SKATEISTAN – TINY TOONES – TINY DROPS
Part of the cultural program of the Asia-Pacific Weeks Berlin

STREET CULTURES like skateboarding, breakdancing and street art have the fascinating potential to bring people of different backgrounds together, bridging the gap between their social and cultural differences, and thus creating an opportunity for exchange and cooperation. Hip Hop, skateboarding, and BMX are no longer only part of western culture, but have become global phenomena that are growing especially quickly in Asia. As a result, the number of projects and initiatives that use street cultures as a tool in international development work is growing steadily.

Many of the people that are involved with these activities have recognized that sport and creative programs can be connected to "Empowerment" and education in a very sensible way. This includes initiatives like "Back to School" programs that focus on traditional forms of education, as well as more experimental forms of education that are largely creative arts based and focus on socially inclined topics, i.e. local communities are being empowered about topics like environment, health, diet, and racism.

The networks of these various street cultures work in an informal way to overcome language and cultural barriers, as these activities have their own language and culture. For example, skateboarders speak to each other in a certain way about the sport that is universal, a kickflip is always a kickflip, and street art has its own codes and symbols. Consequently, heritage, religion, skin color, or social status are pushed into the background. Through street cultures intercultural bridges are being built, which can be used to reduce prejudice and promote conflict resolution.

The event introduces projects from Cambodia, Afghanistan, China and India, that are using new and innovative methods in the field of social development, with their own strategies and models.
The exhibition will be accompanied by films, workshops, skype-conferences, fundraising events and a music program under the umbrella of the Berlin Music Week.

Find more at www.streetcultures.org