When I woke up in the morning, I honestly didn’t feel like going to the Carnival of Cultures. The thought of crowds and crowded streets was unappealing to me. I was close to changing my plans and just staying home. But then I decided to give it a chance and at least stop by for a brief moment. After all, I had my camera with me and maybe I could take some interesting photos.

When I arrived at the Mehringdamm subway station in Kreuzberg, it was indeed as crowded as I had feared. People of all nationalities and cultures were celebrating in the streets and the music was deafeningly loud. Despite my initial impulse to give up, I decided to at least take a few more steps and give myself and the Carnival of Cultures the promised chance.

The colorful, often traditional costumes, the captivating music, the positive and open energy emanating from all sides… simply captivating… Inspired by the diverse impressions around me, I let myself drift in the crowd.

With the camera in hand, I began to photograph the dancers and their elaborate floats, trying to capture the atmosphere through photography. I was fascinated by the details, the colors, the passion, and the pride that could be felt in every movement.

The more I perceived my surroundings through the camera viewfinder, the deeper I immersed myself in the literally dense atmosphere. I forgot about the crowds around me and let myself be guided by the magic of the carnival. Sharing in the joy and fun that everyone was having with my camera felt like a refreshing shower.

Surrounded by so many cultures and people, all passionately involved and creating an atmosphere of tolerance and openness towards me and my camera, I thought to myself: “What a fitting celebration for Berlin… I live in a livable and inspiring city!

When the world is light, time flies by, and before I knew it, it was already after 6 pm.

I was now at Hermannplatz in Neukölln, where I bid farewell to the colorful hustle and bustle as I headed towards the subway. On the way back, I reflected on the many experiences and impressions of the day; I had made new acquaintances, taken beautiful photos, experienced a cultural diversity that deeply touched me, and celebrated humanity with people.

The Carnival of Cultures 2023 once again showed me that the best experiences often await me when I overcome my inner resistance and embrace the unknown. Inspiring!