432 pages of lovingly told anecdotes, beautiful photographs and interesting insights into the customs, fashions and political influences of the cultural heart of Berlin Mitte: Marion Kiesow's "Berlin tanzt in Clärchens Ballhaus: 111 Jahre Vergnügen – eine Kulturgeschichte" is available directly from Clärchens Ballhaus or your local retailer.
ABOUT
111 years - if the walls could speak, they would tell cheerful, sad, and unbelievable stories of the past.
Photos: Marion Kiesow
Since its opening in 1913, Clärchens Ballhaus has survived two world wars, five political systems and six currency reforms.
Clärchens Ballhaus is a living piece of Berlin history - a relic from the imperial era that preserves the splendor of a time when Berlin still had over 900 ballrooms. Within these venerable walls, the memory of a flourishing dance culture that has held its own for more than a century lives on. Here, where the dance floor has survived wars, economic crises and political pressures, people have always found a home in dance.
From the Widows' Balls after the First World War, to the unwavering dance evenings despite the bombed-out front building in the Second World War, to the encounters between East and West in the halls during the GDR - for 111 years, Clärchens has embodied Berlin's resilience and unbroken joy of life.
GUIDED TOURS
Sunday is the perfect time for a cultural walk filled with stories of history: Marion Kiesow regularly invites you to join her tour through Clärchens Ballhaus. As the author of "Berlin Dances in Clärchens Ballhaus: 111 Years of Joy – A Cultural History," she charmingly shares anecdotes while guiding you through the legendary dance halls and the rich history embedded within these iconic walls. This historical tour is a must for anyone eager to explore the eventful past of this unique venue.