RS#02: Rigaer Straße & RAF: Is it still the 90s?

Tensions have flared between the police and punks in Friedrichshain, with massive raids on squats and retaliatory car burnings. Our guest John Riceberg explains what’s going on.

A huge music festival will take place at Treptower Park, having moved there after Tempelhof was turned into a refugee shelter. Now there’s a petition against the festival on account of the grass. Can’t the kids enjoy music anywhere?

Should Radio Spaetkauf talk about terror warnings in Berlin? The team has an editorial meeting about whether to discuss the recent alleged threats to Berlin landmarks. Do the warnings help anyone, or just make us all impotently fearful?

Radio Spaetkauf is presented by Joel Dullroy, Daniel Stern and Jöran Mandik, with support from Victoria Linchong and Jocelyn Barre.

RS#01: Bowie, rent increases & refugees

How fancy is your flat? There’s a checklist you can use to fight against rental increases. If your building has a communal party room and video intercom, your rent might go up. But if you don’t have a proper shower or bike racks, you can argue for a rent reduction.

We pay tribute to David Bowie, the ultimate Berlin international temporary resident, who wrote three albums while living here from 1976 to 1978. In “Heroes” he sung the prophetic lyric “I remember standing by the wall… and we kissed as though nothing would fall.” He also wrote a few klangers, like the incorrectly spelt “Neukoln”. Bowie did Berlin before all of us, and better than any of us.us, and better than all of us. We dance in his shadow.

Tempelhof referendum revisited: The city government is trying to re-write the citizen-initiated law preventing development on Tempelhofer Feld, in order to build refugee accommodation. Critics say the law is losely worded and would allow luxury flat development – the very thing the referendum was against.

Council buys back houses: A Berlin city council has found a new tactic to stop house price increases. The Green controlled Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg council used its first-refusal right to prevent a speculative investor from buying an entire building in Wrangelstraße. Instead, the house will be bought by the city-owned housing company Gewobag, together with a non-profit foundation. This will allow the tenants to keep paying cheap rents.

Thanks to our supporters Mobile Kino, Berlin’s traveling cinema. They’re presenting a Quentin Tarantino retrospective from January 15 to 30. Check out their website for more details: www.mobilekino.de

Recorded live at Donau115 on Monday January 11. Presenters: Joel Dullroy, Jöran Mandik and Daniel Stern. Filmed by Victoria Linchong.

RS#09: The Kino Babylon strike – who’s right?

Workers at the iconic Kino Babylon have been picketing in front of the cinema for months now, demanding more than the minimum wage. The cinema says it can’t pay more, and has filed for bankruptcy. Film goers are being asked to take sides, but who’s right in such a messy situation? The Radio Spaetkauf team have a vigorous debate about workers’ rights and business realities.

The city is filling up with asylum seekers. Many public buildings are being retrofitted to house refugees, including Tempelhof Airport, where up to 5000 people will eventually stay. Anyone can help by volunteering for a few hours. Sign up at www.volunteer-planner.org.

Thanks to Donau115 for hosting our live recording. Radio Spaetkauf is Joel, Maisie, Jöran and Daniel Stern.