Ukrainian Culture

Hei! Vineri, 16 ianuarie, punem la cale o nouă întâlnire! Dacă ești nou/ă: ne adunăm cam o dată pe lună la o bere și o poveste, să mai povestim, să schimbăm idei și să cunoaștem oameni noi din Berlin. O săptămână faină!

Unser internationales Sprachcafé richtet sich an Alt- und Neu-Berliner\*innen, Reisende und Anwohner\*innen - alle sind willkommen! Bei heißem Tee und Kaffee und frischen Waffeln könnt ihr mit Menschen aus aller Welt ins Gespräch kommen. Um das Eis zu brechen, haben wir verschiedene Spieleinheiten vorbereitet - wie zum Beispiel ein Kennlern-Bingo, Impro-Theater-Übungen und ein kleines Berlin-Quiz. Selbstverständlich ist die Teilnahme an den Spielen freiwillig und ihr könnt euch gerne einfach gemütlich unterhalten. Wir möchten vor allem Sprachstudierende ermutigen teilzunehmen, und Berlin in diesem Rahmen aus verschiedenen Perspektiven kennenzulernen, persönliche Kontakte zu knüpfen und in das kulturelle Kiezleben der Stadt einzutauchen. Teilnahme auf Spendenbasis

[*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.

A supportive and welcoming space to connect with other FLINTA (women, lesbian, non-binary, trans, agender) music producers in Berlin. This event is **exclusively for FLINTA** people. Join us: **Friday, January 16** **17–19:00** **House of Music (343 Labs, 2nd floor)** This event is open to anyone who identifies as a **Woman, Lesbian, Inter, Non-binary, Trans, or Agender person** and is looking for a creative space to exchange ideas, receive feedback, or simply listen and feel inspired. **What to expect:** ▸ Share your song ▸ Give constructive feedback ▸ Connect with other music producers ▸ A gentle and supportive space open to every skill level **Keep in mind:** ‣ We kindly ask everyone to **arrive on time** so we can create and maintain a comfortable space for the group ‣ Please bring your song as a link that does not require downloads

Singen macht nicht nur Freude, es hat auch positive Effekte auf das körperliche und seelische Wohlbefinden. Ich lade Euch ein, zusammen zur Gitarre einfache Lieder zu singen – frei von Erwartungen oder Bewertungen. Wir treffen uns nicht, um zu üben, um besser zu werden oder um zu lernen. Wir lassen einfach gemeinsam unsere Stimmen erklingen, so wie sie sind. Jede Stimme ist willkommen. Wenn Du Lust hast, bringe auch gern ein Instrument mit! Vielleicht glaubst Du, nicht singen zu können. Ich bin davon überzeugt, dass alle Menschen singen können. Zum Singen geboren werden. Trau Dich. Probiere es aus. Teilnahme auf Spendenbasis. Ohne Anmeldung Ich freue mich auf Euch!

📚 Slow Dating for Book-Loving Men | January 16th, 7-9 PM Tired of swiping? Ready for real connections? Join us for an evening designed for single MSM who love books and meaningful conversation. Through carefully curated activities, you'll meet like-minded guys in a relaxed, intimate setting—no rush, no pressure, just genuine connection over shared passions. Whether you're into fiction, non-fiction, or anything in between, this is your chance to find someone who gets excited about the same stories you do. When: January 16, 2026 | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Who: Single MSM with a love for reading
Price: €13 (early bird) | €15 (at the door) Reserve your spot: Email hi@metisbooksandcafe.de Space is limited—book your place early and save €2!

Acrylic portraits & live storytelling. **About this event** In this workshop, three storytellers will pose and share their stories while the rest of the participants create painted portraits of them. Each pose lasts 20 minutes, giving you time to capture their essence on canvas. We’ll be painting with acrylics using table easels provided at the venue. Basic materials such as acrylic paints, hard painting paper, and easels are included in your normal painting spot ticket. Small canvases will be available for purchase (ranging from 3€ to 9€), or you can bring your own art supplies. This workshop is perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike who want to explore or refine their portrait painting process. The session is hosted by visual artist [Miltos Despoudis](https://miltosdespoudis.gr/). **Who will tell the stories?** Three attendees will be selected to pose and share any story they like during the session. If you’d like to be one of the storytellers, simply send us a message or comment on the event page. You do not have be one of the storytellers. **Bonus:** Storytellers get their painting ticket refunded, they participate for free! **How much does it cost?** **20€** per **normal** **painting spot** ticket\*. **12€** per **painting spot** **without art materials** ticket. \*Within the **normal painting spot** ticket reservation are included the acrylic colors, hard papers for painting and easels. Canvases range from 3 to 9 Euros. Storytellers do not pay the painting spot ticket! **How do I subscribe?** Reserve your spot online and pay at the event. Please confirm your attendance so we can prepare the necessary art supplies. **What do I need?** You’re welcome to bring your own art supplies. Keep in mind that working with paints can get messy. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little color on. **Refund Policy** Refunds are available on a case-by-case basis, up to one day before the event.

Oden (japanisch おでん) ist ein beliebtes japanisches Streetfood-Gericht, das man gern besonders in Winter essen. Mehrere Zutaten, wie Ei, Winterrettich, Konnyaku und Wurst, werden in einer Dashi Brühe zusammen gekocht. Oden ist ganz traditionell und wird von den Japanern seit über hundert Jahren geliebt. Wir servieren Sake, die zu Oden passen. Lassen Sie uns dieses besondere Essen gemeinsam genießen! Teilnahmegebühr: 20 Euro (mit Getränken:Sake, Apfelsaft, Tee etc.) Oden (おでん) is a popular Japanese street-food that is particularly popular in winter. Several ingredients are cooked together in a dashi broth. The selection of ingredients can vary; egg, winter radish, konnyaku and meat, etc. Oden is very traditional and has been loved for over a hundred years in Japan. We serve also sake that go well with oden. Let's enjoy this special meal together! Event Fee: 20 euros (with drinks: sake, apple juice, tea etc.) 久しぶりのおでんパーティー！皆でおでんをつつきながらステキな時間を過ごせれたらと思っております。日本酒も少し準備していますので是非お気軽にご参加ください！材料に魚や肉を含みます。 参加費 20 € (飲み物込み:日本酒、リンゴジュース、お茶など）

This is a 3 phase meetup. You can come at any time. 1.) 6:30 -7:00 p.m.: Gathering at the meeting spot (see gmaps link!) 2.) 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.: Walk & Talk to the Kerb food court. 3.) 7:30 - 10:00 p.m.: Immerse conversations in the Kerb food court. 🪑: Reserved tables for the meetup. 💸: 20 % discount for the drinks if we are at least 15 people! **1.) How to the find Quartier 205 Stadtmitte:** [https://goo.gl/maps/6Fhft3LbPhcEsQrdA](https://goo.gl/maps/6Fhft3LbPhcEsQrdA) The exact meeting spot can be seen in the photo below! We meet on the 1st floor where the trash sculpture can be seen. Look for a meetup sign or organizer wearing a black or red lanyard with "staff" written on it. **2.) Walk & Talk to the Kerb food court** The best part. In order to extend the walk we'll stroll all the way to Brandenburger gate and from there to the former Sony Center where we are going to enter the Kerb food court. **3\. How to find the Kerb food court** [https://maps.app.goo.gl/xJTQg9oBoGL67syz7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xJTQg9oBoGL67syz7) Kerb is located at the former Sony Center. The new flagship food court of Potsdamer Platz. Most likely we will be sitting upstairs on the first floor next to the bar (take the stairs to the left). ***Best ways to get there:*** 1\. U2 \(subway\): Get off at Potsdamer Platz and walk around 7 min to Kerb. 2\. Bus M41 or M85 Get off at Potsdamer Platz and walk 5 min to Kerb. *Who is this meetup for:* 1\. Asians who want to practice German and/or English\. 2\. German speaking individuals who are studying \(preferably\) Japanese\, Korean\, Mandarin or Cantonese\. 3\. Anyone who is interested in cultural exchange and wants to socialize\. *What you can expect:* 1\. A professionally organized meetup that can adapt to any changes given the current situation\. 2\. A collaborating venue where you can further socialize with other members\. *important: This event is held at the same time and meeting location like the "Networking & Language Exchange - 🍖international🍻" one. So I'm basically organizing 2 events at the same time which means that you can expect way more people than on the list.* *** Whenever you attend a meetup, the most common as well as first question you get is: "Where are you from?" You probably heard this question a million times. Well, at least I did. From my own experience of attending over 200 international meetups in various countries such as Germany, Japan, Australia and Thailand, I can tell you that asking for the name is a better approach. “A person’s name is to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language.” - Dale Carnegie If you really want to connect with like-minded people you should remember their name, but you don't have to remember every persons name you've talked you. Be picky about that, don't be me who can somehow remember everyones name easily. Don't tell yourself sth. like "I'm bad at remembering names." It's all about developing the habit of asking for a name and keep the conversation going on. Furthermore, you want to learn German or any other language. Learning the local language is crucial to connect with the locals and developing a true friendship. This can be accomplished with immersion. My goal is to inspire you to go out of your comfort zone and improve yourself each time you join this meetup.

Um Harmonie zu erlangen arbeiten Sie mit Ihrem Herzen, anstatt mit Ihrem Gehirn. Hallo hoch geschätzte Wanderlustige und Freunde der deutschen und englischen Sprachen, haben Sie ein frohes Weihnachten gehabt? ZEIT (SPAZIERGANG) \~2 Stunden, (Mit Pausen), wenn wir mit einer Geschwindigkeit von etwa 2,5 Meilen pro Stunde laufen. ZEIT (VERANSTALTUNG) \~2,5 - 3 Stunden. Wir begrüßen uns um 14 Uhr bei Oslo Kaffebar, Eichendorffstraße 13, 10115. Wir unterhalten uns auf Deutsch und Englisch für eine halbe Stunde bis eine Stunde damit jedes Mitglied ohne Hetze ankommen dürfte. Männer, bitte kaufen Sie Kuchen oder Ähnliches damit die Gruppe wie keine geizige Gruppe zu sein anscheint. Heute beschreibe ich nur den Begrüßungsplatz, seit man immer sehr fleißig sein muss, über einen ganzen Wanderweg jedes Mal zu schreiben. Also, wir begrüßen uns, und den Wanderweg empfehle ich, und es kann sein, dass wir den Weg gleich zusammen bestimmen. Poetry & Puls setzt sich den Zweck den Armut betroffenen Personen durch die kalte Jahreszeiten zu helfen. Sozialhilfe in Verbindung mit Sprachtraining ist unser Zweck. Wir sind begeistert Leuten, die wenig platt gewesen sind, bei Spaziergängen zu begleiten. Leute, die aus unbelebten Dörfer stammen, oder neben der Eisenbahn wohnen, können sich manchmal fühlen wie die Großstadt sehr lärmig sein kann, und wie durch den Lärm und Kälte des Winters den Atem eventuell erstickt werden könnte. Durch die kälteste Zeiten ist es am Wichtigsten, dass wir für unsere Beweglichkeit sorgen. Wenn wir wenig platt gewesen sind, sollen wir eine Ruhepause von zu viel Spaß bei YouTube oder soziale Medien haben um Schwung zu erhalten. Um Harmonie zu erlangen arbeiten Sie mit Ihrem Herzen, anstatt mit Ihrem Gehirn. Wir sollen erst unsere Wohnungen für wenige Stunden einfach verräumen um unsere Körper zu betätigen. Dann kommen wir durch die kalten Zeiten. Spaziergänge sind immer schön, und etwas in der Natur der Stadt und in den Parks wirkt, also keiner Spaziergang ist gleich zu einem Anderen. Wir sollen denn die Bäume der Stadt schätzen. Es gibt immer etwas neues zu bewundern, egal ob den Pfad gleich ist. Die Stadt kann lärmig sein, jedoch gibt es sonnige Tage den ganzen Winter durch. Wir müssen nur Dankbarkeit für die gute Tage haben Auftakt zu erhalten. Wenn Sie auch so eine soziale Sorgfalt für Armut betroffene Leute haben, bitten wir Sie unsere Gruppe zu fördern. Uns zu fördern müssen Sie nur Mitglied bei einem Spaziergang sein, und gleich zusammen Fröhlichkeit mit uns haben. „Fröhlichkeit ist nur echt, wenn wir sie gleich anwesend zusammen haben.“ - Christopher McCandless (Into The Wild) Bitte nehmen Sie Kommunikation mit uns durch die Signal Gruppe auf: [https://signal.group/#CjQKIBTrh2sYFm3OGDi4r40tkgKiUyVPfvcwu31zIEsEScSxEhAI7mF8oDKHqZwLobqmW73_](https://signal.group/#CjQKIBTrh2sYFm3OGDi4r40tkgKiUyVPfvcwu31zIEsEScSxEhAI7mF8oDKHqZwLobqmW73_) Auf die Gesellschaft, das Gespräch auf Deutsch und Englisch, und den Spaziergang!!! Versäumen Sie nichts! Übrigens: kleine Gruppen sind besser, denn wir die andere Mitglieder besser kennenlernen können und eine größere Möglichkeit echte Freundschaften aufzubauen haben.

### The Question of Freedom: What Does It Mean to Be Truly Free? Freedom is one of humanity’s most powerful and contested ideas. We celebrate it, fight for it, fear it, and sometimes misunderstand it. But what does freedom really mean? Is it the absence of limits, the ability to choose, or the courage to live in alignment with who we truly are? From ancient philosophy to modern society, freedom has taken many forms. For the Stoics, freedom meant inner independence — mastering one’s reactions rather than the world. For political thinkers like Rousseau or Mill, freedom was tied to rights, responsibility, and social structures. Existentialists such as Sartre pushed the idea further, claiming that we are “condemned to be free,” burdened with responsibility for our choices whether we want it or not. Spiritual traditions often point inward, suggesting that true freedom arises not from control, but from letting go. In everyday life, freedom feels paradoxical. We desire autonomy, yet we are shaped by culture, relationships, economics, technology, and expectations. More choices don’t always make us feel freer — sometimes they overwhelm us. At the same time, moments of genuine freedom often appear quietly: speaking honestly, setting boundaries, creating something meaningful, or choosing differently than before. So where does freedom actually live — in society, in choice, in mindset, or in action? In this session, we’ll explore freedom not as a slogan or ideal, but as a lived experience that unfolds between inner life and outer reality. Together, we’ll reflect on: * How have philosophers, cultures, and political systems defined freedom? * Is freedom primarily external (rights, choices) or internal (attitude, awareness)? * Can freedom exist without responsibility — or are they inseparable? * Why can too much choice feel restrictive rather than liberating? * How can we experience more freedom in daily life, even within limitations? * What does freedom mean in a world shaped by pressure, speed, and constant comparison? Join us for an open, thoughtful conversation where ideas meet personal experience — a space to question assumptions, share perspectives, and reconnect with what freedom means for *you*. 📅 **Event Details** 🗓️ Date: Saturday, 17 January 2026 ⏰ Time: 14:00 📍 Location: Hardenbergstraße 10, 10623 Berlin 📱 WhatsApp (for prep materials and directions): 👉 **[Join Group Chat](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ba8ZAaH2Yuk6FGmD3LLO7H)**

\*\*\*NUR FÜR FRAUEN\*\*\*(للنساء فقط)\*\*\*ONLY WOMEN\*\*\* Liebe Freundinnen\*, am Sonntag, den 18. Januar 2026 findet das nächste „Kochen mit Freundinnen“ statt! Diesmal kochen wir leckere Gerichte zusammen und wollen einen schönen Nachmittag gemeinsam in unserem schönen Kitchen Hub bei Über den Tellerrand verbringen. Beginn ist um 14 Uhr. Wir freuen uns auf euch! ![🧡]() Anmeldung unter: [https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xmvXdXggzd](https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xmvXdXggzd?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsr2YjXbZRZSsflVBNKxQfmI0a-oIlm1lscsql9ClQRYAkyDTgA6r4fnpV_z_aem_x_UOhzrZZOx7TQRx59BsPQ) Wann: 18.01.2026, 14:00-17:00 Uhr Wo: Roßbachstraße 6, 10829 Berlin Kochen mit Freundinnen ist Teil des Projekts Eine Prise Menschlichkeit von Über den Tellerrand und wird gefördert aus Mitteln der Deutschen Fernsehlotterie und der Heidehof Stiftung. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*ONLY FOR WOMEN\*\*\*(للنساء فقط)\*\*\*ONLY WOMEN\*\*\* Dear friends\*, the next ‘Cooking with women’ will take place on Sunday, 16th of November! This time we will cook delicious dishes together and spend a nice afternoon together at Über den Tellerrand. It starts at 2 pm. We look forward to seeing you! ![🧡]() Registration: [https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xmvXdXggzd](https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xmvXdXggzd?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrQFC-VbMg2z-80labuQeZlhUcpUlSPNg6iSMvokQAs0LTH8TfffHie6UF30_aem_oEVodACN6ydhdsNH154VSg) Where: Roßbachstraße 6, 10829 Berlin When: 18th of January, 14-17:00 o’clock Women\* Cooking is part of the project Eine Prise Menschlichkeit by Über den Tellerrand and is funded by the Deutsche Fernsehlotterie and the Heidehof Foundation

Ciao a tutti! For our event we would like to meet you at 17:00 and have a beer all together, or other drinks. The goal of our first meeting is to get to know eachother and practice Italian and German. Please don’t be afraid that your language skills might not be sufficiently good or that you are a beginner. We understand that learning languages is a difficult and long journey. We don’t tolerate discrimination. We don't tolerate any aggressive or weird attitude. This has to be a Place of Comfort zone for everyone :) Please be respectful and kind with the others! PS: you can find us on the pool table area usually, if not just ask to the bar area for the reservation on the name "Claudio" A presto, bis bald Claudio Ich hoffe dass wir bald uns sehen!

**Village Potluck** organized by the **[we are village](https://wearevillage.org/) volunteers team** for **LGBTQAI+ Friends** **Free event with [registration](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/potluck/w03-2026)** 🔵 Spending time together! With this in mind, the Village invites you to take part in this free event, have a laugh and make new friends. Just bring a dish of your choice (if possible) and we’ll eat & drink together in a relaxed atmosphere. You are also welcome to invite your friends. A casual opportunity to spend a great time together at the Village – indoors and in the garden. This event will be in German and/or English depending on participant needs. 🔵 Gemeinsam Zeit verbringen! In diesem Sinne lädt dich das Village dazu ein, an diesem kostenlosen Event teilzunehmen, zu genießen, zu lachen und neue Freundschaften zu schließen. Bring einfach etwas zu Essen deiner Wahl mit (wenn möglich) und wir essen & trinken zusammen in gemütlicher, lockerer Runde. Gerne kannst du auch deine Freunde dazu einladen – eine gute Gelegenheit zusammen eine tolle Zeit im Village zu verbringen – drinnen und im Garten. Dieses Event wird je nach Teilnehmerbedürfnissen auf Deutsch und/oder Englisch sein.

Hello group! Let's start the new year with an awesome event full of music, dances and food from all over the world. We don't need to leave the country to enjoy other cultures's traditions. I hope you can join me at this new adventure, I can't wait to meet you all and have a great time! Address: 24950 Riding Center Drive, South Riding, VA 20152

It’s a PINK PARTY!!! Come decked out in PINK!!! They’re Baaack!!!! Last time we saw HIJYNX they totally crushed it. High energy and so many amazing songs you don't normally hear. Hope you can join us! FYI: Ned's charges a cover starting at 9.

Come exchange Asian Languages that you speak! ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU WILL BE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. We will assign tables for represented languages. All languages are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular language, you would like to exchange. As you all remember well, this event used to bring out hundreds of people every week. However, it was discontinued last year for obvious reasons and we couldn't gather that many people now, because of restrictions. Hence, we are downsizing and caping the number of attendees. We have super limited spots and advance ticket purchase is required. ***AFTER THE HAPPY HOUR, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!*** HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign tables for each represented languages and will direct attendees to their respective tables accordingly. All languages are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular language, you would like to exchange. Rules to abide : 1. Event is free and 21+ (bring ID). 2. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to exchange with others as well. 3. We all are native speakers of one or two languages and be willing to help others and try to accommodate as much as possible. 4. If you don't speak the other person's required language, LEAVE THEM ALONE. 5. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion. 6. This is a face-to-face language exchange event. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting, by using the comment box or direct message. 7. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box. Since it sends notification to all attendees. If you have any questions, send a message to the organizers. Don't write in the comment box. 8. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via (info@merevents.com). 9. When you get there, we will greet you and take you to your respective group. 10. Don't be shy of your local languages. We have diplomates assigned to different countries, who would love to practice your languages. 11\. Be patient for the first 30 minutes\, up until we form your respective language group\. 12\. We will have a registration station and check you in\. You ought to have register on Meetup for a free entry\. Otherwise\, you will be subject to a cover charge\. 11. 13\. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speaker\. It is not as such to learn a language\. Beginners\, if you want to learn a language\, reach out to us \(info@merevents\.com\)\. We have a school and will arrange you a class\. 12.

Per Collective: Ooooh party people. LISTEN UP: we're doing something fun yet again. It's the only way we know how! On Friday Jan 23 Collective is holding a "Dark of Night" event at Rai's Rendezvous. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!?!?!? Come in black - your fanciest, your most emo, your most badass black leather...it ALL goes. And we're pulling a bunch of older Collective songs out of the shadows and putting them back on stage for ONE NIGHT ONLY. We can't wait to see you!

Come exchange Asian Languages that you speak! ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU WILL BE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. We will assign tables for represented languages. All languages are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular language, you would like to exchange. As you all remember well, this event used to bring out hundreds of people every week. However, it was discontinued last year for obvious reasons and we couldn't gather that many people now, because of restrictions. Hence, we are downsizing and caping the number of attendees. We have super limited spots and advance ticket purchase is required. ***AFTER THE HAPPY HOUR, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!*** HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign tables for each represented languages and will direct attendees to their respective tables accordingly. All languages are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular language, you would like to exchange. Rules to abide : 1. Event is free and 21+ (bring ID). 2. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to exchange with others as well. 3. We all are native speakers of one or two languages and be willing to help others and try to accommodate as much as possible. 4. If you don't speak the other person's required language, LEAVE THEM ALONE. 5. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion. 6. This is a face-to-face language exchange event. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting, by using the comment box or direct message. 7. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box. Since it sends notification to all attendees. If you have any questions, send a message to the organizers. Don't write in the comment box. 8. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via (info@merevents.com). 9. When you get there, we will greet you and take you to your respective group. 10. Don't be shy of your local languages. We have diplomates assigned to different countries, who would love to practice your languages. 11\. Be patient for the first 30 minutes\, up until we form your respective language group\. 12\. We will have a registration station and check you in\. You ought to have register on Meetup for a free entry\. Otherwise\, you will be subject to a cover charge\. 11. 13\. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speaker\. It is not as such to learn a language\. Beginners\, if you want to learn a language\, reach out to us \(info@merevents\.com\)\. We have a school and will arrange you a class\. 12.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Venezuela’s Future—and Ours,”** an analysis of how the Trump administration’s intervention in Venezuela will affect that nation, the U.S., and the rest of the world, with Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab at American University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future) .] On January 3rd, after a long military buildup, the United States used special forces to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence in Caracas, Venezuela to stand trial here on criminal charges. The development marked a major turning point in our relationship with Venezuela and the rest of Latin America and raised a host of complex questions, not just for Venezuelans living inside and outside that country but for American citizens and other nations of the world. Coming to the stage to break down what all of this means is Ernesto Castañeda, a scholar of Latin America who has given several excellent Profs and Pints talks on immigration policy and has given dozens of interviews to media outlets around the world in the wake of the U.S. raid. In a talk offering informed perspective on the latest news developments, Professor Castañeda will discuss various theories about why the U.S. conducted the operation to get Maduro out of Venezuela. He’s put our nation’s current plans for Venezuela into context by touching on previous U.S. military interventions in Latin America and beyond. Professor Castañeda will look at the implications of recent events for U.S. politics and U.S. citizens and what such developments tell us about the balance of power in the United States. He’ll examine the distance between decisions made by the White House and public priorities, touching on how it all relates to our immigration policies and our views about peaceful protest and democracy. He’ll consider how the Venezuela raid and our actions since have altered relations between the U.S. and other nations and provide scenarios about what the future might hold. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.