History

[*Registration form required below*] **Interested in Japanese sword fighting or Japanese culture? Come join a trial and experience the traditional Samurai art at Katori Shintō-ryū in Schöneberg.** **Trial Fee**: **25€**/ session (2hr). Classes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 19:00 to 21:00. **!!SIGN UP HERE**: [Katori Shinto-ryū Berlin Sign-up (google.com)](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBt4A13VgnEcgQQ2PDaruthmYMRWineG4KtUCKsuC9KBsCUQ/viewform) Registration is required before your participation so that we can prepare enough training equipment. **Address**: Belziger Str. 25, 10823 Berlin. **No previous experience required!** The classes are in English and German. **Our website**: [Kenjutsu Berlin - Official school of Katori Shinto-ryu in Berlin (katoriberlin.org)](https://katoriberlin.org/) **Katori Shintō-ryū** is one of the oldest Japanese sword fighting traditions (koryū) still practised today and is recognized by the Japanese government as a cultural intangeable asset. The school was founded in the middle of the 15th century by Iizasa Chōisai Ienao at the Katori Shrine (Katori jingū) and has become the origin of numerous other martial arts schools over the course of its almost 600-year history. The training consists of the continuous repetition of fixed sequences of movements (kata) and includes the use of classic Japanese weapons such as the sword (iai-jutsu, battō-jutsu, ken-jutsu, ryōtō-jutsu, kodachi-jutsu), the long staff (bō-jutsu), the lance (naginata-jutsu) and the spear (sō-jutsu), as well as unarmed disciplines, tactics and spiritual aspects. **The Katori Berlin dojo** is the only official shibu of Otake Nobutoshi-shihan’s dojo Shinbukan in Germany and fully dedicated to the transmission and study of one martial tradition: Tenshinshō-den Katori Shintō-ryū. Through these efforts we aim to contribute to the cultural preservation of this martial tradition. The dojo has one officially appointed shidosha. **Our sensei**: Sebastian Graetz has been active in martial arts since 1997. After almost 15 years of taekwondo in Berlin, he started with Katori Shintō-ryū in Asia in 2014. Since then, he has studied in Japan with Ōtake Risuke-shihan and Ōtake Nobutoshi-shihan, and in Vietnam with Malte Stokhof-shihandai. In 2023, he received his Menkyo license and permission to set up a training group in Berlin the following year.

**Angular Berlin is BACK!** After a year-long break, we're returning with a bang! Join us for our first Angular Meetup Berlin of 2026 – with great talks, good vibes, pizza & drinks. And we're thrilled to have[ Dr. Klein Wowi Finanz](https://www.drklein-wowi.de/) AG host us for this special comeback edition. The event is proudly sponsored by workshops.de, supporting the Angular community in Berlin. *** **Date:** Monday, March 16th, 2026 **Location:** Dr. Wowi Klein Finanz GmbH, Heidestraße 8, 10557 Berlin **Schedule:** 18:30 Doors open 18:45 Introduction 19:00 First Talk: Angular & Agentic AI Engineering - Robin Böhm 19:45 Break 20:15 Second Talk: Visual Regression Testing - the secure net for your QA - Richard Pearson & Hagen Strahl 21:00 Networking 21:30 End *** Whether you're a long-time community member or joining us for the first time, come say hi, connect with fellow Angular developers, and let's kick off a great year together!

**Hi everyone!** We’ll now be meeting twice a week at Denizen House (Köpenicker Str. 40, 10179 Berlin), on **Mondays and Wednesdays**! * **Mondays:** levels A1 to B2 * **Wednesdays:** levels B1 to C1 We work with dedicated materials tailored to each level, so everyone will have a place to practice and improve. **Event schedule** * **18:00 – 18:30** Arrival and registration * **18:30 – 19:50** Sprachcafé * **19:50 – 20:00** End and clean up Please be aware that the moderated event starts at **18:30**. Before this time, we are busy setting up the space. Registrations usually take place around **18:15 / 18:20**. Participants are kindly asked **not to arrive too far in advance** at the house. If someone arrives much earlier, Denizen may ask them to pay either for a drink (consumption) or for a **day pass**, as the space is a co-working environment during the day. **Please remember, our event is only happening from 18:00 to 20:00** **How the Sprachcafé works** We use different materials to help participants gain confidence in German. Together with whiteboards and our volunteers, the Sprachcafé is based on **interactive conversations** in small groups. **Participation fee** The Sprachcafé has a **participation fee of 5 €**, which helps cover organizational costs and **includes one soft drink for free**. Tickets can be purchased directly on the day of the event, card and cash payments are accepted. As the Sprachcafé has become very popular, we now need to **limit the number of participants**. Please understand this measure; it ensures that everyone has a comfortable space to practice. We kindly ask you to be **rücksichtsvoll** and only RSVP “Yes” if you are certain you can attend. If your plans change at the last minute, please update your RSVP so someone on the waiting list can take your spot. Getting your ticket early can help secure your place. **Please note** Our event will begin **promptly** at the scheduled start time. If you arrive late, we cannot guarantee your participation, even if you have a ticket or have RSVP’d. We encourage all guests to arrive on time to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. **About Denizen** Denizen is a new-style co-working space focused on being an integral part of local communities. Located on the ground floor of the historic Eiswerk on Köpenicker Straße in Kreuzberg, Denizen House is a communal place providing work, refreshment, and recreational facilities throughout the day. Think of it as a living room for the neighborhood. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know. If you’d like to contribute to this night, send me a message! Ich freue mich schon! Grüße, **Nacho**

**Smut Slam Berlin: walking the line between filth and transformation!** Berlin’s only community dirty storytelling open mic boldly goes where no smutty slam has gone before on Monday, March 16, with the theme "UNKNOWN TERRITORY." When you don't have a map, when the map is wrong, when you don't know where you're going, but holy shit, you're enjoying the ride... these are the times that make ASTONISHING stories, and we want to hear! Mon 16 March \* doors at 7, slam at 8pm LOCATION: The Social Hub Berlin, Alexanderstr 40 Adv tickets: 15/adv gen, 25-40/supporter (plus VAT and fee), 20/day of show. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/smut-slam-berlin-unknown-territory-tickets-1983876467920 At the door: €20/general, €10/soli (for students or unemployed folks w/ supporting ID) \* \* PLEASE NOTE: tickets are transferable but NON-REFUNDABLE for any reason. Location: Alexanderstr 40 (2-3 minutes' walk from S/U Jannowitzbrücke) GUEST JUDGES: TBA \*\* Prizes from Other Nature alternativer Sexladen, with the Fuckbucket prize sponsored by Überlube! SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 7-8 pm: get tested, save your seat, enjoy our reading lounge, grab your drink 8-10:30pm: Smut Slam, in the old-fashioned way (with one short intermission) 10:30-whenever: stay for a little longer, we don't have to worry about neighbors here! The Smut Slam features real-life, first-person sex stories from the audience, stories from guests and sometimes even celebrity judges, and also readings from THE FUCKBUCKET, a convenient and funnily named receptacle for all your anonymous questions and confessions! IMPORTANT: Smut Slam is queer-friendly, kink- AND vanilla-friendly, fat-friendly, sex worker-friendly, virgin-friendly, polyamory-friendly, we're really, really friendly. We welcome people with all types and amounts of sexual experiences. We DO NOT welcome stories or fuckbuckets involving racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia or any other kind of discrimination, or nonconsensual objectification or fetishization. All activities discussed must be CONSENSUAL. SMUT SLAM is CREATED by Cameryn Moore, an award-winning playwright/performer, sex activist and educator, and former phone sex operator. When not performing, riding the train, or actually having sex herself, Cameryn writes Sidewalk Smut: custom type-written erotica as street performance and literary art. WE PRACTICE SAFER SMUT! DO NOT ATTEND if you are feeling poorly! There will be more slams! \* \*\* We encourage mask use indoors. This remains one of the best ways to protect yourself against getting sick from COVID or any of the other airborne diseases going around. \*\* As always, we are closely watching current COVID-19 rates, and as things change, one way or the other, we may loosen or tighten our pandemic protocols. We will never surprise you with changes, but tell you in advance, so you can make informed decisions. Smut Slam keeps both comfort and well-being in mind, for the community! PLEASE NOTE: We have a strong Code of Conduct for everyone at a slam. We try very hard to run the event accordingly, and we want attendees to actually pay attention so you can help us create this safer space: https://docs.google.com/document/d/120FTNtC47HhNIEP91TXpUT21mwsDCryMsRhAj74nJjs/edit?usp=sharing Please do take a moment to read this statement, thank you! ACCESSIBILITY: The venue space is wheelchair accessible.

**TIN\* Embodied Practices** mit Lux für **TIN\* (trans\*, inter\*, nicht-binäre, agender und genderqueere Personen)\*** Kostenlos mit **[Anmeldung ](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/tin-embodied-practices/w06-2026)** **Ein somatischer Bewegungsraum für TIN\*-Körper (trans\*, inter\*, nicht-binäre, agender und genderqueere Personen)**. Inspiriert von Body-Mind Centering®, der Atemarbeit nach Ilse Middendorf, Authentic Movement und Feldenkrais verbinden die Sessions angeleitete Bewegung, Berührung, Improvisation und Reflexion. Auf Basis von Konsens, Autonomie und Care stärkt die Praxis Körperwahrnehmung, Selbstbestimmung und Resilienz in einer unterstützenden Gemeinschaft. Ein bewegungsbasierter Raum zur Selbstentfaltung, der sich TIN\*-Körpern (Trans\*, Inter\*, Nicht-binär, einschließlich agender und genderqueer Identitäten) und den Lebenserfahrungen von Menschen widmet, die sich außerhalb traditioneller Cisgender-Definitionen identifizieren. Diese Praxis ist inspiriert von der Erfahrungsanatomie von Body-Mind Centering®, der Atemarbeit von Ilse Middendorf, Authentic Movement, Feldenkrais und anderen somatischen Bewegungsansätzen. Berührung, praktische und partnerschaftliche Arbeit, Tanzimprovisationswerkzeuge und kollektive Reflexion werden zu einem integrierten somatischen Bewegungsrahmen verwoben, der auf Zustimmung, Autonomie und Fürsorge basiert. Die Absicht dieses Raums ist es, die Entwicklung von Selbstvertrauen und Resilienz in unserer Körperlichkeit als TIN\*-Menschen zu unterstützen, die körperliche Autonomie zu fördern und Berührungskompetenz innerhalb einer unterstützenden und bewussten Gemeinschaft zu entwickeln. Jede Sitzung beginnt mit einer geführten somatischen Bewegungsübung, die sich auf die Entwicklung anatomischer Werkzeuge zur Selbstbeobachtung konzentriert. Wir arbeiten mit den fünf Hauptlinien (Arme, Beine, Wirbelsäule), den vier Ecken des Rumpfes (Schultern und Hüften), den drei Hauptgewichtspunkten (Kopf, Brustkorb, Becken) und den beiden Seiten des Körpers. Diese Prinzipien unterstützen die Teilnehmer dabei, sich innerhalb ihrer eigenen körperlichen Architektur zu orientieren und ein verkörpertes Bewusstsein zu entwickeln. Auf dieser Grundlage erweitert sich die Praxis zu gemeinschaftlichen Bewegungen und gemeinsamer räumlicher Gestaltung, einschließlich Zeit für Integration und Reflexion. Bewegung wird als relationale, politische und räumliche Praxis an sich betrachtet. 🔵 **TIN\* Embodied Practices** with Lux for **TIN\* (Trans\*, Inter\*, Non-binary, agender and genderqueer people)** Free **[Registration Required](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/tin-embodied-practices/w16-2026/)** Drawing from Body-Mind Centering®, breathwork after Ilse Middendorf, Authentic Movement and Feldenkrais, the sessions combine guided movement, touch-based exploration, improvisation and reflection. Grounded in consent, autonomy and care, the practice supports embodied awareness, bodily autonomy and resilience within a supportive community. A movement-based and self-development space dedicated to TIN\* bodies (Trans\*, Inter\*, Non-binary, including agender and genderqueer identities) and the lived experiences of people identifying outside traditional cisgender definitions. This practice draws inspiration from the experiential anatomy of Body-Mind Centering®, the breathwork of Ilse Middendorf, Authentic Movement, Feldenkrais, and other somatic movement approaches. Touch, hands-on and partnered work, dance improvisation tools, and collective reflection are woven together into an integrated somatic movement framework grounded in consent, autonomy, and care. The intention of this space is to support the cultivation of confidence and resilience in our physicality as TIN\* people, nurture bodily autonomy, and develop touch literacy within a supportive and conscious community. Each session begins with a guided somatic movement practice focused on developing anatomical tools for self-observation. We work with the five cardinal lines (arms, legs, spine), the four corners of the trunk (shoulders and hips), the three primary weights (head, chest, pelvis), and the two sides of the body. These principles support participants in orienting within their own physical architecture and cultivating embodied awareness. From this foundation, the practice expands into communal movement and shared spatial authorship, including time for integration and reflection. Movement is framed as relational, political, and spatial practice in its own right. **General Information** To engage fully in the experience, participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing. **Participants:** This workshop is intended for people who identify outside traditional cisgender definitions: Trans\*, Inter\*, Non-binary, including agender and genderqueer identities. **Registration:** This event has limited spots available. Registration via our website is required. **Language:** This event will be in English. **Cost:** The event is free of charge.

Importante: O grupo é ativo e o encontro acontece toda segunda (geralmente tem pelo menos 10 participantes, mesmo que não apareçam aqui no aplicativo). A gente se organiza mais por um grupo de WhatsApp do que pelo MeetUp. Entre em contato com Timur para ser adicionada/o ao grupo de WhatsApp. Hallo Leute / Oi, pessoal! Hallo an alle! Montag machen wir einen Sprachaustausch Portugiesisch-Deutsch. Wir treffen uns um 19:00 Uhr im Yorkschlösschen. Es ist egal, ob du bereits gut Portugiesisch sprichst oder erst dabei bist, die Sprache zu lernen, lass uns gemeinsam üben! Wir sehen uns dort :) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Temos um evento bacaninha para quem quer praticar alemão e/ou português em Berlin. Vamos nos encontrar às 19:00h no Yorkschlösschen. Não importa se você já fala bem alemão ou se tá só aprendendo, vamos praticar!

**The Question of Success: Psychology, Society, History, and Personal Meaning** Success is one of the most commonly used and least clearly defined ideas in modern life. People are encouraged to pursue success in education, careers, relationships, creativity, and personal development. Yet what success actually means—and how it is defined—varies widely across historical periods, cultures, and individual experiences. For some, success is associated with wealth, status, recognition, or professional achievement. For others, it may mean autonomy, purpose, intellectual fulfillment, meaningful relationships, or inner well-being. Because of this diversity, success is not only a personal aspiration but also a social and psychological concept shaped by historical context, cultural values, institutions, and collective expectations. This session will explore how the idea of success is formed, pursued, and experienced. We will consider how social structures, cultural narratives, and psychological processes influence what people strive for, how they evaluate their lives, and how they interpret achievement and failure. In this session, we will focus on the following topics: * How different cultures and historical periods have defined a successful life * What psychology reveals about motivation, ambition, and the drive to achieve * How society—education, work, and social expectations—shapes our idea of success * The inner side of success: self-belief, identity, and personal values * Why success does not always lead to happiness—and what failure teaches us * Who gets the opportunity to succeed—and how we might redefine success today This will be an open and reflective conversation grounded in historical perspectives, psychological research, social structures, and personal experience. Together, we will examine how success is constructed, how it influences our decisions and identities, and how individuals and societies might rethink what it means to live a successful life. 📅 **Event Details** 🗓️ **Date:** Sunday, 22 March 2026 ⏰ **Time:** 14:00 📍 **Location:** Hardenbergstraße 10, 10623 Berlin 📱 **WhatsApp (for prep materials and directions)** [Group Chat](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ba8ZAaH2Yuk6FGmD3LLO7H)

[*Registration form required below*] **Interested in Japanese sword fighting or Japanese culture? Come join a trial and experience the traditional Samurai art at Katori Shintō-ryū in Schöneberg.** **Trial Fee**: **25€**/ session (2hr). Classes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 19:00 to 21:00. **!!SIGN UP HERE**: [Katori Shinto-ryū Berlin Sign-up (google.com)](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBt4A13VgnEcgQQ2PDaruthmYMRWineG4KtUCKsuC9KBsCUQ/viewform) Registration is required before your participation so that we can prepare enough training equipment. **Address**: Belziger Str. 25, 10823 Berlin. **No previous experience required!** The classes are in English and German. **Our website**: [Kenjutsu Berlin - Official school of Katori Shinto-ryu in Berlin (katoriberlin.org)](https://katoriberlin.org/) **Katori Shintō-ryū** is one of the oldest Japanese sword fighting traditions (koryū) still practised today and is recognized by the Japanese government as a cultural intangeable asset. The school was founded in the middle of the 15th century by Iizasa Chōisai Ienao at the Katori Shrine (Katori jingū) and has become the origin of numerous other martial arts schools over the course of its almost 600-year history. The training consists of the continuous repetition of fixed sequences of movements (kata) and includes the use of classic Japanese weapons such as the sword (iai-jutsu, battō-jutsu, ken-jutsu, ryōtō-jutsu, kodachi-jutsu), the long staff (bō-jutsu), the lance (naginata-jutsu) and the spear (sō-jutsu), as well as unarmed disciplines, tactics and spiritual aspects. **The Katori Berlin dojo** is the only official shibu of Otake Nobutoshi-shihan’s dojo Shinbukan in Germany and fully dedicated to the transmission and study of one martial tradition: Tenshinshō-den Katori Shintō-ryū. Through these efforts we aim to contribute to the cultural preservation of this martial tradition. The dojo has one officially appointed shidosha. **Our sensei**: Sebastian Graetz has been active in martial arts since 1997. After almost 15 years of taekwondo in Berlin, he started with Katori Shintō-ryū in Asia in 2014. Since then, he has studied in Japan with Ōtake Risuke-shihan and Ōtake Nobutoshi-shihan, and in Vietnam with Malte Stokhof-shihandai. In 2023, he received his Menkyo license and permission to set up a training group in Berlin the following year.

In case you haven't participated before, GameDay is a high-energy event of building, troubleshooting, and a bit of friendly competition - all happening in the AWS Console with a team of 2-4 to compete with each other. AWS User Groups across Europe, together with AWS, are bringing you AWS Community GameDay Europe: a large, synchronized event where you can test your AWS skills in a fun, hands-on way. We will work as a team and see how we compare with teams in other cities. Besides we are all connected through a shared live stream! **When?** 17th of March\, Tuesday \| 18:00 \- 21:00 **Where?** AWS BER13: Brüderstraße 26, 10178 Berlin ❗**How to Register - Read Carefully**❗ Participation is free of charge. Your AWS resource usage is also covered. You will be provided a sandbox AWS account. Therefore, you won't need an AWS account! ❗Please register with your full name by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/VVjGapS4fDRonGy1A ❗You need to bring your own laptop to this workshop. Make sure AWS CLI is installed. Contact us if you're not sure how. ❗A confirmation e-mail from Meetup is not relevant. You can participate only if you receive a confirmation from us: [kadir@berlinawsug.de](mailto:kadir@berlinawsug.de) \-\-\- **Additional Information** **This event is wheelchair friendly.** Help us spread the word, and invite your friends & colleagues! If you're attending with wheelchair and need assistance, please mail us: [organisers@berlinawsug.de](mailto:organisers@berlinawsug.de) for further details. \-\-\- Would you like to host AWS UG Event at your company? [Register here](https://bit.ly/aws-host) Would you like to speak at AWS UG MeetUp?[Submit your topic here](https://bit.ly/aws-talk)

Hast du Angst, vor Publikum zu sprechen? Verlangt dein Beruf Präsentationen, Pitches oder Vorträge? Wirst du nervös, sobald alle Augen auf dich gerichtet sind? Verlierst du manchmal den roten Faden oder merkst, wie deine Zuhörer gedanklich auf Wanderschaft gehen? Dann bist du bei uns genau richtig. Bei Toastmasters trainierst du deine Redekunst in einem sicheren, wertschätzenden Umfeld. Schritt für Schritt. Rede für Rede. Mit klarem Feedback und echter Unterstützung. Hier wächst nicht nur deine Technik, sondern auch deine Präsenz. ## So läuft ein typischer Abend ab 🎤 Der Abend wird von **Alexandra, unserer Präsidentin**, eröffnet. Sie führt durch das Programm und sorgt dafür, dass sich Gäste wie Mitglieder gleichermaßen willkommen fühlen. ### 🗣 Vorbereitete Reden (meist 4 Reden à 5–7 Minuten) In der Regel erwarten dich vier vorbereitete Reden. Persönlich, inspirierend, humorvoll oder nachdenklich. Jede Rede dauert zwischen 5 und 7 Minuten und ist Teil eines individuellen Lernwegs. ### ☕ Pause Zeit zum Austausch, Durchatmen und Kennenlernen. ### ⚡ Stegreifreden (1–2 Minuten) Hier wird es spontan. Ein Impuls, eine Frage, ein Gedanke. Auch **mutige Gäste** dürfen sich ausprobieren und ganz ungezwungen Bühnenluft schnuppern. ### 📝 Feedbackteil Nun kommt der vielleicht wichtigste Teil des Abends. * **Bewertungsreden** zu den vorbereiteten Reden (je 2–3 Minuten) * Feedback weiterer Rollen wie Zeitnehmer oder Sprachstilbewerter * Ein **Gesamtbewerter**, der den Abend als Ganzes reflektiert Das Feedback ist konstruktiv, konkret und immer wertschätzend. Es zeigt Stärken auf und gibt klare Impulse zur Weiterentwicklung. ### 👋 Verabschiedung Zum Abschluss rundet Alexandra den Abend ab und gibt einen Ausblick auf kommende Treffen. ### 🍽 Danach: Restaurant & Socializing Wer mag, kommt mit ins Restaurant. Dort wird weitergeredet, gelacht, diskutiert und vernetzt. Wenn du lernen willst, klarer zu sprechen, souveräner aufzutreten und deine Botschaften wirkungsvoll zu platzieren, dann komm einfach zum nächsten Clubtreffen. Die Bühne wartet nicht auf Perfektion. Sie belohnt Mut. ✨

In diesem Kurs beschäftigen wir uns mit verschiedenen Texten aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen. Das können u.a. kurze Geschichten, Gedichte, Zeitungsartikel, Kolumnen oder Videos sein. Immer sind es Themen, die uns gefallen, die wir besonders interessant, wichtig oder manchmal auch richtig schlecht finden. Gemeinsam versuchen wir die Position der Autor*in, den Stil und die Argumentationsstruktur zu verstehen. Dazu diskutieren wir über das, was wir verstehen, welche Meinung wir zu dem Thema haben oder welche Fragen offen bleiben.
Gerne könnt ihr uns auch Themenvorschläge mitbringen oder zuschicken.
Der Kurs richtet sich an interessierte Menschen mit einem B2-Niveau (oder so ähnlich), die Lust haben sich weiter mit der deutschen Sprache zu beschäftigen und ihren Wortschatz zu erweitern.
Die Termine sind sporadisch.

🏆🎤 **Area-Wettbewerb 2026 – Sei live dabei!** Am **21\. März 2026** treten die besten Redner aus mehreren Clubs gegeneinander an. Beim Area-Wettbewerb erlebst du mitreißende Reden, Spannung bis zur letzten Minute und inspirierendes Feedback auf höchstem Niveau. Hier zeigt sich, was regelmäßiges Training, Mut und Leidenschaft bewirken können. Jede Rede ist eine Bühne, jede Bewertung ein Schritt nach vorn. 📍 Rathaus Johannisthal, Sterndamm 102, 12487 Berlin Ob als Unterstützer, Gast oder zukünftiger Teilnehmer – du bist herzlich willkommen. Komm vorbei und erlebe Rhetorik in ihrer lebendigsten Form. Wir freuen uns auf einen Abend voller Applaus, Gänsehaut-Momente und glänzender Pokale. 🏆✨

On the International Day of Poetry, we’re meeting in the Rosengarten at Bürgerpark Pankow to write and share poetry together — in a simple, grounded way. No stage. No microphone. No pressure. Bring: * A poem you love * A journal + pen We’ll sit on the benches, take time to write, and then gather in a standing circle to share — if we’d like to. I’ll guide us through a few short writing prompts and we’ll do 2–3 rounds, depending on the group’s energy. The focus is on presence, listening, and creative expression — not perfection. Dress warmly — March can still be crisp. Duration: approx. 75–90 minutes. Afterwards, whoever wants can join for tea or coffee nearby. Orga This meetup is donation based. Your contribution helps keep this community alive and is highly appreciated. You can either contribute in cash or via Buy me a Coffee: [https://buymeacoffee.com/butterflyradar](https://buymeacoffee.com/butterflyradar) Questions? Check our FAQs: [https://socialbutterfly.berlin/meetup-faq/](https://socialbutterfly.berlin/meetup-faq/) Meet your host I’m Julia — a Berlin local who loves bringing people together. My path went from growing up in a dance school to studying philosophy to working in IT support, and somehow all of that led me here: hosting meetups and creating spaces where people can show up, relax, and connect. Insta [https://www.instagram.com/juwaberlin/](https://www.instagram.com/juwaberlin/) LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-waehnert/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-waehnert/) About The Social Butterfly Club 🦋 is a Berlin-based community that has been bringing people together for over three years. Each gathering is part of a larger framework designed to help friendships grow through shared experiences in the city — with a long-term vision of turning Berlin itself into a shared, playful experience. **Curious to learn more about the Social Butterfly Club?** You can explore the bigger picture and stay connected here: [https://social-butterfly-berlin.kit.com/join](https://social-butterfly-berlin.kit.com/join) Join our Telegram Group: [https://t.me/+OnASVWZ7emhjYzEy](https://t.me/+OnASVWZ7emhjYzEy) Support us with a monthly membership: [https://steady.page/en/social-butterfly-club/](https://steady.page/en/social-butterfly-club/)

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Secrets of Runes,”** on the origins, development, and interpretation of the runic script, with Lilla Kopár, runologist and a professor of medieval literature and culture at Catholic University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-rune-secrets](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-rune-secrets) .] The fame of runes outshines that of any other ancient script. They can be found not just on Viking Age rune stones, but on Bilbo’s door and as the Bluetooth logo on your cell phone. Runic script is commonly associated with magic, used by modern practitioners of neopaganism, and in recent decades has captured the imagination of filmmakers and video game designers. Yet most of us know little about the historical origins of runes and have no clue how to read or use them. Come to Crooked Run Fermentation in Sterling, Va., to get schooled on runic script with the help of Lilla Kopár, a veteran scholar of runes who has earned a following among Profs and Pints fans by giving fantastic talks on medieval monsters and Norse mythology. As someone who has carried out extensive field research on runes, published several articles on runic objects, and even appeared on the History Channel commenting on runes in America, she’s exceptionally qualified to introduce you to runology and the fascinating things that runes tell us. Dr Kopár will discuss the development of runic script from its humble origins on the borders of the Roman Empire in the first or second century CE, through its popularity in the Viking world, to its use and misuse in modern times. She’ll discuss how runes are a set of related alphabets that underwent changes over time and she’ll describe what inspired changes in this writing system and where and how runes were used in the medieval period. Her richly illustrated talk will highlight some of the most intriguing objects with runic inscriptions, from humble bone fragments to impressive rune stones, and offer insight into the scholarly methods of deciphering and interpreting runic inscriptions. We’ll also look at the function of the runic script from simple practical notes and memorial inscriptions to cipher-runes and magic. The most fun might be the in-class assignment, which will involve reading a few runic inscriptions and writing your name and other words in runes. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Part of Codex runicus, a rune manuscript written on animal skin and dating to about 1300 (University of Copenhagen / Wikimedia Commons).

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Hidden Cleopatra,”** an excavation through myth and slander to uncover the real Egyptian queen, with Jacquelyn Williamson, an Egyptologist and associate professor of archaeology and ancient art at George Mason University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-hidden-cleopatra2](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-hidden-cleopatra2) .] Depictions of Cleopatra are abundant in popular culture. A long list of painters have depicted her, Marilyn Monroe and Kim Kardashian have posed as her, and Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor famously portrayed her in Hollywood films. At the end of the day, however, what most of us think we know about Cleopatra is wrong, the product of the ancient Rome’s “fake news” and anti-Egypt propaganda. Learn about the real Cleopatra—and how our understanding of her came to be so distorted—with Professor Jacquelyn Williamson, scholar of women and power in ancient Egypt, teacher of courses on ancient Egyptian art and archaeology, and author of *Nefertiti’s Sun Temple: A New Cult Complex at Tell el-Amarna.* Dr. Williamson will walk us through how the first Roman emperor, Octavian, created the distorted image of Cleopatra as seductress that we know today as part of his political scheming to defeat his rival Antony and end the Roman Republic once and for all. Cleopatra has been the subject of debate and controversy ever since. William Shakespeare later relied on ancient Roman sources such as Horace and Plutarch in writing *Antony and Cleopatra*, and his play helped give rise to countless other works offering a distorted picture of her. Professor Williamson argues that “Cleopatra was a human being, like you and I,” and “deserves the dignity of being represented as accurately as possible.” Her efforts to set the record straight have met frustration, however—after being extensively interviewed for the recent Netflix historical docuseries Queen Cleopatra, she concluded that it, too, had missed the mark. You’ll gain a much deeper appreciation of the challenges of researching and accurately depicting the ancient past from Dr. Williamson, who also has taught at Harvard, Brandeis, and the University of California at Berkeley and is involved with an ongoing archaeological investigation of Queen Nefertiti’s sun temple. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Layla Taj portrays Cleopatra VII as part of an Egyptian Cultural Performing Arts Society production. (Photo by Amos Gvili / Wikimedia Commons.)

This will be our second (and possibly last) meeting on *Nature's God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic*, by Matthew Stewart. For this meeting, please try to read chapters 4 and 6. (You can skim chapter 5, which is particularly confusing). **Where did the ideas come from that became the cornerstone of American democracy?** America’s founders intended to liberate us not just from one king but from the ghostly tyranny of supernatural religion. Drawing deeply on the study of European philosophy, Matthew Stewart brilliantly tracks the ancient, pagan, and continental ideas from which America’s revolutionaries drew their inspiration. In the writings of Spinoza, Lucretius, and other great philosophers, Stewart recovers the true meanings of “Nature’s God,” “the pursuit of happiness,” and the radical political theory with which the American experiment in self-government began. [LINK](https://a.co/d/bkTWJNb) This book is not always an easy read. You may want to make use of AI tools such as ChatGPT. You can ask it questions like: "What does Matthew Stewart say about happiness in his book Nature's God?" OR: What does Matthew Stewart say about Spinoza? This may be our last meeting on this book. If you want to have a third meeting later, on the last two chapters, let me know. I hope to see you there! Fred

Join Dr. Larrie D. Ferreiro as he discusses the American Revolutionary War as a global partnership between the United States, France, and Spain against their common adversary, Great Britain. Registration required. RSVPing on Meetup does not register you for the program. To register, please [click here](https://pwcgov.libnet.info/events?start=today&end=2030-12-31&term=va250).

**In a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.** In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** If you're hungry for good conversation and deeper community, join us for a Community Dinner in Reston and help blaze the trail to a healthier, more connected society and democracy. Here’s how it works: For just two hours, multiple tables of people set aside the need to "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by experienced table hosts, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds. **At this dinner, participants will get to choose between three different topics, including some current events.** Topics range from the political, to the "slice of life", to the spiritual, to the philosophical, to the off-the-wall - but no matter which table you choose to sit at, you can be sure it'll be like no dinner conversation you've had before! You can also **suggest a topic** by emailing us at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com. Food will be provided for free. For those who wish to provide a donation to help fund BreadBreakers, you can [give here](https://pushpay.com/g/restorationrestonumc?fnd=pO6G-N7oO7FH7Mp1u-x6mA&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl) or at the event. We'll have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any additional dietary restrictions (Celiac Disease, vegan, etc.) please let us know at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com so that we can implement the appropriate food handling procedures. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of talking with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by [Restoration United Methodist Church](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers) in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community. All faiths and all stripes are welcomed. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.

This month's selection is "Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History"! If you're new, welcome! Don't worry if you can't finish or don't like the book, we're here for good casual conversation...

Members of the public are invited to view the wonders of the universe through the telescopes of NOVAC volunteers at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. You do not need to be a member of the club or own any astronomical equipment to attend. Telescopes will be provided by the Smithsonian and pre-approved members of the NOVAC. No other personal telescopes are permitted at the event. The event will take place on the bus parking lot of the museum. **Please park your vehicle at the south end of the main visitors lot and follow signs and red lights to the observing site. As a reminder, parking during the event is free.** Have a cosmic question? One of NOVAC's astronomers or museum staff will be happy to help you. As the sky gets dark, be prepared to enjoy the wonders of the night sky! Don't forget to dress warmly. Please check the weather forecast. For lighting, cover a flashlight in red cellophane (the darker the better). Bring along water to keep hydrated. Note: This outdoor event is weather-dependent and may be cancelled because of significant cloud cover or precipitation.