Highlights of the lesbian-gay city festival in Berlin: music, tradition and politics

Highlights of the lesbian-gay city festival in Berlin: music, tradition and politics

Lesbian-gay city festival in Berlin: These are the highlights at the weekend

Berlin is known for its colorful and open LGBTQ scene. The annual lesbian gay city festival at Nollendorfplatz in Schöneberg is an integral part of the city's queer culture. The largest lesbian gay city festival in Europe attracts thousands of visitors again this year. On July 15th and 16th, visitors can expect a varied program on six stages that offers something for every musical taste.

A highlight of the festival is the gay men's choir "The Men Minne". This first gay male choir of Berlin is dedicated to taboo topics such as Christmas, wild west, biblical history, the fairy tales of the brothers Grimm or the divult. Under the direction of Holger Perschke, the choir presents pieces by Friedrich Hollaender, Bruno Balz and Cole Porter. The "Men-Minne" will perform on the city festival stage on Saturday at 5:40 p.m.

Another highlight are the "cross platlers", a group of gay shoe plattler from Berlin. The dancers combine gay identity with a Bavarian tradition in a curious way. Even the Samberger Nachrichten has already become aware of the "Querplattler". The funny group will be performed on July 16 at 4:40 p.m. on the city festival stage.

music lovers can go on a trip to the golden twenties. Sigrid Grajek and the pianist Stefanie Rediske present songs from the years between the two world wars. Dressed in Federboa or Frack, everyone who wants nostalgia are welcome. The performance will take place on Saturday at 3:15 p.m. on the Frauen-Lesben-Trans-stage.

For friends of dark electronic pop music, Wieland is an absolute must. The Berlin singer has been writing his own songs for ten years and will rock the queer media stage on July 15th at 9:50 p.m.

Another musical highlight is MKSM. The young man who lived in Russia, Ukraine, Frankfurt, London and Berlin sings political campaign songs and has already been awarded the "LGBTQ Music Award". His song "Shared Room" is a declaration of love for his husband and will be heard on the Queeren Medienbühne on July 16 at 8:15 p.m.

A highlight of the festival is the "wild sofa". Prominent guests such as the ruling mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner (CDU), and the Federal Minister of Family Lisa Paus (Greens) will discuss on the subject of "The Signs of Time". The Rainbow Award is then awarded, which are awarded to people and groups who are committed to gender equality and sexual diversity.

The former ruling mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, will be present as patron of the event. Together with the Green politician Elisabeth Ziemer, he officially opens the city festival on Saturday at 4:25 p.m.

The Lesbian Gay Stadtfest in Berlin offers an extensive and varied program for all visitors. Whether music lovers, dance enthusiasts or politically interested - everyone gets their money's worth here.