The Festival of Death and Dying

Berlin, Holzmarkt, January 31 - February 2, 2025

Death Festival Berlin

In today's Western culture, death and dying are still generally seen as something to be fought against, denied and above all feared. But what if we changed our perspective? There are good reasons to engage more with death and dying. When we reflect on and come to terms with mortality - our own and that of others - our lives can become richer, deeper and more precious. Mortality is, in truth, the intensification of life.

We announce the Festival on Death and Dying in Berlin, which will take place from 31 January to 2 February 2025 at Säälchen, Holzmarkt 25. Over 40 participatory workshops, performances, talks and ceremonies on various aspects of death and dying will be offered over three days. In addition to lectures and discussions, you will have experiences that encompass various facets of the topic of mortality.

Curators: Felix Ruckert, Peter Banki, Matthias Gockel

Production: Judith Salamander und Jana Scherle

Our Presenters

  • Anna Natt Portrait

    Anna Natt

    Workshop:
    Playing Dead

  • Portrait Aranja Berkmüller

    Aranja Berkmüller

    Workshop:
    Cultural Practices in Death and Grief and What They Teach Us

  • Portrait Christine Scherzer

    Christine Scherzer

    Workshop:
    Farewell clown - Finding the rainbow in a tear

  • Claudia Cardinal Portrait

    Claudia Cardinal

    Workshop:
    Who is afraid of Death?

  • Portrait Felix Ruckert

    Felix Ruckert

    Workshops:
    Tears of Sadness - Tears of Joy

  • Portrait Gunilla Göttlicher

    Gunilla Göttlicher

    Workshop:
    Who are you really, dying person?

  • Portrait Jan S. Möllers

    Jan S. Möllers

    Workshops:
    Violent Death /
    Designing your Personal Ritual

    Jan
  • Portrait Jaym* de Val

    Jaym* del Val

    Workshops:
    Extinction / Metaformance Extinction

  • Jens Dube Portrait

    Jens Dube

    Workshop:
    Playing Dead

  • Portrait Matthias Gockel

    Matthias Gockel

    Workshops:
    Letting Go/ Sudden Departure/
    Advanced Care Planning/ Assisted Suicide

  • Portrait Nattan Dobkin

    Nattan Dobkin

    Workshop:
    Queer Schiva

  • Portrait Pavel Radchenko

    Pavel Radchenko

    Workshop:
    Mourning Art - an Introductory Workshop

  • Peter Banki

    Workshops:
    Forgiveness / Modern Philosophical Perspectives on Death and Dying

  • Polina Borissowa Portrait

    Polina Borissowa

    Performance:
    The Skeleton Woman - Single Wheel Performance With Live Music

  • Rüdiger Wenk aka Phonoschrank Portrait

    Rüdiger Wenk aka Phonoschrank

    Workshop: DEATHLY SILENCE - Morning Noise Meditation

  • Portrait Ulla Rose

    Ulla Rose

    Workshop:
    Last Aid - Preparing for the end of life

  • Portrait Yolenn Julie Richter

    Yolenn Julie Richter

    Performance:
    The Skeleton Woman - Single Wheel Performance With Live Music

Workshops