the people interested in the VR glasses. At more than 10 stands you could get information about the work of the different groups, partly with raffles and quizzes, delicious snacks, a clothes exchange or classically with flyers and brochures.
We were very touched by the kind words of welcome from Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economic Affairs, and Jochen Biedermann and Katrin Korte, District Councillors, who emphasised the added value of the Berlin Global Village for Neukölln and Berlin.
