Performing Exiles

From 19 to 28 June 2025, the interdisciplinary festival Performing Exiles will once again showcase a scene of artists who, for a variety of reasons, have left their countries of origin and are shaping cultural life in Berlin. Matthias Lilienthal is curating the second edition of the festival with the support of Sophie Blomen.

The festival ‘Performing Exiles’ reflects on the description of exile beyond the narrow concept of persecution; the biographies of the artists have been globalised from the outset. ‘Performing Exiles’ questions the concept of exile against the background of constant global change and multiple migratory movements – with theatre, performance, discourse and concerts.

At the same time, ‘Performing Exiles’ sees itself as a structural initiative and connects with international positions.

The second edition of Performing Exiles will take place at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, HAU Hebbel am Ufer and Ballhaus Ost. The international and interdisciplinary festival of the Berliner Festspiele seeks to make diasporic life in the city of Berlin visible and explores the question of what the term exile means today.

As part of Performing Exiles, the 100° Diaspora format, under the artistic direction of Sophie Blomen, brings together the work of 45 diasporic artists and artist groups in a three-day performance marathon on five stages.

100° Diaspora is not curated in terms of content, but presents the first 45 applications in response to the open call, according to the principle of first come, first served.