Above, a festival at the Wall Park, Prenzlauer Berg. In the background is a mobile bicycle workshop for kids. Below, Lydia’s Wall Oasis, a snack stand run by a struggling east Berliner. Many living on the east side use nearby land in the former wall area to grow food. Former east Germans have not fared well in the unification. Opposite, a MIG fighter plane is suspendedfrom a former wall guard tower as part of a wild artfestival with an anti-war theme. down. At that point the now legendary “Round Table” discussions took place. These discussions brought many different interests and parties together in a non-hierarchical way. The children’s farm group won support for their project at the round table, but only after an intensive bureaucratic struggle in 1990 were they given use of some land. It was a small plot in almost hopeless condition; the organizers nearly did not accept it. But two years later the land is being restored using permaculture principles. The Pinke-Panke organizers believe that a return to nature must begin with children. They want kids to have the opportunity for selfinitiative, play, improvisation, adventure and hands-on learning. Children run the farm; adults are just partners and advisors. The farm gets some support from the city, but Rosie still spends a lot of her time selling the idea to foundations and politicians. The farm has a small staff but relies on volunteers for its success. It even attracts foreign volunteers through workcamp exchange programs. During my bikeride I joined a bambuilding project for a couple of hours. There were nearly 50 people there, mostly children, including a group with disabilities. All were happy at work, using many natural materials in the construction of the small, traditional halftimber bam. Pinke-panke Children’s Farm is organized as one Page 34 RAIN Spring 1993 Volume XIV, Number 3
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