Berlin's taz lab sparks debate with activists, artists, and politicians in Kreuzberg
Chairs are being rearranged, a few cameras are already rolling, and from Kochstraße subway station, a steady stream of people is clearly making its way toward the taz building—and this just before nine on a Saturday morning. Perfect taz lab weather: not a drop of rain all day, just plenty of sunshine, though the early temperatures are brisk. Wool hats are everywhere, some even wearing gloves. "Good morning. If you want democracy, you have to get up early." With these words, Doris Akrap, head of the taz society section, opens one of the day's first panels. Its title: "Boondoggle or Pillar of Democracy—What's Going on with Public Broadcasters?"
Five minutes into the discussion, a surprised face peers through the door: "Oh, it's packed, huh? Better close the door, then." But somewhere, a spot can still be found for this latecomer too. And sometimes, you just have to nudge your way in—with a mix of affection and determination. After all, that's the motto of this year's taz lab: "Let's Get Real—Passionate & Uncompromising."
At the taz lab, held annually since 2009 and now in its 17th edition, questions are asked, debates unfold, and heads occasionally shake in disbelief. Across more than 120 events, the pressing issues of our time take center stage: the climate crisis, the lessons from Hungary's recent anti-right-wing populist election, and the future of the left.
With equal passion, the taz lab tackles art, queer fashion, and dating alongside discussions on the Middle East, Russia's war against Ukraine, the U.S. under Donald Trump, and how to push back the far-right AfD. The range of topics could hardly be broader. Guests include familiar and fresh faces from politics, activism, and media—among them Lars Klingbeil, Kristin Hellberg, Paul Mason, Gilda Sahebi, Steffen Mau, Anastasia Tikhomirova, Nils Kumkar, and Eva Illouz.
Much of the focus is on the upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania this fall. What strategies do we need to counter the right? The voices responding are diverse. Rachel Hanf, a 20-year-old activist who helped organize Grevesmühlen's first Pride march, shares her experiences.
During the panel "Bet You… Democracy Will Win?" she describes how her team faced obstruction from the CDU, the AfD, and the far right. "My team was attacked on social media. Nazis showed up at my door," she says. A hush falls over the yellow stage in the park beneath the trees. taz editor-in-chief Katrin Gottschalk asks if she ever wondered why she keeps doing this. Hanf replies: "No one else was doing anything. So I said: I'll have to step up." The audience applauds, moved by this young activist's resolve.
Meanwhile, author and taz lab guest Jacinta Nandi is doubled over in laughter. She's seated with three other writers on the "Rakete 2000" reading stage on the rooftop terrace of the Frizz Forum. In front of them, taz lab editor Mareike Barmeyer reads from her piece "Sluts Over 50." The mood is lively, and the sun's rays finally bring warmth to the terrace.
Down in Besselpark, in front of the taz building in Berlin-Kreuzberg, small groups sit on the grass, continuing their debates or taking a break. On the play street, an argument flares over who won the last race. A child has finally talked their father into buying another slice of cake. The "Grandmas Against the Right" are back with their stall at the taz lab too.
Angelika Krüger, standing behind the group's small blue booth, explains that this is their fourth time participating because the taz lab is a great place "to just strike up conversations—whether with the public or other organizations."
A little way off on the grass, Anja B.—a reader of our website for 40 years—sits at one of the picnic tables. She's crocheting a red square for the patchwork blanket taking shape during the all-day knitting workshop. Of the our website lab, she says, "What I love most is the sense of community and all the different activities." Last year, she spontaneously got the site's paw-print logo tattooed at the tattoo booth. "Who knows," she adds, "maybe this year I'll find time for a second one."
