Sluggish Journey: Berlin's Progression Towards a Literary Heritage
Discover the enchanting world of Slow Travel Berlin, a unique platform that invites visitors and locals alike to immerse themselves in the heart of the city at a leisurely pace. Founded by Paul Sullivan in 2010, the project was inspired by the concept of slow travel, aiming to provide a rich, unhurried experience of Berlin's cultural and historical offerings while promoting responsible tourism practices.
Paul Sullivan, an avid literature enthusiast, was inspired to establish Slow Travel Berlin after reading Carl Honore's "In Praise of Slow" and yearning to explore his adopted city with thoughtful intention. Sullivan's personal interest in literature and knowing a place through literature is evident in the project's focus on literary coverage, including author interviews, themed book roundups, literary walks, and essays.
The early 20th century saw Berlin as a focal point for the modernist avant-garde, with literary giants such as Alfred Döblin, Walter Benjamin, Joseph Roth, Hans Fallada, and Franz Hessel gracing the city's pages. Today, Berlin's literary scene remains vibrant, with global voices like Wladimir Kaminer, Yoko Tawada, Yadé Kara, Emine Sevgi Özdamar, and writers from the Anglosphere such as Rory MacLean, Kirsty Bell, and Musa Okwonga contributing to the city's rich literary tapestry.
Slow Travel Berlin's itineraries highlight the Berlin Wall Memorial, Museum Island, and East Side Gallery, encouraging travelers to absorb the city's layered stories and artistic heritage in depth. This approach contrasts with fast-paced tourism and supports sustainable, respectful engagement with the city. In 2020, the project restarted with a crowdfunding initiative via Steady, and ongoing support for as little as €3 a month can help ensure the creation of great content about Berlin into 2025 and beyond. Since then, the project has been crowd-funded to remain ad-free.
For those captivated by the city's history and literature, following Paul Sullivan's work on the Slow Travel Berlin website or connecting with him on Instagram offers a captivating journey through the streets of Berlin. Sullivan has undertaken esoteric walks around the Ringbahn, Mauerweg, and a Benjamin-esque mission to walk every street in Berlin, further showcasing his dedication to exploring the city in a mindful, deliberate manner.
In essence, Slow Travel Berlin offers a thoughtful, immersive way to explore the city and its surroundings, emphasizing quality experiences over rapid sightseeing. By embracing slow travel's principles, visitors can deeply engage with Berlin's historical, cultural, and social narratives at a relaxed pace, minimizing the typical adverse impacts of tourism. This approach aligns with the broader philosophy of slow travel, which seeks to maximize the benefits of travel while reducing its negative effects on local populations and the environment.
- Paul Sullivan, who is fascinated by literature, founded Slow Travel Berlin in 2010, inspired by Carl Honore's "In Praise of Slow" and aiming to explore Berlin's rich cultural and historical offerings at a leisurely pace, with a focus on literary coverage.
- Slow Travel Berlin's itineraries highlight not only historical sites like the Berlin Wall Memorial and Museum Island, but also literary destinations, such as author interviews, themed book roundups, and literary walks, reflecting Paul Sullivan's personal interest in literature.
- In addition to promoting responsible tourism practices, Slow Travel Berlin also encourages visitors to delve into Berlin's vibrant contemporary literary scene, featuring global voices like Wladimir Kaminer, Yoko Tawada, and writers from the Anglosphere.
- To support the continued fabrication of great content about Berlin, engage with the Slow Travel Berlin project through their website or Instagram, following Paul Sullivan's immersive, mindful, and deliberate exploration of the city's streets, such as esoteric walks around the Ringbahn, Mauerweg, and even a Benjamin-esque mission to walk every street in Berlin.
