lived space lichtenberg translation
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in the area meet here for coffee. In the past, Mrs Winter used to go shopping over on the old Frankfurter Allee. There used to be a store that sold housewares, she explains, and high-quality shoe and clothing stores, but they have since disappeared partly because so many shopping centres with a much broader assortment of goods have sprung up in recent years. The shops on Frankfurter Allee don’t interest her anymore. It’s not a lively street these days, she says. Urban Narrative: Scenes from a Street Some say Frankfurter Allee isn’t interesting anymore – others find its international flair inspiring. A few hope for more shopping variety, while others for a nice café. Many are social, while others keep to themselves. The diverse opinions on this place leave room for interpretation – and for ideas. What would happen if one day something occurred that brought all the interviewees together? What possibilities might open up? In this story, we reassemble the views of the local experts to create new narratives: some that could happen anytime and others that sound more improbable. Or maybe not? The «Scenes from a Street» story describes an event in the year 2015 – and how it came to be. Perhaps.
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Prologue: Traffic Jam Characters: streetcar, cars, bicyclists and pedestrians There’s heavy traffic on the old Frankfurter Allee: all the parking spaces are occupied, and a number of cars are double-parked. A car turns at the intersection and stops briefly. The bus behind him can’t get around because at that moment the streetcar glides around the corner. The bus collides with the car, which jack knifes into another automobile. The situation is total chaos… 1st Scene: An Accident Characters: streetcar, cars, bicyclists and pedestrians. A delivery truck is driving along Frankfurter Allee. Suddenly, the car in front of him slams on the brakes and the driver veers right running into a group of Italian tourists on bikes. One of the bicyclists is thrown from his bike and lands in the bushes next to the subway entrance. The owner of the Imbiss next door sees what happened and rushes over to help. No one is hurt, but a heated discussion ensues: The Italian bicyclists and the Turkish driver can’t understand each other. The Imbiss owner helps translate and invites them over to peacefully discuss the situation in his restaurant. Everyone agrees. 2nd Scene: The Birth of an Idea Characters: everyone from scene one plus (by coincidence) some other store owners who heard the noise. During lunch, the commotion dissipates and the eclectic group is getting along well. The cyclists were on their way to Boxhagener Platz, but now ask if there is a market like that around here. The owner of the bike shop shakes his head and says: «We don’t even have a Christmas market here. Unfortunately.» The owner of the organic store agrees and adds that she has often dreamed of using the street for more than just parking, for example by organizing a block party. In the meantime, the carpenter has joined the group and offers his support: «We could try something like that», he says. A conspiratorial core group is formed, and they begin to meet regularly – over lunch, each taking turns cooking. The neighbours are informed little by little, funding is organized and more supporters join the group.