Green Peace for sale at Berlin's Carneval of Cultures ...

It's easy to be cynical about multiculturalism. With benetton, Ford and many others all using people of different colour in ads to increase their global appeal; with lived cultures - not least through mass tourism - often being reduced to charicatures of themselves, it is easy (may be all too easy) to dismiss multi-ethnic cultural events as mere folklore without depth. For sure, at Berlin's mutlicultural festival, the Carneval of Cultures, you are more likely to drink Chinese beer than to discuss Chinese politics. Still, the Carneval is wonderful. Berlin, at first sight, looks 'white', especially compared to London, Paris or New York. But that there are vibrant African, Asian - as well as the better known Turkish and Kurdish - minorities in Berlin is something that's made visible by the Carneval each year. And, as the organizers claim, the Carneval provides a 'framework for multicultural initiatives' all year round. That, more than the colourful parade each year, is it's real value. - Plus, at the Carneval, every year, I gain some fun impressions. This year, I only managed a quick (and very tasty) West African lunch. But I still got a laugh out of the possibility, at the stall next door, of eating The Green Peace. For just 5 EUR, that sure would have been a bargain ...