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Berlin's Thriving Latin American Cultural Scene: 'Barrio Berlin' Festival and Iconic Bookstores

Discover Berlin's booming Latin American culture. From the 'Barrio Berlin' festival to literary events at historic bookstores, the city's scene is alive and well.

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2 min read
This is a book. On the book we can see the painting of the people and text.
This is a book. On the book we can see the painting of the people and text.

Berlin's Thriving Latin American Cultural Scene: 'Barrio Berlin' Festival and Iconic Bookstores

Berlin's vibrant Latin American cultural scene is thriving, with events like the 'Barrio Berlin' festival and literary gatherings at iconic bookstores like 'La Rayuela' and 'La Escalera'.

The 'Barrio Berlin' festival, now in its final stretch until October 24, kicked off at the Ibero-American Institute's Simón Bolívar Hall. It continues to celebrate Latin American culture and literature, with all event dates available at barrioberlin.de/de/festival.

At the heart of this scene is Argentine writer José Luis Pizzi, who arrived in Berlin in 2008. He met a new generation of Latin American poets at 'La Rayuela', an antiquarian bookstore at Südstern. Pizzi co-founded 'Salón Berlinés', a Monday event that brings Latin American authors together with the audience in a rented storefront.

Pizzi's literary works chronicle the transformations of his neighborhood in Berlin, including the gentrification of Rixdorf. His colleague, Chilean poet Martha Gantier, also found inspiration in the city. Her poem 'Ringbahn' reflects her experiences and observations of Berlin's public transportation system, while 'I Don't Want to Die in Berlin' was written after the 'american express' fall of the Berlin Wall.

The 'Andenbuch' bookstore, once a central meeting place for Latin American cultural creators and exiles, was initially located on Nollendorfstraße. Before 2014, Germán Restrepo founded 'La Escalera', another antiquarian bookstore that hosted readings, workshops, and concerts in its courtyard, collaborating with Pizzi.

Gantier first came to West Berlin in 1983-1987 and was part of the Latin American literary scene in the city. The opening discussion of the 'Barrio Berlin' festival featured Peruvian author and journalist Juan Carlos Mendez, Gantier, and Pizzi.

The 'Barrio Berlin' festival continues to celebrate Latin American culture, with events inspired by the literary gatherings at iconic bookstores like 'La Rayuela' and 'La Escalera'. The works of José Luis Pizzi and Martha Gantier, among others, reflect the vibrant and ever-changing cultural landscape of Berlin.

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