#berlinograd

Konstantin Dellos (32), Musician & Producer, Pankow    

This is Konstantin. Kostja is Russian-German and grew up in Severouralsk, a small town in the Northern Urals, Russia. In 2000, he moved to Germany with his family. He grew up in Hannover and lived in Toronto for a year. Growing up in Germany, and living abroad, he was always making music. „Me and my girlfriend were thinking about moving to Hamburg or Berlin,“ Konstantin remembers. About two years ago they moved to the German capital together. „I love Berlin,“ he says, and then continues „it is a mecca for creative people from all over the world." Konstantin works as a musician and producer. Since 2013 he has been working for Berlin Music Video Awards and just recently he created the soundtrack for the trailer of the German movie TheFoxDevilsWild. „My music is really hard to describe,“ Konstantin admits, and says that words like 'experimental', 'triphop electronica' and 'techno' would describe it best. “Is there anything else you would like to add?” I ask him at the end of the interview. „I would like to say ‚hi’ to my grandma," he replies.

Beatrice Grundheber (33), Russian philologist, Blogger and passionate Berlinograder, Neukölln

Hi, my name is Bea. I am German and I was born and raised in Trier, a small town close to Luxemburg. When I was a teenager I always wanted to get out and see the world so as soon as I turned 18, I moved to New York City for a year. When I came back to Germany, my Russian friends were the dearest to me which triggered my decision to start a university degree in Russian Studies and Eastern European History. A couple of years in Mainz, Frankfurt and St. Petersburg followed, until I finally decided to move to Berlin for good. “Russian culture and especially its people have always fascinated me - their sincerity, unconditional passion and their creativity in all areas of life, music and the arts,” it says on Berlinograd.com, the blog I started a year ago, as a project that was near and dear to me. It is my attempt to introduce you to all those sincere and passionate Russian-Berliners, who remind me of my friends in Petersburg and Moscow and who participate in making Berlin a little more beautiful. “What do I love most about our wonderful city?”, I ask myself, “Well, it may sound crazy but I love that doors in public transportation always open a tiny bit before the vehicle stands still.”

Bea is the founder of berlinograd.com. She has written a short story about Saint Petersburg for the Travelettes-Book by Katja Hentschel and she works for a PR agency in Berlin.

Olga Khristolyubova (24), Photographer & Fashion Designer, Kreuzberg (Kreuzkölln)

This is Olga. The photographer and fashion design student was born and raised in Tomsk, Russia and moved to Berlin about two years ago. “The first time I was in Germany was in 2008,” Olga remembers. “As a high school student I participated in a language course in Göttingen, Lower Saxony.“ Back then, the young Russian also visited the German capital for a weekend and she recalls thinking that Berlin was similar to Novosibirsk – one of the largest industrial centers of Siberia. Seven years later, Olga enjoys living in Berlin. She studies fashion design at HTW Berlin – Berlin’s largest University of Applied Sciences.  In addition to that, she takes pictures for the famous Berlin blog I heart Berlin and occasionally works as a stylist. “The city is very relaxed and free-minded,” she says. “Everyone can be who he or she wants to be,” Olga adds. "Many people come here to stay forever young and to avoid their problems – a phenomenon that can be really great but dangerous too."

Jimmy Magsevi, Singer, Mitte

This is Jimmy. Jimmy was born and raised in Siberia and moved to San Francisco in his 20s. For the past 17 years he has been living between Switzerland, Austria and San Francisco until he finally decided to come to Berlin in order to join the Berlin State Opera as a tenor in 2001. “I love Berlin,” he says. “I love the multicultural experiences in the city and that Berlin is very safe.” Besides his work at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin as a tenor, he is currently working on a couple of projects: He composes and sings Artpop songs, love songs as well as "funny and friendly Russian punk rock," how Jimmy puts it himself. In addition to that, he performs with different singers, groups and/or orchestras at gala events. His websites states that the singer is a master in transforming musical styles and genres, new countries and cities, into his own musical interpretation. But I am much more intrigued by the fact that in Berlin he enjoys traveling by public transportation. According to Jimmy, it is the best way to get anywhere in our wonderful city.

Farida Gaynullina (30), Blogger & Writer, Mitte

Mark Gritsenko (26), Musician, Lichtenberg

Meet Mark. Mark was born in Odessa, Ukraine and moved to Kiev when he was eight years old. This is where he grew up and started his career as a musician. "I've been making music since I was ten years old. When I graduated from high school I realized that I want to do music professionally." As a result Mark founded his band Marakesh and released his first record. They became very successful especially in Russia. "It was an amazing time," he remembers. "We were touring Eastern and Western Europe playing together with Placebo as an opening act. Lots of my dreams came true!" Two years ago Mark moved to Germany with his girlfriend Daria. "I grew up and I wanted to invent myself new." As a result, he and his girlfirend started their band Four Phonica. They play Alternative Rock & Electronic Music and they are well-known for #songblitz – a project where 350 fans contributed samples, melodies, videos and vocals in order to perform a song with them together. "What really fascinates me about Berlin is how people behave in the city," Mark answers my question about what he likes best about his new home. "I love how Berliners interact with each other," he continues. "Without the need of a bigger force who dictates this behavior the city is charged with peacefulness, friendliness and optimism. Berlin is a very self-conscious city."

Dominik Heilig (40), Art Director and Illustrator, Kreuzberg