Studio 9: The day with Heidi Reichinnek. Deutschlandfunk Kultur - live from the Humboldt Forum

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  Mechanische Arena – Mechanische Arena aus der Vogelperspektive

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  Heidi Reichinnek – Porträt von Heidi Reichinnek mit verschränkten Armen

A pretzel, a word. Deutschlandfunk Kultur invites you to a live radio show from the Humboldt Forum in Berlin. Join us as we welcome a prominent guest from the worlds of culture, science, media or politics to the Mechanical Arena.

Have an engaging conversation together about the issues of our time. Chat, argue or think out loud together. Here you can experience radio up close, watch and join in the discussion. An engaging conversation about the issues of the day, broadcast throughout Germany, held in the new old center of Berlin, in the Humboldt Forum.

When Heidi Reichinnek talks about her ‘political arm’, she means her left arm. It is adorned with a tattoo of Nefertiti wearing a gas mask, whilst Rosa Luxemburg is immortalised on her forearm – her great political role model. Heidi Reichinnek has been a member of the party Die Linke since 2015. The politician’s videos reach an audience of millions on TikTok and Instagram, primarily young people. For some, the parliamentary group leader is therefore “a Member of the Bundestag and a content creator rolled into one”. Yet her party’s success in the 2025 federal election is largely down to Heidi Reichinnek. Friedrich Merz probably owes her something too: his election as Chancellor. After he failed to secure the necessary votes in the first round of voting, she is said to have made a second round possible on the very same day.

- free of charge

- from 11.50 am to 1 pm (start of the live broadcast at 12.05 pm)

- Language: German

- Location: Mechanical arena in the foyer

The Humboldt Forum and its facilities are wheelchair-accessible. A tactile floor guidance system makes it easier for blind and visually impaired visitors to find their way around. Educational formats are tailored to the different needs of visitors with disabilities. These include tactile tours, guided tours & workshops interpreted into German Sign Language (DGS), as well as guided tours for and with people with learning difficulties.

Barrier-free parking spaces are available south of the Humboldt Forum on Schlossplatz. Further information can be found here.

By underground and suburban train U Museumsinsel (U5): 1 min on foot S/U Alexanderplatz: 15 min on foot S Hackescher Markt: 10 min on foot

By bus Lustgarten: 100, 300, N5; 1 min walk Berliner Schloss: 147; 1 min walk BVG travel information

Bus stops are available in Rathausstraße near the Nikolai quarter: Stopping time from 9:00 - 22.30

Next date:

• Date Thursday, 09/July/2026 11:50 bis 13:00
• Venue Humboldt Forum
• Address Schloßplatz, 10178 Berlin-Mitte