MEHR SPRACH ICH
2023
Process
Voices in public space
MEHR SPRACH ICH was an initiative of the MESTIZX Collective, which took place from April 2023 to January 2024 in the northern margins of Berlin. Through workshops, events and installations, we used public space as a stage to create new meeting places. The impetus for this initiative came from our exploration of multilingualism, which is helping us shape a new, pluralistic history of our city.
Over the course of the year, we developed various formats: the Multiplikatorinnen Lab, the AUDIOTHEKA sound map and screen printing activities. Events in public space, interventions and festivals also took place. Additionally, the large number of workshops held included awareness workshops for cultural events. The various communities we worked with were made up of people with different mother tongues between the ages of 7 and 80 years old.
TEAM
Artistic direction
Lucila Guichón
Artistic production
Georg Zolchow
Communication, photography, video
Lisa Siomicheva, Lucila Guichón
Accessibility and awareness
Valeria Schwarz
Mediation
Alejandra Montoya, Lisa Siomicheva, Valeria Schwarz, Maximo Occhipinti, Valeria García, Francisco Vallejo
Web and graphic design
Wies Hermans
Head of Multiplikatorinnen Lab
Alexandra Torres
Multiplikatorinnen coach
Ricke Merighi
Workshops
Veronica Schiavo (Audiotheka) Lisa Siomicheva (Hufeland), Agustina Palermo (Clown) Karina Villavicencio (Performance) Lucila Guichon (Hufeland, Audiotheka, Multipliers) Chaska Stern (Awareness)
Audiotheka sound design
Belén Marinato, Rocío Martínez
Audiotheka Raum
Orekari estudio
Audiotheka Mobile
Felipe Araya
Multiplikatorinnen at events
Aziza Hosseini, Aynima Mohammadi, Farahnaz Shajari, Humaira Mehri, Lela Jorjiashrili, Mahnoush Anoush, Nasifa Rahimi, Shohreh Amiri
Multilingual artists
Adolphine Landgraf, Azimeh Haghgoshaei, Duos Duet, Duo Flamenco Fusion, Franco Toledo, Goitseone Montscho, Mahdi Esmaili, Raminta Kurlietyté, Txaparro, Yousef Nourlandin
Translation
Lisa Siomicheva (Russian) Zachary Lussier, Marie-Laure Gagné (English), Mozhgan Dinani (Persian) Ammar Awaniy (Arabic)
Volunteers
Astrid Sabrina Rodríguez Falcón, Maria Lourdes Barbosa García
Videos Audiotheka DGS
GebärdenVerstehen e.Kfr.
Production Decoration
Valeria Nesis
Technician
Declan Giles
The project is part of the initiative DRAUSSENSTADT, funded by the Berlin Project Fund Urbane Praxis and the Senate Department for Culture and Europe.
Accessibility
In 2023, we set out to develop an awareness concept based on mindfulness and mutual respect. Our goal is to minimize discriminatory and harmful structures while creating a safe space where personal boundaries are respected, and everyone can feel comfortable.
Our Practice: A Multi-Step ProcessConsultation
Collaboration
with external experts on awareness, de-escalation, and first aid.
Reflection
Regular team discussions about experiences with violence, discrimination, power dynamics, and personal privileges.
Information
Use of discrimination-sensitive language and multilingual communication about accessibility for all events.
Planning
Designing events with clear roles, including an on-site awareness representative to ensure a safe atmosphere for participants.
Programming
Prioritizing diversity in artist selection and hosting events in accessible venues.
Our Commitment
On-Site Awareness
A designated awareness contact person is available throughout the event.
Code of Conduct
This is visibly displayed at all our events. Anyone not adhering to it will be asked to leave.
Follow-Up
We reflect on incidents with those affected and take clear, constructive action when necessary.
For us, awareness is not a one-time effort but a continuous practice that we actively integrate into our work.
