berlin bones is the personal journey of discovery, exploring the life around Berlin’s cemeteries and beyond. What began as a podcast has grown into a research project with lively podcast episodes, cemetery walks & talks, an exhibition, and a university research week — and there’s so much more to come.
Since the project is self-funded, please consider supporting it with a symbolic donation! Every contribution motivates the creator to continue investing countless hours in researching, recording, and editing new episodes. The project initiator is Katya Romanova, co-founder of re:imagine your city, designer, and project manager.
Send a message at berlinbones.podcast@gmail.com if you have suggestions for the topics and collaboration ideas. If you would like to receive updates on the project and new podcast episodes, join this contact list:
PODCAST
berlin bones is a podcast with stories from Berlin cemeteries told from the perspectives of urban planning, sociology, culture, ecology and religion. Most episodes are in English and occasionally in German.
While belonging to the intangible cultural heritage, cemeteries in Berlin are undergoing big transformations: they become social gathering spaces, cultural venues, and even homes to cafes and beehives, as the traditional purpose of a burial place fades away. Modern cemeteries shed light on different, often quite sensitive topics such as death, public space, remembrance, heritage, urban planning and rituals.
In this podcast, we look for stories beyond spooky and tragic narratives. Each episode features conversations with experts and enthusiasts who share their insights about the cemetery culture in Berlin and beyond.
CEMETERY WALKS & TALKS
Katya Romanova formed part of the Deadly Matters exhibition in the summer 2024 — a reflection on life in the light of death — at the Georgien-Parochial Cemetery II in Berlin-Friedrichshain. She explored farewell rituals involving food and eating by opening a pop-up café called “berlin bones” and inviting guests to join her at a long table on the cemetery’s green meadow. Read more here.