Ukrainian presence at Berlin's Carnival of Cultures: Inclusion and coexistence under the shadow of war

Berlin, May 25 (CNA) - Berlin's 'Carnival of Cultures' kicked off on the 24th. This cultural festival, which originated from anti-racism movements, presents the diverse coexistence of Berlin through float parades by immigrants and exiled communities from around the world. During the carnival, Kyiv was again subjected to large-scale Russian air strikes, but Ukrainian immigrants in the parade expressed their demands through traditional culture. The annual large-scale street event 'Carnival of Cultures' in Berlin was founded in 1996, originating from Germany's anti-racism and anti-far-right violence movements, aiming to showcase Berlin's inclusive and diverse cultural appearance as an immigrant city through music, dance, and float parades. The carnival, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, attracted hundreds of thousands of people to the streets during the three-day event, coinciding with a German holiday, showcasing Berlin's characteristics as an inclusive immigrant city. According to Berlin city statistics, about one-quarter of Berlin's population does not hold German citizenship and comes from over 190 countries, making it one of the cities with the highest proportion of foreign residents in Germany. In recent years, with the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, a large number of Ukrainian refugees have moved to Berlin, and Ukrainian culture has gradually integrated into the city's daily landscape. According to Federal Statistical Office data, as of the end of 2025, among the 180,000 refugees living in Berlin, about 60,000 are from Ukraine. During the carnival, Kyiv was again air-raided. According to CNA's reporter in Ukraine, several shopping malls in Kyiv suffered severe fires caused by missiles and drone debris. In the parade on the 24th, Ukrainian immigrants wore sunflower crowns, the national flower of Ukraine, and traditional white embroidered shirts and red skirts, showcasing the characteristics of Ukrainian culture. A little boy in traditional white clothing waved a Ukrainian flag in the parade, pulling a stroller decorated with sunflowers, presenting in a pure and simple way that the people of Ukraine have not lost hope under the war and are striving for the survival of the next generation. The Carnival of Cultures is also a platform for exiled communities, immigrants, and minority groups to show their identity. This year, in addition to Ukraine, a Tibetan group holding the Tibetan snow lion flag was also seen in the parade. Annika, a Berlin resident who participated in the parade, told CNA that the Carnival of Cultures has always been considered one of the coolest and most important city festivals in Berlin. 'Here you can learn about different cultures, eat food from different countries, and dance to music from different countries,' she said, believing this is the most authentic manifestation of Berlin's multiculturalism. Ke Qianhui, a Taiwanese immigrant who has lived in Germany for 17 years, also shared her feelings as an immigrant in Berlin. She said that Berlin's inclusiveness attracts people from many different countries, and what she likes most about the Carnival of Cultures is that she can learn about many small countries and island communities she had never heard of before through the floats and parades of various countries. 'I think it's something to be very proud of that everyone can celebrate each other's culture and coexist here,' she said.