What If Berlin
28 August to 20 September 2026
What If Berlin
The Ringbahn as a Stage for 27 Forgotten Visions of the Future
While we traverse the built reality of the city, we are constantly surrounded by unrealised building plans, lost artistic designs and visions of a different way of living together. To mark the 75th anniversary of the Berliner Festspiele the Japanese artist Akira Takayama invites the public to take six guided tours on the Berlin Ringbahn that will enable them to encounter these ghosts of alternative futures. The ideas for these unrealised projects have come from the archives of the Berliner Festspiele, other Berlin cultural institutions and individual architects and artists. Takayama transposes them to the present and asks which visions we want to make reality in future. On four weekends the 27 stations of the Ringbahn will be turned into locations for forgotten plans for the future whose stories will be retold in new ways by experienced tour guides. The guided tours will be conducted in German and English.
What If Berlin: Trailer
© Berliner Festspiele
The Next Tours
FAQ
Practical Information
- Does My Event Ticket also Cover Travel on the S-Bahn?
Yes. The entire tour is covered by a single ticket, and no additional public transport ticket is required for participation in the tour itself. Travel to and from the tour’s starting and finishing points is not included. - Do the Tours End at the Same Location where They Start?
No. Our tours do not form a complete loop and have different starting and finishing points. Further information can be found under Starting Points. - What Happens if I Arrive Late at the Tour Starting Point?
As the tours take place both on and around the Ringbahn, participation cannot be guaranteed if you arrive late. Please ensure that you reach the relevant Travel Agency in good time before the tour begins.