© dpa
Weekend Tips: What to Do This Weekend in Berlin
September 18 to 20, 2026: Events, festivals, exhibitions and more things to do for your perfect weekend in Berlin. more
Elsas Welt. Auf den Spuren meiner Großmutter – Eine Familiengeschichte aus Lodz
Date details
- Date Wednesday, 14/October/2026 19:30 bis 21:00
- Venue Dokumentationszentrum Flucht, Vertreibung, Versöhnung
- Address Stresemannstraße 90, 10963 Berlin-Kreuzberg
Public transportation
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Train (S-Bahn)
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S Anhalter Bahnhof
- S1
- S2
- S25
- S26
-
S+U Potsdamer Platz Bhf
- S1
- S2
- S25
- S26
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S Anhalter Bahnhof
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Underground
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Bus
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S Anhalter Bahnhof
- M41
- M29
-
Abgeordnetenhaus
- M41
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Wilhelmstr./Kochstr.
- M29
- N6
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Schöneberger Brücke
- M29
-
S+U Potsdamer Platz Bhf
- M41
- 200
- M48
- M85
- N2
- 300
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Leipziger Str./Wilhelmstr.
- 200
- M48
- N2
- 300
-
U Kochstr. (Checkpoint Charlie)
- M29
- N6
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U Mendelssohn-Bartholdy-Park
- M29
- M41
- N1
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Wilhelmstr./Franz-Klühs-Str.
- N6
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Willy-Brandt-Haus
- M41
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U Möckernbrücke
- N1
-
S Potsdamer Platz Bhf/Voßstr.
- M41
- M48
- M85
-
Varian-Fry-Str./Potsdamer Platz
- 200
- M48
- M85
- N2
- 300
- M41
-
U Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Str.
- M48
- 300
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Charlottenstr.
- M29
-
U Stadtmitte
- N6
- 200
- N2
-
S Anhalter Bahnhof
-
Train
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S+U Potsdamer Platz Bhf
- RE3
- FEX
- RB10
- RE8
- RE20
- RE5
- RE4
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S+U Potsdamer Platz Bhf
Elsa’s World. In My Grandmother’s Footsteps – A Family History from Lodz
© Heike Steinweg
In his most personal book to date, bestselling author Andreas Kossert follows in the footsteps of his grandmother Elsa to Lodz, Poland – a city that was once the ‘Promised Land’ for his German ancestors. Kossert recounts his family’s history, from the settlers’ departure in the 18th century, through the city’s rapid rise to become a textile hub, to Elsa’s daily life under German occupation during the Second World War, in the stifling proximity of terror and annihilation. After the war ended, she experienced expulsion, imprisonment in a camp and, ultimately, the loss of her homeland.
Using his grandmother as his subject, he paints an intimate family portrait, and almost in passing, a vast panorama of Central European history unfolds before our eyes, told with great power and sensitivity. Elsa’s life, caught between hope and loss beyond the confines of national identities, exemplifies the great European drama of nationalism and war – and could therefore scarcely be more relevant today.
“A unique insight into the 20th century – and into a strong woman. ‘Elsa’s World’ is written in a wonderfully vivid style, full of empathy and subtlety. A book grounded in profound knowledge, yet one that moves us deeply.” Christopher Clark
“Andreas Kossert follows in his grandmother’s footsteps with the meticulousness of a historian and the empathy of a grandson. ‘Elsa’s World’ is a plea for a life in between: between countries, languages and cultures. It is stories like these that should form the history we teach our children.” Karolina Kuszyk
PROGRAMME
Welcome
Dr Roland Borchers, Director, Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation, Berlin
Jens Dehning, Editor at Large, Siedler Verlag
Reading and conversation
Dr Andreas Kossert, historian and author
Moderated by: Shelly Kupferberg, journalist and author
The auhor will be available for a book-signing session after the reading.
A small reception will follow the event.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Book table: Bookshop Der Zauberberg
Doors open: 7 p.m.
Language: German
FREE ADMISSION
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
The event will be recorded and published on our YouTube channel Flucht, Vertreibung, Versöhnung.
A cooperation from: Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation · Siedler Verlag
Using his grandmother as his subject, he paints an intimate family portrait, and almost in passing, a vast panorama of Central European history unfolds before our eyes, told with great power and sensitivity. Elsa’s life, caught between hope and loss beyond the confines of national identities, exemplifies the great European drama of nationalism and war – and could therefore scarcely be more relevant today.
“A unique insight into the 20th century – and into a strong woman. ‘Elsa’s World’ is written in a wonderfully vivid style, full of empathy and subtlety. A book grounded in profound knowledge, yet one that moves us deeply.” Christopher Clark
“Andreas Kossert follows in his grandmother’s footsteps with the meticulousness of a historian and the empathy of a grandson. ‘Elsa’s World’ is a plea for a life in between: between countries, languages and cultures. It is stories like these that should form the history we teach our children.” Karolina Kuszyk
PROGRAMME
Welcome
Dr Roland Borchers, Director, Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation, Berlin
Jens Dehning, Editor at Large, Siedler Verlag
Reading and conversation
Dr Andreas Kossert, historian and author
Moderated by: Shelly Kupferberg, journalist and author
The auhor will be available for a book-signing session after the reading.
A small reception will follow the event.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Book table: Bookshop Der Zauberberg
Doors open: 7 p.m.
Language: German
FREE ADMISSION
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
The event will be recorded and published on our YouTube channel Flucht, Vertreibung, Versöhnung.
A cooperation from: Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation · Siedler Verlag
Alternative events
© dpa
Kreuzberg Tour: Kriminell und kuschelig
Auf dieser Stadtführung der besonderen Art werfen Interessierte einen Blick hinter die Fassaden von Kreuzberg, dem internationalen Hotspot für den Berliner Lifestyle. moreabout: Kreuzberg Tour: Kriminell und kuschelig
- Next date:
- Kreuzberg Tour - kriminell & kuschelig
- Date:
- Wednesday, 14/October/2026 19:00 (182 more dates)
- Venue:
- U-Bahn-Station Kottbusser Tor. Casino 36
- Address:
- Reichenberger Straße 174, 10999 Berlin-Kreuzberg
- Price:
- from €27.10
© Freepik
Urania und Berlin Brains on Tour: Der Neuro-Abakus - Wie Mathematik hilft, das Gehirn zu verstehen
Das Gehirn ist ein komplexes und dynamisches System. Einzelne Nervenzellen lassen sich mathematisch gut modellieren. Doch was entsteht aus dem Zusammenspiel von Millionen von Zellen? moreabout: Urania und Berlin Brains on Tour: Der Neuro-Abakus - Wie Mathematik hilft, das Gehirn zu verstehen
- Date:
- Wednesday, 14/October/2026 19:30
- Venue:
- Zeiss-Großplanetarium
- Address:
- Prenzlauer Allee 80, 10405 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg
- Price:
- from €0.00
© Jan-Werner Müller © Sameer A. Khan, Princeton University / Charlotte Klonk © Iveta Rysava / Olaf Scholz © Thomas Köhler, Thomas Imo
Straße, Platz, Palast
Menschen gehen auf die Straße. Die Öffentlichkeit wird als Marktplatz der Ideen beschrieben. Parlamente aus Glas verheißen politische Transparenz: Im Sprechen über Politik greifen wir häufig auf Metaphern aus und Bezüge zu Architektur und Städtebau zurück.... moreabout: Straße, Platz, Palast
- Date:
- Wednesday, 14/October/2026 19:30
- Venue:
- Urania Berlin - Humboldtsaal
- Address:
- An der Urania 17, 10787 Berlin-Schöneberg
- Price:
- from €8.00
© Freepik
Urania und Berlin Brains on Tour: Der Neuro-Abakus - Wie Mathematik hilft, das Gehirn zu verstehen
Das Gehirn ist ein komplexes und dynamisches System. Einzelne Nervenzellen lassen sich mathematisch gut modellieren. Doch was entsteht aus dem Zusammenspiel von Millionen von Zellen? Und wo im Gehirn wird Information codiert? Verarbeitet jede Zelle ihre... moreabout: Urania und Berlin Brains on Tour: Der Neuro-Abakus - Wie Mathematik hilft, das Gehirn zu verstehen
- Date:
- Wednesday, 14/October/2026 19:30
- Venue:
- Zeiss-Großplanetarium
- Address:
- Prenzlauer Allee 80, 10405 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg
- Price:
- from €0.00
© Jan-Werner Müller © Sameer A. Khan, Princeton University / Charlotte Klonk © Iveta Rysava / Olaf Scholz © Thomas Köhler, Thomas Imo
Straße, Platz, Palast
Menschen gehen auf die Straße. Die Öffentlichkeit wird als Marktplatz der Ideen beschrieben. Parlamente aus Glas verheißen politische Transparenz: Im Sprechen über Politik greifen wir häufig auf Metaphern aus und Bezüge zu Architektur und Städtebau zurück.... moreabout: Straße, Platz, Palast
- Date:
- Wednesday, 14/October/2026 19:30
- Venue:
- Urania Berlin - Humboldtsaal
- Address:
- An der Urania 17, 10787 Berlin-Schöneberg
- Price:
- from €8.00
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