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Artur Gorlatschov (33), Musician & Singer, Prenzlauer Berg/Karow

In order to meet the musician and lead singer of Skazka Orchestra I traveled all the way to the outskirts of Berlin by public transportation. „Why don’t you come over to our datcha?" Artur asked me, "we will be staying there over the weekend and I don’t want to go back to the city.“ An offer sounding very Russian to my ears and I just couldn’t deny. After a twenty minutes ride from Gesundbrunnen in Wedding, Artur picks me up from Karow train station and I follow him all the way to his beautiful and quiet datcha. He opens a bottle of cider for us, pours in our glasses and starts telling me about his life. „I was born in Kazakhstan and I came to Berlin in 1995,“ Artur says and tells me that he has never left Berlin ever since. After he finished high school, he started studying accordion at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin – one of the leading music conservatories in Europe. There, he met his friends and fellow band mates from his band Skazka Orchestra. „We met each other while playing for a Mongolian Valentine's Day Festival in Wedding. It was our first gig together as Skazka Orchestra.“ That was about 10 years ago. At first, the band started playing in Köpenik, became then well-known in the German capital until they started touring Germany. Today they have produced two albums, one remix and they were part of the documentary „From Wustrow to Paris“ which could be seen in repertory cinemas. „So what do you love most about Berlin?“ I ask Artur while he pours the rest of the cider in our glasses. „We have songs written in five languages. I love that there are so many people in Berlin speaking different languages,“ he answers and takes the last sip of his drink. „Oh yes,“ he continues while putting down his glass: „My garden which is only 20 minutes away from the city center.“

To find out more about the fabulous music of Skazka Orchestra visit their website and follow them on facebook.

Daniel Wagner (35), Actor, Kreuzberg

This is Daniel. Daniel was born in Karaganda, Kazakhstan and his parents brought him to Germany when he was a young boy. At the age of 11, his family settled down in a village in Rhineland-Palate, a place Daniel never really felt like he belonged to. As soon as he graduated from school, he moved to Vienna in order to study theater. "After my studies I started working for the theater of Erlangen as well as the theater of Koblenz for a couple of years," Daniel says and tells me that he knew he had to move to a bigger city in order to progress in acting. He applied for the master class of Peter Zadeck in Berlin and got in. „Being in a Berlin felt great,“ Daniel remembers. „Berlin is a great city and the only city where actually everybody has already lived: the Democrats, the Prussians, the Communists and the Nazis – a phenomenon which reflects in the city's architecture as well as in the cityscape.“ Daniel has been living in Berlin ever since but left the city for a couple of productions like The Wiener Festwochen in Vienna for example, a city he never lost his ties to. Recently he has been acting for a couple of movie production but still remains acting in theaters. „While television is my mistress,“ Daniel says, „theater is my wife.“

Tadeus Dovgialo, Chef, Lichtenberg

This is Tadeus. Tadeus is from Vilnius, Latvia and he came to Berlin about four months ago. "I have many professions," he says and right now his job is serving the probably best Shashlik in town. "What do you love most about Berlin?" I ask him in Russian. "Berlin – super!" he answers and tells me that he really enjoys all the different nationalities living in the city. And oh well, and I really enjoy his yummy Shashlik.

Shashlik in front of Intermarkt Stolitschniy, Landsberger Allee 116, 10369 Berlin, Opening Hours: Wed-Sat 11am to 5pm

Lina Khesina (32), Illustrator & Designer, Kreuzberg

This is the fabulous Lina Khesina. The illustrator and designer grew up in Pensa, Russia and came to Germany when she was 16 years old. At first, she and her family lived in a small castle in Saxony for a while. “I hated living in Germany and living in a castle was the only consolation,” Lina remembers and tells me, that all the other immigrants stayed in a Plattenbau, a prefabricated cement-slab building. It was forbidden to bring pets, and since her family brought their family dog, they could stay in the castle. Eventually she moved to Leipzig, and then to Potsdam. She studied graphic design and illustration but spent most of her time in Berlin already. In 2009, she finally came to Berlin for good where she now lives and works as an illustrator and graphic designer for several cultural projects. “Berlin is like a village,” she says, “I love everything about it! Its size, its dirt, its impudence and indifference. When I feel sad, I just go outside and everything feels fine again. It doesn’t matter what you experience in life, in Berlin you’ll survive absolutely everything.” Lina is one of those creative people who never cease to amaze me. Right now, for example, she is illustrating a book for the famous Belorussian band Serebryanaya Svadba who are producing an album for children and grown-ups, recorded with self-made instruments. In another project called Zuckerwattenkrawatten Lina offers art workshops for children. My favorite work of Lina is Theatrium Automata, a movable theater booth. Just like a photo booth you put some money into the coin slot and the magic happens: For three minutes the little theater-to-go will be playing just for you, and if you are lucky, you might undergo the happiest three minutes in a long time.

Follow Lina on instagram and read more about her amazing artwork and projects here:

www.flyingfly.de www.zuckerwattenkrawatten.de Theatrium Automata www.noski-tabani.ru

Nadja Koroleva (27), Kindergarten teacher, Wedding

This is Nadja. Nadja is originally from Moscow and moved to Berlin 2,5 years ago. In Moscow she worked for the British Higher School of Art & Design as well as a PR agent for the popular digital magazine Look at me. "Living in Moscow and working in marketing bored me," Nadja says, "and I needed to move abroad." At first, she was thinking about either moving to the US or to Berlin. She had never been away from home and since Berlin was only one cheap flight ticket away, it felt like the right city for her. A decision she didn't regret. "I love Berlin," she says. "Although it is such a cliché, I really enjoy the feeling of freedom in the city and that nobody cares about the way you look." Nadja gave up working in public relations and she does something new now and something she really enjoys: She is a kindergarten teacher at a day-care center in Charlottenburg. "And one day," Nadja tells me, "I hope to open up my very own kindergarten."

Juri Klebanov, Author & Producer, Prenzlauer Berg

This is Juri. The Russian producer was born and raised in Moscow and lived in the Russian capital until he was 26 years old. “It was time for something new,” he says, and tells me that he moved to Göttingen for a year but then quickly decided to live in Berlin. Actually a studied physicist, he had already been working for a popular Russian television show in Moscow, and therefore quickly found a job at a private German broadcasting station right away. Ever since he has been working for different television stations such as Pro7, 3Sat, Arte and WDR. Today, he is known for his own take called Juris Welt, airing on Nano, a scientific television show with news and reports on science and technology. In his 3 to 5 minutes long videos, he explains intricate scientific subjects, and combines it with spoken word poetry. In my opinion, it is his Russian accent in particular which make his videos so very charming. “So Juri, what do you love most about Berlin?” I ask him. “The relaxed atmosphere in the city,” he answers. “There aren’t any rules and everybody can be who he wants to be,” he says.

Have a look at Juri’s world here.

Konstantin Dellos (32), Musician & Producer, Pankow

This is Konstantin. Kostja is Russian-German and grew up in Severouralsk, a small town in the Northern Urals, Russia. In 2000, he moved to Germany with his family. He grew up in Hannover and lived in Toronto for a year. Growing up in Germany, and living abroad, he was always making music. „Me and my girlfriend were thinking about moving to Hamburg or Berlin,“ Konstantin remembers. About two years ago they moved to the German capital together. „I love Berlin,“ he says, and then continues „it is a mecca for creative people from all over the world." Konstantin works as a musician and producer. Since 2013 he has been working for Berlin Music Video Awards and just recently he created the soundtrack for the trailer of the German movie TheFoxDevilsWild. „My music is really hard to describe,“ Konstantin admits, and says that words like 'experimental', 'triphop electronica' and 'techno' would describe it best. “Is there anything else you would like to add?” I ask him at the end of the interview. „I would like to say ‚hi’ to my grandma," he replies.

To find out more about Konstantin, his music and upcoming projects go to his website www.lunakid.net and follow him on Facebook.

#Berlin Music Video Awards #Music #film #Russian creatives in Berlin #berlinograd

Beatrice Grundheber (33), Russian philologist, Blogger and passionate Berlinograder, Neukölln

Hi, my name is Bea. I am German and I was born and raised in Trier, a small town close to Luxemburg. When I was a teenager I always wanted to get out and see the world so as soon as I turned 18, I moved to New York City for a year. When I came back to Germany, my Russian friends were the dearest to me which triggered my decision to start a university degree in Russian Studies and Eastern European History. A couple of years in Mainz, Frankfurt and St. Petersburg followed, until I finally decided to move to Berlin for good. “Russian culture and especially its people have always fascinated me - their sincerity, unconditional passion and their creativity in all areas of life, music and the arts,” it says on Berlinograd.com, the blog I started a year ago, as a project that was near and dear to me. It is my attempt to introduce you to all those sincere and passionate Russian-Berliners, who remind me of my friends in Petersburg and Moscow and who participate in making Berlin a little more beautiful. “What do I love most about our wonderful city?”, I ask myself, “Well, it may sound crazy but I love that doors in public transportation always open a tiny bit before the vehicle stands still.”

Bea is the founder of berlinograd.com. She has written a short story about Saint Petersburg for the Travelettes-Book by Katja Hentschel and she works for a PR agency in Berlin.

Photographed in Mitte by Sergej Bitsch

#Berlinograd #Russian-speaking creatives in Berlin #Russian creatives #Russians in Berlin

Vadim Tabert (28), Sound engineer, Producer and MC/Rapper, Pankow

This is Vadim. Vadim came all the way from Kyrgyzstan to Germany when he was only twelve years old. Back than, his Russian-German family followed the path of his grandparents who had already moved to Berlin-Weißensee a couple of years before. Vadim grew up in the German capital and he has only been away once, while living in Leverkusen for one year. "After leaving Kyrgyzstan, Berlin became my new home," Vadim says, "and I remember dreaming of trains and planes taking me back home to Berlin." Nowadays, Vadim works as a sound engineer for a Russian radio station as well as for the Russian-owned club Hangar49. In addition to that, Vadim writes rap in Russian and produces his own music in his studio in Pankow. In 2009, he founded Flast Records – a studio as well as an event and PR agency for Russian rap. "So, what do you like best about Berlin?" I ask him. "Berlin is a city for everybody," he answers. "Here you'll find any subculture. And therefore there is someone for everyone in the city."

For more information about Flast Records go to www.flast.info. Listen to Vadim's Russian rap here.

#Russian creatives in Berlin #Flast Records #Russian Rap #Russians in Berlin

Olga Khristolyubova (24), Photographer & Fashion Designer, Kreuzberg (Kreuzkölln)

This is Olga. The photographer and fashion design student was born and raised in Tomsk, Russia and moved to Berlin about two years ago. “The first time I was in Germany was in 2008,” Olga remembers. “As a high school student I participated in a language course in Göttingen, Lower Saxony.“ Back then, the young Russian also visited the German capital for a weekend and she recalls thinking that Berlin was similar to Novosibirsk – one of the largest industrial centers of Siberia. Seven years later, Olga enjoys living in Berlin. She studies fashion design at HTW Berlin – Berlin’s largest University of Applied Sciences. In addition to that, she takes pictures for the famous Berlin blog I heart Berlin and occasionally works as a stylist. “The city is very relaxed and free-minded,” she says. “Everyone can be who he or she wants to be,” Olga adds. "Many people come here to stay forever young and to avoid their problems – a phenomenon that can be really great but dangerous too."

For more information about Olga Khristolyubova and her stunning work go to her website www.cargocollective.com/olgaxrust

#Russian creatives in Berlin #berlinograd #olgaxrust #I heart Berlin

Jimmy Magsevi, Singer, Mitte

This is Jimmy. Jimmy was born and raised in Siberia and moved to San Francisco in his 20s. For the past 17 years he has been living between Switzerland, Austria and San Francisco until he finally decided to come to Berlin in order to join the Berlin State Opera as a tenor in 2001. “I love Berlin,” he says. “I love the multicultural experiences in the city and that Berlin is very safe.” Besides his work at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin as a tenor, he is currently working on a couple of projects: He composes and sings Artpop songs, love songs as well as "funny and friendly Russian punk rock," how Jimmy puts it himself. In addition to that, he performs with different singers, groups and/or orchestras at gala events. His websites states that the singer is a master in transforming musical styles and genres, new countries and cities, into his own musical interpretation. But I am much more intrigued by the fact that in Berlin he enjoys traveling by public transportation. According to Jimmy, it is the best way to get anywhere in our wonderful city.

For more information about Jimmy and his music go to his website www.magsevi.com and follow him on Facebook.

#Russian creatives #berlinograd #Berlin State Opera #Jimmy Magsevi

Farida Gaynullina (30), Blogger & Writer, Mitte

This is Farida. Farida was born and raised in Kazan, Russia. When she was 18 years old she moved to Germany as an au pair. After her exchange program was finished, she decided to stay a bit longer for her studies of Russian and German as a foreign language at the University of Heidelberg. In 2011 she finally moved to Berlin for her first job as an editor. "Berlin is a very big and lively city," Farida says about her new home town. "I love its diversity and its anonymity." Farida now works as a freelanced editor for the Russian migreat platform for Berlin. In addition to that she is a freelanced PR music consultant for a Berlin music agency as well as for the singer Jimmy Magsevi. In her free time she writes for her blog kiezinberlin.com – a Russian blog about contemporary life in Berlin. To read some of Farida's work go to www.kiezinberlin.com.

#Russian creatives #berlinograd #editor in chief #kiezinberlin #migreat

Mark Gritsenko (26), Musician, Lichtenberg

Meet Mark. Mark was born in Odessa, Ukraine and moved to Kiev when he was eight years old. This is where he grew up and started his career as a musician. "I've been making music since I was ten years old. When I graduated from high school I realized that I want to do music professionally." As a result Mark founded his band Marakesh and released his first record. They became very successful especially in Russia. "It was an amazing time," he remembers. "We were touring Eastern and Western Europe playing together with Placebo as an opening act. Lots of my dreams came true!" Two years ago Mark moved to Germany with his girlfriend Daria. "I grew up and I wanted to invent myself new." As a result, he and his girlfirend started their band Four Phonica. They play Alternative Rock & Electronic Music and they are well-known for #songblitz – a project where 350 fans contributed samples, melodies, videos and vocals in order to perform a song with them together. "What really fascinates me about Berlin is how people behave in the city," Mark answers my question about what he likes best about his new home. "I love how Berliners interact with each other," he continues. "Without the need of a bigger force who dictates this behavior the city is charged with peacefulness, friendliness and optimism. Berlin is a very self-conscious city."

For more information about Mark and his band Four Phonica visit www.fourphonica.com and like him on Facebook. Also have a look at his project #songblitz.

#Russian creatives #Berlinograd #Four Phonica

Natalia I. Konyashina (30), Journalist and Filmmaker, Schöneberg

This is Natalia. Natalia is a real Muscovite who moved to Southern-Germany when she was eleven years old. Her dad was a scientist who came to Germany on a grant for a year. One year turned into two and two into more until they finally decided to stay in Germany for good. Natalia spent her teenage years in Stuttgart but then moved to Mainz in order to study Media and Economic Science. As a young student she already started working at the German public-service television broadcaster ZDF and as soon as she graduated from University, she came to Berlin to continue her work as an editorial assistant at the same TV station. "I always wanted to live in Berlin," Natalia says and tells me that she knew that she had to leave the city one more time in order to become a freelanced journalist. A trainee ship at NDR, the public television broadcaster in northern Germany, followed as well as some freelanced work for Deutsche Welle in Moscow until she finally came back to the German capital. "Everything is big in Berlin," Natalia says, "and the streets remind me of Moscow. I love the energy in the streets at night, as well as all the Spätis," she raves about the city and refers to Berlin's convenience stores which are open 24/7. "And that you can buy gummy bears even late at night," she adds, smiling.

Natalia works as a freelanced journalist and lives in Berlin-Schöneberg. To find out more about her work go to konyashina.tumblr.com.

#Russian creatives #berlinograd #journalist #NDR #Deutsche Welle

Anna Grau (34), Painter, Prenzlauer Berg

This is Anna. Anna is a Berlin-based painter who studied art at the Art Academy Berlin-Weissensee. All her works are oil on canvas in which she concentrates on female archetypes. "Women are more interesting to me," she says. "They are more complex and more diverse." Diversity is what she also loves about Berlin. Anna left her small home town in the outskirts of Saint Petersburg with her family when she was 15 years old. The German capital became her new home. "Berlin can be calm and it can be loud," the artist reveals. "You will find whatever you want in whatever stage of life you are. Berlin can be both – relaxing and thrilling at the same time." For more information about Anna and her stunning paintings go to her facebook and/or visit her website www.annagrau.de.

#Russian creatives #berlinograd #Painter

Alex Upatov (27), Comedian, Wedding

This is Alex. Alex is a comedian who was born in Omsk, Russia and came to Germany in 1995. He lived in Lower Saxony most of his life until he finally moved to Berlin last year for his one and only passion: stand-up comedy in English. "I was the only comedian in my area," Alex says. "Berlin has the biggest English speaking comedy scene in Germany and here I can perform almost every day." There are about six to seven shows a month which Alex organizes, presents and/or performs himself. "Berlin is great," he tells me. "You meet people from all over the world and there is always something funny to talk about." Alex just recently started Berlin Comedy Underground on YouTube. The channel has a collection of the city's leading stand-up comedians and according to Alex it provides a good overview of Berlin's English speaking comedy scene.

#Russian creatives #berlinograd #Comedy

Luba Lubinskaia (23), Model, Actress & Singer, Wedding

This is Luba. Luba is from Moldova and came to Germany with her mom when she was six years old. She grew up in Munich and lived there until she moved to Berlin about two years ago. "Berlin gives me the chance to be myself," Luba says. "The city doesn't force me into anything." Luba is a trained actress, model and singer who came to Berlin for work. She has performed in several commercials and short films. Her latest work is a small part in the new movie "To Life!" by Uwe Jansen with Hannelore Elsner and Max Riemelt. She was offered a leading role for a feature film next year and there is yet more to come.

To find out more about Luba and her work go to www.lubalubinskaia.com and/or like her work on facebook.

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