OFFY - ENGLISCH

OFF♥

KULTUR

WOCHE

OPEN CALL

MACH MIT!

WHAT?

We're celebrating off-culture in all its facets! Vibrant, colorful, diverse, anti-capitalist, accessible, and straight from life and our guts <3 Off-culture means outside the established cultural machinery and outside the exclusive mainstream trends. Off-culture happens every day, everywhere. In people's homes, in kitchens, on the streets, in basements, in small groups, among friends, in families, in clubs, on the internet, in our minds, and everywhere people are creative without capitalist motives. Humans have a primal need for expression, play, togetherness, experimentation, for curiously discovering the world, our physical abilities, limits, and boundary experiences, for inner processes, participation, being seen, being understood, and for solidarity within a community. These primal needs have always existed and will remain as long as there are people.

From the 6th to the 12th In April 2026, we want to give space to these needs. With love, attention, creativity, social engagement, and, of course, a spirit of experimentation.

How can we spend time together,

without competition?

Without the pressure to consume?

Without financial burden?

Shamelessly and freely?

How can we organize ourselves independently, outside of major cultural and artistic venues, to give a platform to people whose talents don't fit into the agenda of cultural commissions? What kind of music isn't played in local clubs and concert halls? What other forms of expression exist that we've never even heard of?

We want to explore these and other questions during OFFKULTURWECHE (Off-Culture Week), gathering input, trying out joint activities as a group, experimenting with new things, and learning from one another. This is a call to everyone who wants to showcase something, to contribute something for which they otherwise have no stage or space! Dare to participate! Because art and culture are so much more diverse than they first appear.

Eccentrics, introverts, outsiders, special cases, nerds, aliens, researchers, curious people and colorful people are cordially invited.

WHERE?

The OFFY off-space is currently planned as the main activity space. Located in the Weyermannshaus complex in West Bern, OFFY is a 140m² multifunctional space. You can find more information and pictures under "SPACE" in the menu.

Other spaces and projects can join OFFKULTURWOCHE! The neighboring off-space and bike workshop "RADAU" has opened itself up to collaboration. More info coming soon. www.chistole.ch (Radau) Are you a space project? Could you imagine participating? Let's connect:

offy@riseup.net

WHEN?

From Monday, April 6th to and including Sunday, April 12th, 2026. The idea is that Space OFFY will be in use non-stop for 7 days, daily from morning to evening and, depending on the activity, also into the night.

WHO?

ALL CURIOUS PEOPLE ARE WARMLY INVITED TO PARTICIPATE.

Do you have a secret hobby?

Would you like to share it with others?

Are you a musician and tired of adapting to an audience you don't know?

Would you rather showcase incredibly weird, experimental music?

Do you enjoy creating experimental art or music but can't find an authentic platform for it?

Do you collect spices, buttons, proverbs, and recipes from around the world and would like to share them with an interested audience?

Have you written a poem and would like to read it aloud to others in a respectful and intimate setting?

Would you like to make your doctoral thesis accessible to others?

Do you have an important idea that you would like to discuss in a group?

Could you imagine giving a belly dancing workshop?

Do you know a particular game that you would like to play with new people? Would you like to organize and participate in a participatory, improvised theater-sound-movement-costume group performance? Do you want to experience and create vibrant, unconventional art outside of white cube galleries? Join us! Dare to!

There's no such thing as bad art if it comes from the heart! OFFKULTURWECHE is a competition-free zone.

There will be no selection process. EVERYONE who genuinely believes in the project and wants to contribute a constructive cultural activity is welcome. The selection process is essentially the requirement to read this text. That's why there will soon be an English version as well. Of course, people for whom this information is not easily accessible are also invited. If you know someone like that, please ask them personally and help them get all the necessary information and register. In case the entire week at OFFY is booked and there are no more free time and space slots, we'll simply find more spaces!

So, get in touch! ♥

To be a little more specific, here are some examples of what kinds of actions, activities, and contributions could be done at OFFY (this list is, of course, limited to our experience and imagination; if you'd like to contribute something that isn't on this list, that's no problem):

Art Exhibition

Concerts

Poetry

Variety Shows

Cabaret

Workshops/Courses

Information Sessions

Experimental Happenings

Cooking and Eating Together

Performances

Deep Listening Sessions

Crafts

Discussion Groups

Self-Help Groups

Presentations

Film Screenings

Game Nights

Theater

DIY Culture

Repair Café

Hackerspace

Jam Sessions

Fashion Show

Wrestling

Tattoos

Escape Rooms

Audio Walks

WHY?

Because it's important and because we can! To learn.

To try new things.

To showcase. To listen. To give space.

To use space. To practice self-management. To build networks. To make contacts. To meet people. To raise awareness of off-spaces and off-artists within the scene.
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HOW?

Self-organized. Free entry.

Donations welcome.

Responsible.

Free.

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REGISTRATION

You can register as an individual, a group, a collective, a fictional character, or a mythical creature ♥

Registration is via email, and Offy's email address is:

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offy@riseup.net

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If you'd like to register, please send an email with the following information, as detailed as you prefer:

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1.) Name, pseudonym, nickname, group name, collective name, and whether you'd like to be listed under this name in the public program calendar or remain anonymous.

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2.) A few sentences about yourselves, however you like, for example, how you came across OFFY and OFFKULTURWOCHE, what kind of art or activism you do, why you'd like to register, or anything else you'd like to share.

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3.) A short description of the action/activity/contribution you'd like to make to OFFKULTURWOCHE. Think of a catchy, short name for your contribution. This name will then be publicly displayed in the program calendar.

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4.) Time: On which day and from what time to what time would you like to contribute? The time slots can be rescheduled later, for example, if there might be interesting combinations with other inputs. If you are absolutely certain you can only attend on a specific day at a specific time, please indicate this in your email as: "only possible time slot." This will then be marked accordingly in the calendar, and your slot will be confirmed.

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5.) Think about what materials you will need. In our reply email, we can then tell you what materials are available at Offy and what you might need to gather. Generally speaking, almost all materials should be available for free, except for consumables such as paint, tape, food, drinks, etc.

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Do you have any suggestions, feedback, requests, or input for OFFKULTURWOCHE, or for the texts and ideas on this page? Feel free to send them by email; all emails will be read and answered carefully.

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Don't have the time or inclination to write long emails and would you simply like to drop by Offy to check out the space or discuss something? Then we can gladly arrange a day and time to meet via email, or you can simply drop by unannounced on Tuesday evenings. We host the "OPEN EXPERIMENTAL JAM" every Tuesday evening from 6 to 9 pm. You're also welcome to arrive a little earlier. Mirko is always at Offy by 5 pm at the latest, and the doors are open; everyone is welcome.
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