"Wissensstadt Berlin 2021“ – Our Top 10 Events

Berlin celebrates science. The centrepiece of the festival is an open-air exhibition in front of the Rotes Rathaus (Red City Hall), accompanied by a colourful stage programme. In addition, exhibitions, lectures, conferences, and presentations will take place throughout Brain City Berlin until the end of the year. We’ve put together a few highlights for you.

1. „Helmholtz, Virchow and the Beginnings of Berlin as a City of Knowledge": The anniversary exhibition in the Rotes Rathaus focuses on the pioneering achievements of Rudolf Virchow and Hermann von Helmholtz. The two famous Berlin scientists were born 200 years ago. The physician and politician Rudolf Virchow headed Germany’s first pathological institute at the Charité and initiated the introduction of a sewage system and centralised drinking water supply in Berlin. The physicist Hermann von Helmholtz is still considered one of the most important natural scientists, who also made ground-breaking contributions in many fields other than physics. The special exhibition takes visitors on a journey back in time to the 19th century.
   
   26/6 to 22/8/21, Rotes Rathaus, free admission
    
2. "Aktionstag“ (Activity Day):  On Saturday, 7 August, a visit to the open-air exhibition in front of the Rotes Rathaus is particularly worthwhile. On this Activity Day, numerous Berlin scientists will be giving live demonstrations to provide insights into their research and answering questions. Topics include intelligent mobility in the city, current safety research, or modern cuneiform research.  At the “Teddy Bear Hospital”, students of the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin treat cuddly toys of pre-school children.
   
   7/8/21, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., "Zentrum der Wissensstadt Berlin" (Wissensstadt Berlin Centre) in front of the Rotes Rathaus, free admission
   
    
3. Science tours: Those who do not want to explore the open-air exhibition in front of the Rotes Rathaus on their own can take part in exciting guided tours. For example, a “Health Tour”, a “Climate Tour”, or a guided tour on “Living Together in the City” will be offered. Other tours follow “In the Footsteps of Nobel Prize Winners” or deal with the “Responsibility of Science”. The “Soundwalks Berlin” with recording devices through the city are full of sound. And on the interactive “Overview Tour of Fake & Facts from the ‘German Oxford’” through Berlin-Dahlem, the participants decide on the spot whether the anecdotes from science are true or “fake news”. 
   
   14/7 to 30/10/21, free admission; tickets for the tours in Dahlem cost €5/reduced €3 
   
    
4. “How Can Social Coexistence in the City Succeed?” This is the question posed by the “Grand Challenge Initiative” of the Berlin University Alliance, an alliance of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. The researchers of the project “Social Cohesion and Civil Society” will present their interdisciplinary research project in a panel discussion. Taking part: Brain City Ambassador Dr. Jule Specht, Professor at the Institut of Psychology of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
   
   3/8/21, 7:30 p.m., "Zentrum der Wissensstadt Berlin“ in front of the Rotes Rathaus, free admission
   
    
5. “Corona, my Uninvited Interim Tenant”: The pandemic poses enormous challenges for people. How can these be effectively countered after the lockdown? Dr. Frank Jacobi, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the Psychologische Hochschule Berlin (Psychological University of Berlin, PHB) will present scientifically researched behavioural measures in his lecture. He will also present mental strategies that can help us to cope with these exceptional situations.
   
   12/8/21, 6 p.m., "Zentrum der Wissensstadt Berlin“ in front of the Rotes Rathaus, free admission
   
    
6. Wissensstadt Summer Cinema: The programme includes the science fiction classic “Soylent Green”, as well as a documentary about the famous American sex educator Dr. Ruth Westheimer and the comedy “The Nutty Professor” with Jerry Lewis. The Wissensstadt Berlin 2021 film series is not just for entertainment. Scientists are invited to each screening to discuss the film with the audience. Moderated by Knut Elstermann.
   
   26/7/21 to 1/8/21, 9 p.m., "Zentrum der Wissensstadt Berlin“ in front of the Rotes Rathaus, free admission 
   
    
7. 2 x future: What will Berlin look like in 10 years? How does the city need to change? In the three-day workshop "The City of the Future", children aged five to 12 redesign the city. At the "Future Forum 2021" on the other hand, young people from age 13 and adults will deal with the urgent issues of our time. Using practical examples, environmental and climate researchers will present projects, ideas, and solutions for discussion in workshops. At barcamps, participants can also present their own topics and ideas. Both events make it clear: The future concerns us all!
   
   Children’s workshop "The City of the Future“,  23 to 25/7/21, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., "Zentrum der Wissensstadt Berlin“ in front of the Rotes Rathaus, free admission
   "Future Forum 2021“, 21/8/21 12 p.m., Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, North Campus, free admission
   
    
8. Open Humboldt Festival 2021: The two-week festival on the grounds of the North Campus of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin combines science and art. The programme includes theatre performances, dance, concerts, exhibitions, discussions, and excursions. Most of the events take place outdoors. One week before the festival, Freie Universität Berlin will also be presenting science on stage in an unconventional way with a science slam.
   
   Science Slam of FU Berlin, 7/8/21, 6:30 p.m., "Zentrum der Wissensstadt Berlin“ in front of the Rotes Rathaus, free admission
   Open Humboldt Festival 2021, 16 to 29/8/21, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, North Campus, free admission
   
    
9. „Salon Fähig“: The show of the Berlin science variety theatre is all about “Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Art”. The starting point is an old European salon tradition. Since the Enlightenment, scientists have met writers, musicians and visual artists in salons for interdisciplinary exchange. The motto of the evening: Science doesn’t have to be difficult if you are enthusiastic about it and are able to find a creative approach.
   
   7/8/21, 8 p.m., "Zentrum der Wissensstadt Berlin“ in front of the Rotes Rathaus, free admission
   
    
10. Berlin Science Week 2021: This year, the ten-day science festival will once again turn Brain City Berlin into a meeting place for the international science community. Leading researchers and representatives of scientific institutions from around the world come together to celebrate science, network with each other, and exchange ideas with the public. The Berlin Science Week is coordinated by the Falling Walls Foundation. (vdo)
    
    1 to 10/11/21 – in Brain City Berlin