A self-proclaimed monarch moves into Berlin-Kreuzberg. The long-awaited event is even being celebrated vigorously in the Kiez, which is still considered left-wing alternative. The musician Rio Reiser (“King of Germany”, “Everything Lies”), who died almost 26 years ago, gets a place named after him in the heart of SO 36, as the district is also called by many after the old postal delivery area 1000 Berlin 36.
The plans of the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district office were published in the Official Journal in April last year. There were four objections from local residents. These were rejected as inadmissible in October.
On the other hand, there were no complaints before the administrative court within the relevant deadlines, said a spokeswoman for the dpa in Berlin. Thus the honor of Reiser (1950-1996) is over. The decision was controversial, for example because the notoriously male-dominated list of streets and squares should actually be loosened up by women’s names.
The scene’s popular square on Oranienstraße with many pubs, bars and clubs has so far been called Heinrichplatz. It is named after Heinrich von Prussia (1781-1846), a younger brother of King Friedrich Wilhelm III. (1770-1840).
Now the “King of Germany” Rio Reiser is to be celebrated. The new street signs are ready. The district is also expecting Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth on August 21.
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In the 80s, the Greens politician was the manager of the political rock band Ton Steine Scherben (“Destroy what destroys you”, “No power for nobody”) for a few years, and Reiser was the singer before his solo career. For a while they lived together with other musicians in a farmhouse in Fresenhagen, North Friesland.