Dorothee Elmiger receives the German Book Prize 2025 for “Die Holländerinnen” (“The Dutch Women”). 

Statement from the jury: “This novel is an event. A writer recounts her journey into the South American jungle with a theatre group, retracing the path of two Dutch women who disappeared there years earlier. Along the way, the group shares unsettling stories. The deeper they venture into the thicket and mire, the more Elmiger pulls the reader into a vortex of fear. Her novel tells of people who descend into their ‘darkest opposite’. Not only Elmiger’s language is oblique – so is her reference to our present, which is sinking, step by step, into hubris. Her style is at once distant and yet gripping. ‘Die Holländerinnen’ (‘The Dutch Women’) – a fascinating journey into the heart of darkness.” 

The winner will read from the award-winning novel in the Atelier. In the conversation with author Thomas Böhm, all participants are invited to join the discussion.

The German Book Prize is one of the most important literary prizes in Germany. The Deutsche Bank Foundation is the main sponsor of this award.

In cooperation with the Deutsche Bank Foundation

In German.
Price: 9€. Limited capacity. You can obtain a ticket here. SOLD OUT

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Photo: Christof Jakob

Deutsche Bank “Artist of the Year” 2025, Charmaine Poh is a member of the Asian Feminist Studio for Art and Research (AFSAR), a dynamic platform that addresses the urgent need for transnational discourse through decentralized and reciprocal exchange between Asian and diasporic Asian art practitioners.

As part of Berlin Science Week, a hybrid storytelling session will focus on several women-led communities in China: the Comb Sisters (from Guangdong) and Vegetarian Women (from Fujian), as well as folk religion centering female deities. Members of AFSAR, Charmaine Poh, Christina Yuna Ko, Hye-in Park, and Mooni Perry will share their research on the disappearing history and culture of these powerful independent communities, and what it means to form community in this time. The conversation will be moderated by journalist and Missy Magazine co-founder Sonja Eismann, whose work and teaching center on feminism and pop culture.

In English. The event can also be streamed on YouTube.
Price: 9€. Limited capacity. You can obtain a ticket here.

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Photo: Seven Fairies Temple, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, Hong Kong

Berlin's literary scene is on the move: traditional publishing houses have returned to the city, and numerous new publishers have emerged. We want to dedicate a special event format at the PalaisPopulaire to both: "writers’stage – New Literature from Berlin." Katharina von Uslar and Edgar Rai select the most exciting voices from the latest publishing programs, introduce the authors, and discuss their new novels with them.

In the second part of the series, we welcome three young authors to the stage: Christian Baron with his novel "Drei Schwestern" (Claasen Verlag), Elisabeth Pape with "Halbe Portion" (Suhrkamp Verlag), and Elina Penner with "Die Unbußfertigen" (Aufbau Verlag). In a relaxed atmosphere, they talk with Katharina von Uslar and Edgar Rai about the background of the novels, everyday life and literature, and read selected passages from the novels.

In cooperation with the Uslar & Rai bookstore

In German
Cost: 9€. Limited Capacity. You can obtain a ticket here.
The exhibition can be visited before the reading until 7pm.

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Christian Baron, Photo: Hans Scherhaufer; Elina Penner, Photo: Kai Senf; Elisabeth Pape, Photo: Max Zerrahn

Explore the works by Charmaine Poh, "Artist of the Year" 2025 by phone. During the one-hour telephone tour, led by art historian Sarah Steiner, the works are explained in detail, the participants will discuss the background and themes of the exhibition. Sighted visitors are also welcome!

In cooperation with Bei Anruf Kultur

In German
Free of charge. Please registere here. 
You will receive the telephone access data for the event after you register.

Charmaine Poh – Deutsche Bank "Artist of the Year" 2025 – lives in Berlin and Singapore and works with video, installation and performance. Her multimedia narratives center on identity and power structures, feminism and queerness in Southeast Asia. In her work, multiple perspectives and perceptions – past and future – overlap like a flowing stream of consciousness. During this guided tour led by art educator Dr. Elisabeth Klotz, selected works will be presented and explained. Sighted visitors are also welcome!

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Free of charge. Advance registration is required. Please register at palais.populaire@db.com or by calling (030) 20 20 93 15.

Sprachcafés are places for meeting others – for people who want to practice and improve their German or simply feel like meeting other Berliners.

As part of the exhibition Make a travel deep of your inside, and don’t forget me to take, visitors can participate in a Sprachcafé at PalaisPopulaire. Each meeting will focus on one of the exhibited artworks and offer the opportunity to exchange thoughts on themes of migration, community and language.

The meetings will be led by Dóra Sági, an expert in German in multilingual contexts and aesthetic language education. Whether young or old, new or long-time Berliner – everyone is welcome at the language café to discuss art, society, and personal experiences over a drink.

In German
Pleaser register at the ticket shop.

Just in time for the 1st weekend of Advent, BASALAI Flowers Berlin is offering a workshop on Advent wreath crafting. In a relaxed environment, unique wreaths are made together, consisting of glass balls in different colors and sizes. There are no limits to creativity!

Included in the price are the materials needed for a wreath of Christmas balls (Ø 30 cm) as well as a drink and snacks. It is possible to purchase additional candles or decorations on site.

Get your tickets now and start a beautiful Advent season together.

As part of the Adventfestival at the PalaisPopulaire

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In English, Ukrainian, German, Russian
Cost: 69€. Including mulled wine/ apple punch and cinnamon rolls. You can obtain a ticket here.

Just in time for the 1st weekend of Advent, BASALAI Flowers Berlin is offering a workshop on Advent wreath crafting. In a relaxed environment, unique wreaths are made together, consisting of glass balls in different colors and sizes. There are no limits to creativity!

Included in the price are the materials needed for a wreath of Christmas balls (Ø 30 cm) as well as a drink and snacks. It is possible to purchase additional candles or decorations on site.

Get your tickets now and start a beautiful Advent season together.

As part of the Adventfestival at the PalaisPopulaire

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In English, Ukrainian, German, Russian
Cost: 69€. Including mulled wine/ apple punch and cinnamon rolls. You can obtain a ticket here.

Join us as we kick off the pre-Christmas season! On the first Advent, we invite you to a day full of creativity, art, music, and festive atmosphere at PalaisPopulaire. At our design and craft market, you can discover selected products from the fields of ceramics, jewelry, art, and more. Festive Advent wreaths will be created in a workshop with BASALAI FLOWERS (tickets here). For the youngest, there is a children's book reading in cooperation with the bookstore Krumulus, followed by a workshop (please register here). Or dive into the exhibition Make a travel deep of your inside, and don’t forget me to take by our “Artist of the Year,” Charmaine Poh, and enjoy winter treats like hot punch and fresh waffles at our Christmas stand.

Charmaine Poh is Deutsche Bank "Artist of the Year" 2025. She lives in Berlin and Singapore. She works with video, installation and performance. In her work, she explores themes such as agency and repair, as well as the visibility and invisibility of queerness and femininity in Asia. During this guided tour in simple language, selected works will be presented and explained following with a discussion on the topics.

In German
Free of charge. Registration is not necessary for this tour.

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Charmaine Poh, public solitude, 2022 © Charmaine Poh

Charmaine Poh – Deutsche Bank "Artist of the Year" 2025 – lives in Berlin and Singapore and works with video, installation and performance. Her multimedia narratives center on identity and power structures, feminism and queerness in Southeast Asia. In her work, multiple perspectives and perceptions – past and future – overlap like a flowing stream of consciousness. During this guided tour by artist Veronika Kranzpiller, you will have the opportunity to discuss selected works in German Sign Language.

In German Sign Language
Free of charge. Registration is not necessary for this tour.

With the exhibition Make a travel deep of your inside, and don’t forget me to take, Charmaine Poh, addresses themes such as time travel, ecology, responsible action, and resistance, among others. Her films reflect the interwoven facets of Singapore, and thus tradition and modernity, as well as nature with its diverse landscapes, also serve as starting points for the concert program. 

With his work 'Naturale for Viola, Percussion and Tape' (1985), Italian composer Luciano Berio combines so-called 'Abbagnate' (street vendor calls) from tape with the transcription of Sicilian folk songs for viola (Sebastian Krunnies) and percussion (Jan Schlichte). The concert's second work, 'Duo for Viola and Percussion' by composer Tigran Mansurian, also offers stylistically and musically appealing perspectives. Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker introduce themselves and their instruments during the concert and discuss the presented works, their interpretations, and their approach in a relaxed atmosphere. Afterwards, a guided tour of the exhibition will take place for concertgoers.

Price: € 22 incl. French breakfast. Limited capacity. You can obtain a ticket here from October 28, 2025, 12 pm.
Free choice of seats on site.

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Sebastian Krunnies & Jan Schlichte, Photos: Stefan Hoederath

Sprachcafés are places for meeting others – for people who want to practice and improve their German or simply feel like meeting other Berliners.

As part of the exhibition Make a travel deep of your inside, and don’t forget me to take, visitors can participate in a Sprachcafé at PalaisPopulaire. Each meeting will focus on one of the exhibited artworks and offer the opportunity to exchange thoughts on themes of migration, community and language.

The meetings will be led by Dóra Sági, an expert in German in multilingual contexts and aesthetic language education. Whether young or old, new or long-time Berliner – everyone is welcome at the language café to discuss art, society, and personal experiences over a drink.

In German
Pleaser register at the ticket shop.

Since 2010, Deutsche Bank has honored artists every year, thus offering a platform for new positions in contemporary art. The work of the "Artist of the Year" 2025 should be of social and artistic relevance and should develop new perspectives on the present. A curated selection of these works can be seen in the meeting rooms of Quartier Zukunft. During this guided tour, art historian Dr. Elisabeth Klotz provides exciting insights into the background of the works and introduces the artists.

Meeting point: in front of the entrance to Quartier Zukunft, Friedrichstraße 181, 10117 Berlin
Price: €5 (incl. a glass of sparkling wine). Limited capacity. You can obtain a ticket here.

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Photo: Frederike van der Straeten / Berliner Philharmoniker

Discover the exhibition Make a travel deep of your inside, and don’t forget me to take at PalaisPopulaire with music, drinks, and guided art tours. The exhibition remains open until 9 pm, with short guided tours at 7 and 8 pm.

Stay tuned—details on the program will follow.

Through poetry and movement, Bella and Dira share their first experiences of queer self-discovery. As part of the Indonesian queer diaspora, they navigate themes of migration, loneliness, and belonging. When they meet, they find connection, support, and a sense of grounding in each other.

Free of charge. Limited capacity. Please register here.
The performance is part of the multi-part performance series "feeling backwards, across tongues." The next event is scheduled for February 5, 2026.

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Bella & Dira, Photo: Asarela Dewi

We are thrilled to close our performance series "feeling backwards, across tongues" with a live work by Charmaine Poh. Her performance complements the exhibition’s central video piece, "The Moon is Wet," which threads marginalised stories found in Singapore across time. Centred on how the sea embodies desire, the work reminds us of the cracks in current systems and gestures toward other ways of being.

Free of charge. Limited capacity. Please register here.
Last appointment of the performance series "feeling backwards, across tongues."

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Videostill: Charmaine Poh, The Moon is Wet, 2025 © Charmaine Poh

One of our final conventional FreeTours of Charmaine Poh’s exhibition will be extraordinary. Led by drag queen Cali Harburg (sofa queen, intellectual, philosopher, and migrant), this tour offers insights into the background, concepts, and highlights of Make a travel deep of your inside, and don’t forget me to take from a queer perspective. A special focus will be placed on the video work "What’s softest in the world runs and rushes over what’s hardest in the world" (2024) as well as on the almost forgotten stories of the Majies — a group of migrant women from Southeast China.

In English
Price: 5€. Limited capacity. You can obtain a ticket here.

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Foto: Cali Harburg

One of our final conventional FreeTours of Charmaine Poh’s exhibition will be extraordinary. Led by drag queen Cali Harburg (sofa queen, intellectual, philosopher, and migrant), this tour offers insights into the background, concepts, and highlights of Make a travel deep of your inside, and don’t forget me to take from a queer perspective. A special focus will be placed on the video work What’s softest in the world runs and rushes over what’s hardest in the world as well as on the almost forgotten stories of the Majies — a group of migrant women from Southeast China.

In German
Price: 5€. Limited capacity. You can obtain a ticket here.

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Photo: Cali Harburg