#435: Neukölln buying building, bird flu, Ostbrötchen
SchwuZ wasn't able save itself. Sad face.
Hey 20 Percent!
The politicial and cultural divide between eastern and western Germany is well known but did you know a type of Brötchen also divides them?
If you want to see the difference, you’ll have to be quick as one of the few remaining Ostbrötchen master bakers (pronounce that carefully) is retiring at the end of the year, according to Tagesspiegel (paywall), and his family is closing its three bakeries in Prenzlauer Berg — Zessin. Ostbrötchen are denser than their fluffy Westbrötchen counterparts and generally come with a generous dose of East German sass (read: Berliner Schnauze).
The Zessin in Zionskirchstraße was our go-to bakery for my first few years in Berlin and, wow, I sometimes left grumpier from the gruff treatment than from my early morning hangriness. But I loved their Ostbrötchen.
Their locations:
Choriner Straße 39
Bötzowstraße 19
Zionskirchstraße 52
Give them a try if it’s not too far out of your way, and have a good weekend!
Andrew
PS: I’m doing my German one man show Aus Versehen Deutsch for possibly a last time in Berlin Nov. 13 at Downstairs Comedy Club. If you want to practice your German, come on out. I love the club and I’m looking forward to the event! Tickets here.
New searches in Rebecca Reusch case
It’s Berlin’s own version of the Madeleine McCann case — Berlin police Monday and Tuesday searched properties in Tauche and Herzberg in Brandenburg as they attempt to locate the missing Rebecca Reusch, who police believe was murdered by her brother-in-law in 2019 when she was 15, according to RBB24. Police have so far been unable to locate Reusch or gather enough evidence to charge the suspect, who has the support of Rebecca’s family. The on-again, off-again investigations have sparked strong media interest and led to several true crime podcasts and TikTok/Reels about the case. Police said they have to evaluate the evidence they gathered before saying more on the latest developments.
Berliners are quietly getting flats without the stress.
They’re using Get The Flat — a flat-hunting service that finds listings, writes messages, and requests viewings for them. It’s affordable at 79€ / month and offers a money-back guarantee.
No magic. Just smart, consistent work — done for you.
Ugh, bird flu
Bird flu has reached Berlin after thousands of dead cranes (😢) afflicted with the disease were found in northern Brandenburg, according to RBB24. Several poultry farmers have had to slaughter thousands of birds to stop the spread and the Berlin Zoo has already banished susceptible feathered friends to their indoor winter quarters to prevent infection — H5N1, the official name for bird flu, can be devastating to some wild and domestic breeds while others barely notice. Five cranes afflicted with the disease have been found in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf. If you see a dead bird, don’t touch!
Neukölln trying to buyout illegal abode
Berlin politicians aren’t doing enough to battle the housing crisis but at least they occasionally do something. Neukölln officials are working to buy an apartment building at Jansastraße 12 after some flats were illegally filled with mattresses and rented to people who have otherwise struggled to find a place to live in Berlin, according to Tagesspiegel (also paywall). The paper said the building seems derelict and the stairway reeks of urine. The federal adminstrative court in 2021 made it more difficult for governments to intervene in sketchy real estate deals but it’s the second time Neukölln has exploited its right to first refusal (Vorkaufsrecht) since then. Intervene more often, I say, especially since the buildings then end up in the hands of Berlin’s publicly owned property companies.
📆 20% Berlin co-writer Maurice produced a film about the dread we feel about the state of the world: We’re All Going to Die by Ben Knight. After a run in cinemas last year, it’s now available online. Next Wednesday there’s a little launch party to celebrate in Neukölln — with clips and a Q & A with the filmmaker. RVSP for free!
🍺 🥨 Germany-wide news 🥨 🍺
👴 Merz doubles-down on anti-immigrant statements
💶 Germany to front pay to local workers on US bases
😆 Equipment firm capitalizes off Louvre heist
Factoid
Berlin’s oldest gay club (according to itself) was founded in 1977 in then-West Berlin but will close its doors after a final party on November 1. SchwuZ failed to raise enough funds or find an investor to stave off bankruptcy, according to RBB24. The club, located in a former Kindl brewery in Neukölln, went public with its financial woes in August, citing internal strife and falling sales. Clubsterben — the extinction of Berlin clubs — is often a theme in Berlin media but it always seems a new club is just around the corner. You’ll be missed, SchwuZ!
🔗 🔗 🔗 Useful links 🔗 🔗 🔗
🎙️The 20% Berlin Podcast on Spotify