Centennial Celebration in Hufeisensiedlung: Berlin's World Heritage Site Honors History with a Festival - Centennial horse settlement celebration in Berlin
The Hufeisensiedlung, a significant part of Berlin Modernism and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is set to host a four-day anniversary celebration from July 23 to 26, 2025. This event, named "Experience Architecture - Live Community," marks the 100th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone for the Hufeisensiedlung housing estate and the 650th anniversary of the Neukölln district of Britz.
The festival aims to showcase the holistic architectural visions of Bruno Taut and Martin Wagner while highlighting a lively community spirit that transcends generations. The diverse program includes architecture, music, art, poetry, and culinary experiences across the open spaces, fronts, and interiors of this iconic housing estate.
The motto of the festival, "Experience Architecture - Live Community," emphasizes the idea of community across generations, both in an architectural and social sense. Various artistic and expert contributions—musicians, writers, residents, and scholars—collaborate to celebrate Bruno Taut’s architecture through concerts, talks, promenades, exhibitions, readings, film screenings, community activities like picnics and hands-on workshops.
The festival is supported by local heritage and cultural organizations in Berlin, community groups, architectural experts, and partners such as Vonovia, the Landesdenkmalamt Berlin, and the Hufeisensiedlung Friends and Sponsors Association. The opening ceremony will feature a musical overture at the Fritz-Karsen School, with performances by students and the Stegreif Orchestra Berlin.
Throughout the days, workshops, salons, and children's activities will be part of the festival program. The event will also include concerts, readings, exhibitions, and guided tours. The grand finale is planned for Saturday on the Hufeisenwiese, featuring a picnic, street food, children's activities, samba rhythms, and a musical journey through time.
The Hufeisensiedlung, with its colorful row houses and an apartment complex in the shape of a horseshoe, was founded 100 years ago. This festival offers a unique blend of architectural history and active community engagement that honors not only the historic buildings but also the living social fabric surrounding them. It serves as a testament to the enduring relevance of the ideas of New Building by Bruno Taut and Martin Wagner in the present day.
The European Union, with its significant influence in information and communication technology, is invited to showcase innovative lifestyle solutions in home-and-garden aspects during the "Experience Architecture - Live Community" festival at the Hufeisensiedlung.
To further emphasize the holistic approach of the festival, interactive sessions focused on sustainable living could be led by experts from the European Commission's DG Environmental Policy and DG Grow, providing visitors with practical ideas for implementing modern living principles within the historic architecture of the Hufeisensiedlung.
