House Squatters
The okupa movement was born in Great Britain in the 1960s, but soon spread to other European cities such as Berlin. ste is linked to underground and punk culture. While in almost all over the world has been considered an illegal movement to squatting, in Germany is it legalized from the 90s, Berlin became the cradle of the same. In the city he adopted the name of Instandbesetzen, union of two words that mean renovate and occupy. Their houses one of the most important hallmarks of the city of Berlin are squatters. Although in the past five years the capital has undergone a huge transformation due to the construction of new examples of modern architecture such as the Potsdamer Platz, Berlin is still the Queen City of the squatters and the Centre of the punk movement.
In the area (especially in the Mitte district) breathes much more this cultural, political and social environment. Houses squatters be seen everywhere and it is that, after the legalization of the same, many have become centres cultural and artistic. In addition, around the movement have emerged a myriad of alternative like bars, specialized libraries, etc. spaces The roots of this culture in Berlin, that is so strong not be okupan only houses or buildings, but whole apples. There are those who live in wagons or lorries, crammed in squares or vacant lots, creating huge settlements. The districts of Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain, all to the East of Berlin, are those having more squatter settlements.
There breathes a subculture of autonomy, spontaneity and improvisation. Mitte is best known for hosting the Tacheles building, one of the most famous squatters in the world centres. Tacheles gigantic building Tacheles was built in 1907 and housed a huge shopping mall. The company went bankrupt and the years Tacheles was going to be demolished, but in February 1990, was squatted by a group of young artists from different parts of the world. What began as a simple House squat, is today one of the most famous alternative cultural centres of Berlin. Since the wall will tumble, Tacheles has managed to combine their ideals anarchists with the developing of artistic projects. The building has been declared a historical monument and incorporates exhibitions, theaters, a famous Cafe (Cafe Zapata)? ste has 30 studios in the center dedicated to painting, installation, sculpture, photography, video, engraving and graphic design. The exhibitions cover a broad spectrum of media between traditional and contemporary that conceptually represent the urban, cultural and political position of Tacheles. On the back there is a park where numerous bars have been installed and are made for outdoor concerts. Tacheles, has influenced as a center of international culture, both positive and negative. Meanwhile the creative neighborhood of Mitte has become a fashionable district. The Center has had a recognition by the public administration of Berlin and receives a series of annual subsidies to its financing. The rest of its revenue comes from the rental of artists and the benefits of the bar and cinema. Its characteristic architecture and its appearance in ruins, as well as his international artistic activity have made Tacheles in a celebrity to nationally and internationally, appearing in many travel guides.