Karneval der Kulturen
Karneval der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures) is a multicultural festival in Kreuzberg, Berlin, celebrated annually around Pentecost weekend since 1996. It is organised by the Werkstatt der Kulturen. The processions, theatre performances, and music events celebrate peace, tolerance, and multiculturalism.
History
The Werkstatt der Kulturen was founded in October 1993 in Neukölln, Berlin, patronised by the Berlin Senate. The first Karneval der Kulturen took place on 15 and 16 May 1996 around Ascension Thursday. It was inspired by other European carnevals such as the Notting Hill Carnival in London and the Zomercarnaval in Rotterdam.
The Karneval der Kulturen then grew to a four-day festival with numerous musical and theatrical performances. The number of visitors grew from 50,000 in 1996 to 300,000 in 1997, 1 million in 2000, to 1.5 million in 2003.[1] The number of procession groups also grew from 2,200 to more than 4,000.[2] These procession groups come from all over Germany, but many also come from South America and Africa.[3]
References
- ^ Frei, Kerstin (2003). Wer sich maskiert, wird integriert. Der Karneval der Kulturen in Berlin. Berlin: Schiler. ISBN 3-89930-008-4.
- ^ http://de.indymedia.org//2004/05/84423.shtml
- ^ Knecht, Michi (2007). Wie der Karneval der Kulturen denkt, lernt und Kultur macht. Berlin: Panama-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938714-01-0.
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