The Whoriental project is a deliberate provocation, a safer space, and at the same time, a meeting place. Queer and trans people often find it difficult to gain access to pop culture spaces, especially if they are BIPOC and/or involved in sex work. However, pop music is especially influenced by these groups of people, and the mainstream benefits from them. This is why Whoriental offers a platform for musicians and performers who are usually excluded from public funding and institutions. Created by the collectives AL Berlin and QueerBerg, the project shows the cultural and musical diversity of pop music, presenting emerging and established BIPOC artists who have faced discrimination in the industry. With workshops, performances, concerts, panels, drag shows, and parties, Whoriental 2023 takes place over two days in the Volksbühne’s Grüner Salon and in Säälchen. The line-up includes Blu Fiefer, Floyd Lavine, Dornika, Maque Pereyra, Martini Cherry, and Prince Emrah.
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