News from Berlin

American Ambassador and Wife Tour the District of Kreuzberg

May 28th, 2014
American Ambassador Kreuzberg.jpg

News from Berlin – The American ambassador to Germany, John B. Emerson, and his wife, Kimberly Marteau Emerson, went on a tour of the Kreuzberg district of Berlin last week. The Ambassador mixed business with pleasure as he conducted official business as an American diplomat, but also explored the Kreuzberg culinary and cultural scene with his wife.

He started off with a visit to the Social Impact Lab, a consulting and cooperating space for social enterprises, which also gives bi-monthly workshops for anyone looking to start up or perfect their own venture. He took part in a discussion on the social impact of such initiatives, informing himself on the work being done within the institution, and walked around the office space, which a wide variety of social enterprises share, learning about the different projects, spearheaded and often single-handedly managed by young people seeking to make a difference in a tangible way.

The Ambassador later made his way to the Turkish establishment Smyrna, a hallmark of the Kreuzberg speciality food scene, where he enjoyed a meal with his team. He also got a haircut at a famous Kreuzberg barbershop, visited a flower market, and had a Döner kebab at another establishment of Turkish cuisine in Berlin, as well as baklavas at Kilicoglu.

By touring this district with a camera crew, Ambassador Emerson took a first step in giving visibility to the Kreuzberg district, especially the predominantly immigrant-populated area that is often overlooked by political officials. By sampling this everyday facet of Berlin culture, Ambassador Emerson is taking a definitive step in furthering diplomats’ knowledge of another, more off-the-beaten-path side of Berlin.

News from Berlin – Berlin Global