#FREIHEITBERLIN: The New Artistic Voice of Teufelsberg
Have you heard about Teufelsberg´s latest attraction? The #FreiheitBerlin installation has recently been unveiled on the roof of the former American unit. These gigantic letters carry a special meaning and an exciting story. Do you know, for instance, why they appear to be reversed? Or how you can get up to the roof to view the installation up close? If not, then you have come to the right place!
The Origin of the Letters
The be Berlin campaign, run by Partner für Berlin Holding Gesellschaft für Hauptstadt-Marketing mbH since 2008, aims to establish Berlin as an international brand. Through innovative ideas, activities, and events, the campaign showcases what makes Berlin so unique and free. As part of this campaign, the #FreiheitBerlin lettering, designed by GRAFT and Graft Brandlab, was unveiled in 2018 at Washingtonplatz in front of Berlin Central Station. This installation was intended to symbolize the importance of freedom and make Berlin’s freedom visible worldwide. At the unveiling, then-mayor Michael Müller emphasized, “Berlin lives and loves freedom. We Berliners will never forget that peace and freedom are not a given.”
The letters #Freiheit were created by renowned street artists as part of the Berlin Art Bang project. Nine well-known street art crews, including Klebebande, El Bocho, Gogoplata, Case Maclaim, and the blog Notes of Berlin, were selected to design the letters. For the Berlin letters, anyone could participate – a unique project where citizens could contribute their creative interpretations of freedom.
Moving to Teufelsberg
In November 2023, the installation found a new home at Teufelsberg. But why here? Teufelsberg is more than just a hill in the capital – it is a unique symbol of artistic freedom in Berlin. Where surveillance and control once reigned, creativity and freedom now flourish. Artists from around the world use this historic site to create their visions and reflect on societal issues. The murals tell stories of freedom, resistance, and hope, giving the place a special atmosphere. The #FreiheitBerlin installation fits perfectly into this environment as it reflects the soul of this place. In a world that is becoming increasingly unsettled, Teufelsberg brings the freedom of art back into focus.
Fresh Colors
Art, especially street art, is vibrant and constantly evolving – much like the concept of freedom. To reflect this dynamic character, the installation was creatively transformed in March 2024. Each letter was repainted by a street artist, resulting in a unique artwork. The artists infused their personal interpretations of freedom into their works. The aim of this redesign was to give the letters new relevance and to reflect the meaning of freedom in today’s world. This initiative highlights the diversity and individuality that street art as an art form offers, showing how art and freedom can constantly influence and reinterpret each other.
Change of Perspective
And now to the frequently asked question: Why are the #FreiheitBerlin letters facing the way they are? Are they really reversed? No! It’s all a matter of perspective. The letters are aligned so that they appear reversed when viewed from the domes. This was deliberately designed to create an aesthetically pleasing view in combination with the white domes. The perfect picture emerges only when you look at the installation from the right perspective. Want to experience this impressive view yourself? Now you have the chance! Join our new Street Art Tour, where you can step onto the roof of the American unit and see the installation up close. Book your tour here and discover the fascinating world of art at Teufelsberg!
In the coming weeks, we will introduce each of the letters and the respective artists who made them so colourful. Stay tuned if you want to find out more!
