15 young people from Germany, Ukraine, and Russia were attracted by the SCI project “Alternative living” to spend two weeks in Berlin writing a collective diary.
We’ve been living in a self-organized commune at KuBiz and studying the subject: squats today and in history, trailer parks, communes, Kunst-houses, gentrification, manifestations… Take a dip into our experience by reading the diaries of the participants (click the circles at the picture below).
If you have any feedback – rock it in comments or by mail.
Elena, 20 y.o., Germany:
"I get the feeling that I am not alternative enough any more for alternative Germany..."
Tim, 19 y.o., Germany:
"A man arrives. Metal in his face. Metal in his ears. Muscular body. Strange clothes. All in all he looks like he could squash me beneath his boots but he is quite nice..."
Aliona, 21 y.o., Ukraine:
"Not in all places but sometimes they just asked us to go away. Others said that they want just freedom..."
Ira, 25 y.o., Russia:
"People are coming and leaving. It is not possible even for someone who lives here all the time to know everyone. “It hurts to make contacts with people, get attached and then watch them leaving”, Mama says..."
Vincent, 25 y.o., Germany:
"When you look on the commune as an outsider you will see basicly seven people sharing a beautiful flat and cooking, eating, spending time and living together. But there is not only the way you see it from the outside..."
Dasha, 24 y.o., Ukraine:
"This place was as ambiguous as the whole of Berlin. It united the memory of the Holocaust and the memory of the former squat under one roof..."
Masha, 21 y.o., Russia:
"People who live in immigrant communes are trying to celebrate life despite the circumstances, trying to “capture the moment”..."
Asya, 22 y.o., Russia:
"All they could do was support each other and try to survive..."
Natasha, 24 y.o., Russia:
"Surprised by people with green hair and huge tunnels, all in iron. Guys are mostly in tights with an obligatory bottle of beer in their hands. But everyone is smiling. There is no sense of fear. Come in!"
Julia, 20 y.o., Ukraine:
"The line of living peacefully in the commune is so thin u can sometimes cross it without noticing...."
Tanya, 24 y.o., Russia:
"Squatters of all generations, freedom fighters, autonomists, feminists, ecology protectors, party lovers, performers and so many more are active and keep the city vibrant..."
Alternative Living Project
DE-SCI-12.96
02/09/17 - 15/09/17
Berlin
