#312: Berlin reacts to Solingen attack
What was the Avus?
Dear 20 Percent,
I probably haven’t mentioned this but I’ve been full-time parenting my two- and five-year-old for the past six months. You see, in February, my whole family managed to get fired from a kindergarten because we as parents had too many questions. I know what you’re thinking. No, we’re not those kind of parents, I swear. It’s complicated. Maybe a story for a future newsletter.
Anyway, after half a year of Kita-less dad-time, my two sons are doing their Eingewöhnung (familiarisation) at their new Kita. It’s way better than the previous one and is staffed by competent people who care about children, which is a good start. I’ve been there with my kids for a week. Today I left the Kita for a ten-minute walk. The first “separation”. Much success. Tears were not shed.
Luckily, it’s not a state-run Kita, where unions are threatening another strike in September, with employees demanding better conditions and an improved adult-child ratio. Legitimate demands. Childcare is not easy work, and incredibly important. Sadly, it’s grossly undervalued.
Unsurprisingly, however, some 700 kids have been taken out of the strike-affected daycare facilities by parents who are sick of having to skip work because of the strikes. 🤷
More news below!
Maurice
PS A warm thank you to this issue’s generous sponsor, foreigner-friendly insurance portal Feather.
Wegner reacts to Solingen
Following the arrest of a Syrian man suspected of carrying out last Friday’s fatal knife attack in Solingen, debate over knife bans, Islamist terror and illegal immigration has erupted amongst Germany’s political class. Berlin mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) chimed in, demanding the rapid deportation of migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected. Easier said than done. In Berlin alone, 16,000 people are awaiting deportation but in reality only 25% leave the country, for a variety of reasons. Often, as was the case with the alleged Solinger attacker, people go under the radar. Meanwhile, Berlin’s interior minister Iris Spranger (SPD) called for “knife-ban zones” and more public video surveillance. Wegner accused the federal government of inaction: “We must finally protect our borders against illegal immigration, as all 16 state premiers have been calling on the federal government to do for months.” Tight controls on all German borders is not something I see happeneng any time soon, as it’s tricky for a country smack in the middle of Europe which is so dependent on trade to pull off.
Cashless!
From September 1, all BVG buses will go cashless. Card-only payments. Makes sense. Lowers costs. Boosts safety for drivers. Speeds up transactions. And besides, “around 99% of passengers already have a valid ticket” when they step onto a bus, according to BVG. While we’re on transport news: Heads up, from 10pm on September 13, S-Bahn service to the airport will be suspended for track maintenance. The thought of taking a Schienenersatzverkehr bus to BER is the stuff of nightmares. Thank god, the FEX and other regional trains will be running normally.
Millions for food footprint start-up
Not the zillions that flowed into short-lived food delivery services like Gorillas, but a hell of a lot better for the planet. Berlin-based Root, a company that helps the food industry reduce its carbon footprint, has raised $8 million. The firm, which was founded two years ago, dives deep into supply chains, indentifying ways to reduce emissions on the way. Very cool. Plus their team photo isn’t all blue shirts and white sneakers. Respect.
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Selected events from The Next Day Berlin
🎸Pop-Kultur Festival
Wed-Fri, 28-30.08. Kulturbrauerei. Tickets: 18.20/81.25€. 🎧 Mary Ocher
A festival for those who love indie, pop and electronica, and want to discover new faces. This is a special edition celebrating their 10th anniversary.
🕺Late Summer Party with Sound Metaphors & Sway
Saturday, 31.08, 2 - 10 pm. gART.n, Blockdammweg 1. Tickets: 15€.
A super cool DJ team will bring fun and a laidback vibe with house and disco music to this cozy garden. 🎧Tania Just
🛏️Sex: Jewish Positions
Until 06.10. Daily 10 am to 6 pm. Jewish Museum Berlin, Lindenstr. 9–14. Tickets: €10. Museums Sonntag: Free entry on Sun, 01.09.
The exhibition plays with the differing perceptions of sexuality in Judaism. Modern and contemporary art, traditional artifacts, film, and new media illustrate a range of Jewish positions that have been discussed for centuries in the canon of rabbinic literature.
Germany-wide news
✈️ Russian drones over Germany?
🧑🏭 Eastern Germany needs foreign workers
🗳️ How to vote in Germany if you're a US citizen
Podcasting is Easy. Podcasting is Hard. Just Like Sex.
Anybody can do it. Some have elevated it to an art form. Podcasting is all about communication: connecting, listening, holding your audience and whispering in their ear a little. Having fun. Dirty or clean, podcasting is about the people and stories you explore. Online and in-person courses this Fall. 20% Discount for 20 Percent readers at The Berlin School of Podcasting.
Factoid
The 19-km Avus car racing track was inaugurated in 1921 and was considered the world’s first automobile-only road. The track ran from the Funkturm through Grunewald to Nikolassee. Though accessible to the public in the 1920s and 1930s for a fee, it was connected to the Reichsautobahn network in 1940. It continued to host races through the late 1990s. Today, drivers pass the Avus grandstand on the A115 to Potsdam but now the city has unveiled new plans that would move the highway away from the stands. The space in front of the protected historical structure will apparently be used to park trucks for the nearby Messe (exhibition grounds), an undignified fate for the famous grandstand, according to some commentators.
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Did you dare ask for better service at the Kindergarten?