Design Markets, Bookshops, Movies, and Exhibitions to Brighten Berlin’s Winter

Agenda Edition #24 / 21.11-24.11 / Current mood: Are you already in hibernation mode?

Hi, and welcome back to agenda - got plans?, a newsletter featuring a curated selection of art, design, and fashion events in Berlin. I'm Kate, a freelance journalist, Berlin local, and art lover. I hope my newsletter makes it a bit easier for you to navigate everything this city has to offer.

That said, I hope you’re doing well. I’ve been enjoying the last couple of weeks of pre-winter with long walks with my dog, trying to soak in every splash of color before Berlin turns into a cold, gray desert. In case you’ve ever wondered who’s behind this newsletter and whose dog we’re talking about—this is us:

For everyone already in full don’t-leave-the-house-unless-it’s-an-emergency mode: I’ve put together some tips for the next two weeks. It’s a mix of shopping, art, and events to help us escape—or at least ignore—the gray gloom outside. That said, I have to admit I’m not the biggest fan of Berlin’s “Adventszeit.” The Christmas markets are… let’s say underwhelming, and the city’s light decorations? Barely there. So, bear with me if my picks lean more Grinch than Christmas angel vibes.

#1 Visit the exhibition opening of Nan Goldin at Neue Nationalgalerie

One exhibition I’m particularly excited about is This Will Not End Well by artist Nan Goldin. Goldin began capturing the world of her close-knit circle of creative, bohemian friends in 1970s New York City. Her work addresses profound social issues such as gender, mental health, AIDS, and drug addiction.

Picture: Nan Goldin, courtesy of the artist (via Neue Nationalgalerie)

One exhibition I’m particularly excited about is This Will Not End Well by artist Nan Goldin. Goldin began capturing the world of her close-knit circle of creative, bohemian friends in 1970s New York City. Her work addresses profound social issues such as gender, mental health, AIDS, and drug addiction. Despite the painful themes, there’s always a striking sense of beauty in Goldin’s photography. This retrospective is the first exhibition in Germany to offer a comprehensive overview of her work.

Nan Goldin “This Will Not End Well”
Exhibition Opening on Saturday, 23.11.2024
Location: Neue Nationalgalerie, Potsdamer Str. 50, 10785 Berlin
More info (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)


… Another exhibition I’m curious about is Still — Moving by photographer Rineke Dijkstra (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) at the Berlinische Galerie. Her body of work seems quite exciting, but I often find myself disappointed by exhibitions at the Berlinische Galerie. Somehow, they never quite manage to present the artworks in an engaging way, and the information they provide about the artists and pieces often feels... superficial, in my opinion. Have you visited the current exhibition? Is it worth checking out? I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

#2 Watch unreleased films during French Film Week

I’m not really into clubbing at the moment, but I’m all for spending my evenings out of the house. For me, November is the perfect month to hit the movie theater (sometimes, if I want to be extra cozy, I even bring my hot water bottle with me). If you’re into French movies, don’t miss the French Film Week! The festival runs until November 27 at various Yorck cinemas across the city, featuring over 20 films, many of which are yet to be released.

Make a night of it: pair your movie with a cozy dinner at a French bistro like La Buvette or go fancy at the iconic Paris Bar. At the very least treat yourself to pâtisserie from La Maison or café au lait at Café Fleury for that extra French flair.

French Film Week
21.11-27.11.2024
More info (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)

#3 Join Inspiring Talks and Fresh Voices at Frohes Festival

Are you craving intellectual stimulation, meaningful conversations, and something to shake off that apathy toward politics? Frohes Festival is for you. Featuring authors, artists, and fresh voices tackling today’s big socio-political issues—from love & sex to queerness, Black literature, human rights, and democratic resistance—this event promises inspiring talks, engaging podcasts, thought-provoking readings, and exciting new formats.

The festival will host guests like Alice Hasters, Hengameh Yaghoobifarah, Natasha A. Kelly, and many more.

Frohes Festival
Friday and Saturday, 22.-23.11
Location: Silent Green,
More info and tickets (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)

#4 Shop unique christmas presents

If you're on the hunt for unique Christmas presents, I'm currently working on a gift guide featuring Berlin's fashion, beauty, and interior brands—stay tuned in the coming weeks. In the meantime, if you're already in the holiday shopping spirit, here are some shopping opportunities to check out this weekend:

+++ Affordable prints and photography: Berlin Affordable Art Market (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), 22.-24.11 (Friday to Sunday) at Arena, Eichenstraße 4, 12435 Berlin (… last time I spotted quite some nice photography!)

+++ If you’re on the hunt for a fresh take on the classic socks-and-scarf gift: Suistainable Fashion Archive Sale Dawn x Rotholz (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), 22-24.11 (Friday to Sunday) at DAWN Studio⁠, Hasenheide 54⁠ 10967 Berlin⁠ (… if you’’re looking for an updated version of the classic socks and scarf gift)

+++ For the little sister or best friend still embracing their Y2K era: 10€ Second Hand Sale (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), 24.11 (Sunday) at Let Them Eat Cake, Weserstr. 164, 12045 Berlin (… for the little sister or best friend which is still in their Y2K era)

+++ Beautiful jewelry for your loved ones: Melange Pop-up Second Edition (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), 22.-23.11 (Friday to Saturday) at Rekorder Galerie, Chamissoplatz 4, 10965 Berlin

#5 Spent your Sunday in my favorite museums shops

Berlin not only has fantastic museums but also some amazing museum shops where you can browse through rows and rows of incredible books—even on a Sunday. This happens to be one of my favorite winter Sunday activities. Even if you’re not up for a full exhibition visit, you can still drop by the museum bookshops for free.

Here are my top picks:

• Buchhandlung Walther König at Helmut Newton Foundation: A stunning selection of (fashion) photography books, and you can often find gorgeous coffee table books at a reduced price.
  

• Buchhandlung Walther König at Gropius Bau: More focused on architecture, but with a wide variety of biographies and contemporary literature.
  

• C/O Berlin Bookshop: Smaller in size but offers an excellent selection of photography books and cool magazines.

Please subscribe to this newsletter (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)to have it delivered to your inbox every week. Feel free to write me at agenda.gotplans@gmail.com (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) if you want to share a recommendation, or have any feedback or suggestions. Your input means a lot to me.

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I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Kate from agenda - got plans?

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