Street Art is Talking: A Waking Tour in Berlin

My name is Anastasia and I'm a tour guide in Berlin. Berlin is like a coconut. It looks cold and impregnable, but as soon as you penetrate its essence, its richness and diversity are revealed. The observation towers of the GDR coexist with hi-tech architecture, and on one patch you can see a reflection of almost the entire history of the 20th century from the Nazis and the Gestapo through the Democratic Republic to the united country. I studied history, architecture and contemporary art, but street art became my passion. Watching culture and art spill onto the streets, how the city speaks to every passerby, is incredibly exciting. I will gladly talk with you about how to read those strange squiggles on the walls, what these posters and graffiti mean, and you will find that the streets are full of hidden messages, and all around us it is a real open-air gallery! Or maybe painting on other people's walls is vandalism? So think the city authorities and impose fines of up to four thousand euros for graffiti. But here we have the East Side Gallery, a true historical museum, who would doubt it now. But it also began as protest and political graffiti on the wall, the Berlin Wall. Berlin is interesting because it raises many different questions, and there is no simple answer to any of them. Everything is closely intertwined on these streets - graffiti, synagogues, bunkers, mosques, squares and memorials. The tour is usually on foot and lasts for about three hours. I do not give lectures, but we choose the topics to talk about depending on your interests. I have been living in Berlin for eight years already; I've walked its streets, felt its stones, finding my own understanding and my favorite routes. I feel that I have something to share beyond historical facts and architectural analysis though this is also an important and necessary part of course. I like to take not so hackneyed routes, pay attention to the details and local features. In my life I moved a lot: I was born and went to school in Ukraine, finished high school in Siberia, studied at university in Moscow, worked in St. Petersburg. Then I moved to Germany and got my Master of Arts degree at the ex-Bauhaus school in a very international community, and now I live in Berlin where in the district of Neukoelln only, you can find people of 180 nationalities. What it gives me is the ability to see the other side. I know how different the understanding of life may be and the way people perceive information. I can adapt my explanations and give a different perspective on the subject. Also I have a lot of work experience. I started my tour guide's career in a perfect place for it - in St. Petersburg, city of palaces, museums and history. Later on I worked on the icebreaker, on Trans-Siberian and Golden circle tours, trips to the Russian north and on Baltic cruises. So I can definitely say that I can handle any situation that may come up during the tour, I'm ready for last minute changes and time pressure. Moreover I had trainings on safety recommendations for tour guides and renew my First Aid certificate every two years. So you'll be safe for sure for at least these three hours of the tour. Looking forward to your visit and will be very happy to be your guide in Berlin. Best regards, Anastasia. Qualification: 2014 - 2016 Anhalt University of Applied Sciences; Department of Architecture, Facility management and Geoinformation. Degree: Master of art (Monumental Heritage). 2000 - 2005 Lomonosov Moscow State University; Department of Russian History. Degree: Specialist (History). Professional trainings: 2017 - 2019 Trainings on group dynamics and tour guiding for guides and tour leaders. 2010 St.Petersburg boat trips guide; St.Peter and Paul fortress guide 2009Guide preparation program "Cruises 4 capitals of Baltic sea" I am not a driver. I can accompany you in your vehicle or I can arrange for a separate car and driver. I don't give tours inside the museums.