If you've ever been to the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg parts of Berlin, you'll often see small white stickers announcing "Berlin doesn't love you." This is a response from people in these areas against two big problems facing parts of Berlin: party tourism and gentrification.
While many think of the Brandenburg Gate or the Reichstag as Berlin's biggest sightseeing items, increasingly people are coming for something else: to party. The number of bars clubs, and restaurants are increasing rapidly in parts of Berlin, bringing in a much different clientele than those who come for the Brandenburg Gate. Streets have become less walkable, covered in the remains of a night out - cigarette butts, empty bottles, scraps of food. The neighborhoods are tired of the trash and noise and want to make clear that these people aren't welcome. They still want tourists, just not the ones who are going to destroy the place.
The same can be said of the gentrification occurring in places like Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, and Neukölln. People are being priced out of their own homes and neighborhoods, replaced by residents with steady incomes and better connections. Berliners aren't taking to this process too well.
Want to learn more about gentrification and other topics related to Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg? Visit our website, or even better, come into the museum today!