Berlin's queer alternative housing project, Tuntenhaus, faces potential collapse: Will efforts be successful to preserve this vital sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community?
In the heart of Prenzlauer Berg, at Kastanienallee 86, lies Tuntenhaus - a significant institution of queer culture that has been a staple in Berlin for over three decades. However, recent developments have put this emblem of alternative subculture under threat.
The building that houses Tuntenhaus is up for sale, a surprise to its inhabitants who have made it their home and a hub for queer community activities. The 36-member collective of Tuntenhaus is actively pushing the Pankow district government to exercise Vorkaufsrecht (right of first refusal) to block the sale of the building.
Tuntenhaus, an alternative queer housing project similar to a squat in nature, has been a beacon of open space and collective housing communities, offering affordable housing that has made subculture possible. It has been instrumental in fostering a sense of community among alternative Berliners for the past 30 years.
The first Tuntenhaus was established at Bülowstraße 55 in Schöneberg from 1981 to 1983. Since then, it has moved locations, with the current Tuntenhaus Forellenhof in Friedrichshain gaining notoriety due to an exhibition at the Schwules Museum in 2022.
In response to the impending sale, Tuntenhaus has initiated weekend programmes for people to show their support. Keep up to date with these support programmes on Instagram @savetuntenhaus and @tuntenhausbleibt.
Juliet Bashore's short documentaries Battle of Tuntenhaus parts I and II are available to watch on YouTube, providing a glimpse into the community's fight to preserve this iconic space.
The 36-member collective advocating against the sale of the Tuntenhaus in Berlin is a group of activists and community members committed to preserving queer and alternative spaces. For them, Tuntenhaus represents a rare form of Berlin that has made subculture, open space, and collective housing communities possible.
As the fight to save Tuntenhaus continues, it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving these unique spaces that have shaped Berlin's cultural landscape.
