Photo: Feng Li
Berlin’s May Day has undergone significant change in the past decade or more — shifting from a notorious day of leftist protest frequently marred by rioting, to a dizzying techo and alcohol-fuelled street party. Yesterday’s festivities ushered in a new era for the annual holiday with the fest’s former epicentre Görlitzer Park in Kreuzberg tightly regulated — DJs and loudspeakers were banned from the park and neighbourhood Spätis were forbidden from serving alcohol. The sanctions resulted in a quieter 1 May than usual, but nonetheless revellers came out in their hoards to soak up the atmosphere. Luckily, Chinese photographer Feng Li, who’s in town for his recently opened exhibition, White Night at Galerie Sprechsaal, was there to capture a slice of the action exclusively for SLEEK.
Li’s photo essay details the divided spirit of this year’s fest: lighthearted pleasure seekers enjoy beers from windows as yellow-vested police officers take to the streets. Not only was the party kicked out of Görlitzer, but the annual leftist protest (against rampant gentrification and rising house prices) moved eastward, out of Kreuzberg and into Friedrichshain, a neighbourhood that has seen the dramatic impact of gentrification in recent years. Li’s photos not only describe the signature Berlin mix of hedonists combined with political protesters, but the diversity in protest: from impassioned Antifa activists to light-hearted demonstrators waving humorous candy-pink penises, from young and old, engulfing locals and tourists alike. On what is arguably the most famous day in the German capital’s calendar, Li’s photos encapsulate a spirited microcosm of Berlin-life.
See the full story below:
All photos by Feng Li exclusively for SLEEK.
Feng Li’s exhibition White Night is on view at Galerie Sprechsaal in Berlin through to 7 June.