Special Menu for Black History Month

Berlin is a growing metropolis known best for its originality. From world events like the annual film festival “Berlinale“ to the world’s best kept secret laundromat down the street, Berlin is home to everything your heart desires and everything your heart didn’t even know it desires.

In the past days, a couple of events and locations showed the internationality Berlin has in store, of which I find two worth mentioning. First, the Black History Month 2010 in Berlin, which exceeded all expectations, followed by my discovery of the laundromat slash event location named “Freddy Leck“.

Every year in February, Black History Month is celebrated on international grounds and since a couple of years, Berlin can call itself one of the proud hosts of this cultural recognition. During the four weeks in February, Berlin offers a span of special events that bring the Black culture and history closer to the people in the city.

Lamp made of Plastic Cups at Rosa Caleta

Collaborations range from art galleries that show exhibitions by black artists, book shops that host evenings of deep poetry readings, and restaurants with a “Black History Month“ special. Last sunday evening, this years Black History Month was rejoiced one last time at the Jamaican-European fusion cuisine Rosa Caleta in Kreuzberg. Sharmaine (last name unknown – Update 03/12/2010: Reid), the owner of “Dialogue Berlin“, a unique book shop slash café, did an outstanding job at presenting an evening with performances from artist and musician Satch Hoyt, singer Nuwella and expressive dancer and artist Todd Ford. During the impressive performances, Sharmaine took the time to read to the international audience about Black literature from America, Africa and the Carribean Islands. It was one of those surprisingly great evenings with good food and a delightful “side dish“ with impressive artists and acts.

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend any further Black History Events, but I heard of a reading I had missed that struck my interest because it was held in a laundromat – of all places. I decided to visit the owner of the laundromat, Freddy Leck, because it seemed like he had many more events planned.

Freddy Leck's Laundromat

I suppose that everyone has been to a laundromat before. But have you ever been to one with the best coffee in town, that has chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, that hosts readings and concerts?

“Welcome to the World of Freddy Leck“ was the first thing I heard when I entered the store. Of course the smell of cleaners was noticable, but so was the antique wall-paper, the funny framed pictures on the wall and the long carpet. Like in a “real café“, one can sit here and meet with friends. This is more than just a place with fresh clean clothes, this place is a hot-spot!

The customers range from the elite professor to people on well-fare. When asked to describe his motivations for opening a laundromat after being an actor, Freddy Leck says that he wanted to create a spot where people can still believe and dream. “Here at Freddy Leck, everything is possible“. And I thought I was getting my clothes washed, oh no, I was getting an entire soul and mind wash. Mr. Leck decides to tell me an anecdote about one person who came into his shop, who decided to wash all of his clothes, even the ones he was wearing. He ended up standing only in his underwear, waiting for his clothes to dry. Indeed, everything is possible at this laundromat.

With a very own line, Freddy Leck is a success

Still early in the evening, I am one of few young people in Freddy Leck. Two are sleeping on the comfortable couch in the back, waiting for their laundry to dry, while some are enjoying their third coffee watching TV on a brand new flatscreen. Upon asking Freddy Leck what his future plans are, he mentions that this weekend he will host the very first “wash-party“, hopefully soon a reoccurring monthly date by the summer. This place is not only used as a means of clean clothes, it is an event location. Film teams come here and use “Freddy Leck“ as a location while young people can rent this place for their parties. Freddy Leck, a small german laundromat that is even big in Japan today, is truly the proof of “If you believe, you will achieve“.

See you next time!