I asked myself few posts ago what word could define Berlin’s atmosphere better? Don’t know if I’ll change my mind in time (and probably I will) but for now, when I think of Berlin, I think of music. I think Berlin’s heart is not Alexanderplatz tower, but a drum that plays different types of rhythms wherever you go.
And I don’t refer to those rhythms you can hear in clubs or organized parties. I refer to that street entertainment, able to bring drops of joy while you go to work, to school or to meet a friend and to make your day better.
Last week, while heading to Deutsch Akademie, three boys were standing in front of the U-bahn station inviting people to watch their break dance. Same evening, getting down at Eberswalderstrasse, another band was performing some really cool songs, trying to sell their 5 euro CD. A lot of people were standing there, dancing and applauding the performers. It takes quite some guts to stop somewhere and make a show out of nothing!
Two weeks ago, in Alexanderplatz, I heard two sopranos performing my most favorite opera aria – The Flower Duet from Lakmé (Delibes). They sang so beautiful, that people stopped for a while just to enjoy their voices. For a few minutes, even the time seemed to have taken a break.
The history repeated in Postdamer Platz this weekend, but this time some reggae rhythms entertained the audience. I stopped again and I thought that maybe this is the way the city talks to people, advising them not to take themselves too seriously, but enjoy every day.