Yes I know people die of starvation but this is ROTTEN food
July 31, 2008 10:39 AM Subscribe
Food Fight! For reasons unknown to mankind the people of Kreuzberg fight the people of Friedrichshain (two Berlin precincts) on the Brigde that connects them. Their ammunition is rotten vegetables, diapers, rotten fruit and everything else you'd find in your bio-trashcan. More (sorry only a Trailer), more and still more (in german only).
What you say?!
posted by Debaser626 at 11:22 AM on July 31, 2008
posted by Debaser626 at 11:22 AM on July 31, 2008
Here's an English language article that explains things a bit more.
posted by freshwater_pr0n at 11:26 AM on July 31, 2008
posted by freshwater_pr0n at 11:26 AM on July 31, 2008
We should have one of these in Vancouver. Us glorious East Sders could teach those lousy West Enders a thing or 2.
posted by dougzilla at 11:38 AM on July 31, 2008
posted by dougzilla at 11:38 AM on July 31, 2008
I'd rather not fight that fight dougzilla, you East Enders have more trash.
posted by dobie at 12:15 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by dobie at 12:15 PM on July 31, 2008
O that's excellent. Also see the photos from the annual Spanish tomato fight from the site that freshwater posted.
posted by echo target at 12:20 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by echo target at 12:20 PM on July 31, 2008
I've never heard of this and I've lived here in Kreuzberg for six years. But yeah, it sounds typical. Or maybe I had heard of it, but I always thought it was a water-fight.
Anyway, Friedrichshain's shit.
posted by creasy boy at 12:27 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
Anyway, Friedrichshain's shit.
posted by creasy boy at 12:27 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
It sounds like harmless fun to me. More power to them! I hope it becomes a long-standing tradition.
posted by Class Goat at 12:31 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by Class Goat at 12:31 PM on July 31, 2008
Good call dobie.
We may not spell very well, but we have lots of biodegradable ammunition.
posted by dougzilla at 12:57 PM on July 31, 2008
We may not spell very well, but we have lots of biodegradable ammunition.
posted by dougzilla at 12:57 PM on July 31, 2008
Where's The Big Picture when you need it?
posted by blue_beetle at 1:10 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by blue_beetle at 1:10 PM on July 31, 2008
I swear when I first read the post I thought it said Friedchickenstan...
*mutters to self*
posted by edgeways at 2:07 PM on July 31, 2008
*mutters to self*
posted by edgeways at 2:07 PM on July 31, 2008
I thought it said Friedchickenstan...
Ooooh. I want to move there.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 2:41 PM on July 31, 2008
Ooooh. I want to move there.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 2:41 PM on July 31, 2008
Why?
Well, at the basic level, Friedrichshain is part of the former east, while Kreuzberg is part of the former west. East and west divide there along the Spree river, which means that the only crossing point in the area is this particular bridge. (Did you know that, at the midpoint of the Oberbaumbrücke, the two sides have a perpetual game of Rock-Paper-Scissors)
Second, both Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are rich in weird people. Kreuzberg has a history of being the underbelly of west berlin, perhaps only to have that title snatched away by more depraved quarters in the former east after reunification. But really, you have Kreuzberg -- the multi-kulti borough, the turkish quarter, where everyone seems to be an immigrant, and those who are not are probably squatting. And Friedrichshain -- after the rush of young hispters back into the cheaper east, the filling of neighboring Prenzlauer Berg and subsequent wave of reproduction left that quarter full of dirty diapers. The flight over into Friedrichshain is predictible and the tossing of the diapers into Kreuzberg also predictibly re-enacts the history of the DDR -- das Arbeitslos Problem blamed on Ausländer.
Thirdly, where else to play out the timeless battle of Captialism vs Communism? With the Disneyfication of Checkpoint Charlie and the urban nature of the district there, urban food combat would upset tourism and local government. Indeed, (as to point number one) the bridge not only gives the east side-west struggle a focal point, but it's also out of the way of people who have actual things to do.
Lastly, There doesn't need to be a reason. This is exactly the sort of thing that happens in Berlin just because. I also hadn't heard of it, but I am not surprised because wacky shit like this happens on a weekly basis. There wasn't any (real) rioting, and so it's not so noteworthy. (God, I love this city)
posted by cotterpin at 3:44 PM on July 31, 2008 [2 favorites]
Well, at the basic level, Friedrichshain is part of the former east, while Kreuzberg is part of the former west. East and west divide there along the Spree river, which means that the only crossing point in the area is this particular bridge. (Did you know that, at the midpoint of the Oberbaumbrücke, the two sides have a perpetual game of Rock-Paper-Scissors)
Second, both Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are rich in weird people. Kreuzberg has a history of being the underbelly of west berlin, perhaps only to have that title snatched away by more depraved quarters in the former east after reunification. But really, you have Kreuzberg -- the multi-kulti borough, the turkish quarter, where everyone seems to be an immigrant, and those who are not are probably squatting. And Friedrichshain -- after the rush of young hispters back into the cheaper east, the filling of neighboring Prenzlauer Berg and subsequent wave of reproduction left that quarter full of dirty diapers. The flight over into Friedrichshain is predictible and the tossing of the diapers into Kreuzberg also predictibly re-enacts the history of the DDR -- das Arbeitslos Problem blamed on Ausländer.
Thirdly, where else to play out the timeless battle of Captialism vs Communism? With the Disneyfication of Checkpoint Charlie and the urban nature of the district there, urban food combat would upset tourism and local government. Indeed, (as to point number one) the bridge not only gives the east side-west struggle a focal point, but it's also out of the way of people who have actual things to do.
Lastly, There doesn't need to be a reason. This is exactly the sort of thing that happens in Berlin just because. I also hadn't heard of it, but I am not surprised because wacky shit like this happens on a weekly basis. There wasn't any (real) rioting, and so it's not so noteworthy. (God, I love this city)
posted by cotterpin at 3:44 PM on July 31, 2008 [2 favorites]
At least the Germans are working out their frustration this way, and not on the march towards France and Poland.
Think San Francisco could do this with Marin County over the Golden Gate bridge? That would be awesome. That or Oakland.
posted by dibblda at 4:09 PM on July 31, 2008
Think San Francisco could do this with Marin County over the Golden Gate bridge? That would be awesome. That or Oakland.
posted by dibblda at 4:09 PM on July 31, 2008
The battle (which has a name in German I don't quite recall now) on the Oberbaumbrucke was first done when Xberg and F'hain (notice clever use of Berliner slang) were united in '98, to see which district would be the 'ruler' of the new unified district.
There's also a few other "traditions", such as the May Day riots in Kreuzberg, for instance, which date all the way back to '87 (usually there's a rally and a 'whack-a-cop' party after that).
I love Berlin, for the record.
posted by _dario at 5:34 PM on July 31, 2008
There's also a few other "traditions", such as the May Day riots in Kreuzberg, for instance, which date all the way back to '87 (usually there's a rally and a 'whack-a-cop' party after that).
I love Berlin, for the record.
posted by _dario at 5:34 PM on July 31, 2008
Think San Francisco could do this with Marin County over the Golden Gate bridge?
That's a lot of lattes and seafood sourdough soup bowls. Besides, this is a lot better in German.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 6:16 PM on July 31, 2008
That's a lot of lattes and seafood sourdough soup bowls. Besides, this is a lot better in German.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 6:16 PM on July 31, 2008
Awesome. I could easily see a Denver vs. Boulder edition of this in my neck of the woods.
posted by lonefrontranger at 7:52 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by lonefrontranger at 7:52 PM on July 31, 2008
Taylor Adams began the Tomato Wars in 1982 as a protest against Texans in Colorado who constantly try to change the environment of the state. Legend has it that in 1982, when Adams was still the owner of the Black Wolf Inn at Twin Lakes, a woman from Dallas, while gazing upon Mt Elbert, said: "This is a pretty area. Its a shame nobody's done anything with it." This may have been the comment which inspired the battle cry: "Keep Colorado beautiful: put a Texan on a bus."
The tomato war contest is held in September. The battle zone varies from year to year. The rules are simple: There is an army consisting of a captain, 9 soldiers and an M.P. The soldiers carry their ammunition in plastic grocery bags strapped to their waists. The bugle sounds at noon and the Colorado soldiers charge the Texans, who usually retreat into their fort (known as the Tomalamo) and defend their fort by throwing tomatoes at a rapid pace. Soldiers hit above the torso by a tomato are considered dead and must leave the battlefield and watch from the sidelines. Although the Colorado armies often run out of ammunition, they ultimately surround the Texans fort and bring down the Lone Star flag. The process usually takes about 2 hours. After Saturdays battle, there is a shoot out on Sunday among the winning contestants.
Some of the best strategies have included a Texan arriving by helicopter, a Coloradoan arriving by parachute and a peace march held by a dissenting army, holding signs such as "Hell No We Won't Throw" and spouting slogans that tomatoes should be used for other uses, such as bloody marys. The best strategy involved an attractive Texas female who began to undress within sight of advancing male Colorado warriors. The Coloradoans were caught off guard and ambushed. @
posted by hortense at 9:50 PM on July 31, 2008
The tomato war contest is held in September. The battle zone varies from year to year. The rules are simple: There is an army consisting of a captain, 9 soldiers and an M.P. The soldiers carry their ammunition in plastic grocery bags strapped to their waists. The bugle sounds at noon and the Colorado soldiers charge the Texans, who usually retreat into their fort (known as the Tomalamo) and defend their fort by throwing tomatoes at a rapid pace. Soldiers hit above the torso by a tomato are considered dead and must leave the battlefield and watch from the sidelines. Although the Colorado armies often run out of ammunition, they ultimately surround the Texans fort and bring down the Lone Star flag. The process usually takes about 2 hours. After Saturdays battle, there is a shoot out on Sunday among the winning contestants.
Some of the best strategies have included a Texan arriving by helicopter, a Coloradoan arriving by parachute and a peace march held by a dissenting army, holding signs such as "Hell No We Won't Throw" and spouting slogans that tomatoes should be used for other uses, such as bloody marys. The best strategy involved an attractive Texas female who began to undress within sight of advancing male Colorado warriors. The Coloradoans were caught off guard and ambushed. @
posted by hortense at 9:50 PM on July 31, 2008
fascinating, thanks hortense! tho I think the locals could make a case for declaring war on Californians for the same reasons...
posted by lonefrontranger at 10:27 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by lonefrontranger at 10:27 PM on July 31, 2008
Dirty diapers? See, that's gentrification for you: Kreuzberg used to be better known for its Molotov cocktails.
To those unfamiliar with Berlin, it must be pointed out that during the Cold War, West-Berlin (and in particular Kreuzberg) became a counter-culture magnet because, as it was formally under Allied occupation until the reunification of Germany, its residents escaped the West German draft. Ironically in my opinion, in case of a "hot" war, the independent-minded Kreuzberg draft-dodging hippies with their well-honed urban guerrilla skills would have been a bigger headache for the Warsaw Pact than several divisions of West German conscripts, tanks and all.
posted by Skeptic at 2:15 AM on August 1, 2008
To those unfamiliar with Berlin, it must be pointed out that during the Cold War, West-Berlin (and in particular Kreuzberg) became a counter-culture magnet because, as it was formally under Allied occupation until the reunification of Germany, its residents escaped the West German draft. Ironically in my opinion, in case of a "hot" war, the independent-minded Kreuzberg draft-dodging hippies with their well-honed urban guerrilla skills would have been a bigger headache for the Warsaw Pact than several divisions of West German conscripts, tanks and all.
posted by Skeptic at 2:15 AM on August 1, 2008
omg. that's hilarious! how do they know when to start? do they just mill about until an official directive to start flinging is given? or do they attack at dawn's first light? how long does it last? how do they know when it's over?
there must be a helluva party afterwards. a big, beer-drinkin' stinky party.
posted by msconduct at 4:42 PM on August 1, 2008
there must be a helluva party afterwards. a big, beer-drinkin' stinky party.
posted by msconduct at 4:42 PM on August 1, 2008
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posted by PostIronyIsNotaMyth at 11:10 AM on July 31, 2008