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There's More Art in a Swiss Warehouse Than in the Louvre. Here's Why That Matters.
1.2 million works worth around $100 billion. All locked away by collectors with no intention of exhibiting them. More art sits in the Geneva Freeport than in the Louvre.
The reason? It's the world's largest tax-free vault. Works are traded inside without ever crossing a border or appearing in any public record.
When that much inventory is effectively off the table, anytime something does circulate, it’s a rare occasion.
Just a three hour drive away, the world’s premier international art fair is one of those occasions. Art Basel is this month and needless to say, things will move fast. Serious collectors will make their transactions before doors even open to the wider public.
Masterworks' acquisition committee — former specialists from Sotheby's and Christie's — operate in that window. Purchased artworks here can even become the offerings that Masterworks members fractionally invest in.
Their track record to-date?
$1.3B deployed across 530+ artworks featuring Banksy, Basquiat, Picasso, and Warhol
29 sales to date
Net annualized returns like 16.5%, 17.6%, and 17.8%, not including those unsold*
Investing involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.
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☀️ Heat Warning
Today peaks near 40°C, one of the hottest days Berlin has seen this year. Do everything early in the morning or after 18:00; carry water; find shade from 13:00 to 17:00; and check on older neighbours. Cooler with thunderstorms from Monday.
✍️ From the Editor
Hey Berliners!
Quick honesty: last Sunday's issue didn't make it out – I was travelling. So here it is today, rebuilt for the weekend actually in front of you.
Two stories own this issue:
First, a brutal ~40°C heat wave – the most important practical thing I can send you.
Second, Germany topped their World Cup group despite a 2–1 loss to Ecuador, and the knockout round of 32 begins today, with Germany playing tomorrow night.
And the Kreuzberg Festival's final day is today. Stay cool out there – literally.
— Dr Yassir A Shuaib
🙌 Referral and Shoutout
No shoutout this week; be the first in next week's issue. Refer three friends and you're in the next issue.
Want a shoutout? Here's how it works:
Referrals | What you get |
|---|---|
3 friends | Shoutout in the next issue |
4–9 friends | Shoutout + your photo published |
10+ friends | Shoutout + photo + €20 coupon |
Forward this email to someone who lives in Berlin or friends anywhere in Germany who want direct links to the best deals. If they subscribe, it counts.
🌡️ SPECIAL: Surviving 40°C in Berlin
This is the weekend's real headline — dangerous heat, not just 'warm'. The plan:
🏊 Go to a lake
Free and the coolest options include Schlachtensee (S1), Weißensee, Plötzensee, Tegeler See, all have free shores. Arrive before 10:00. 🔗 All Berlin swimming spots
💧 Free drinking water
Berlin's Trinkbrunnen are switched on for summer. Ask any café for tap water too. 🔗 Find a Trinkbrunnen
❄️ Free AC
Bücherfest tents at Bebelplatz, Neue Nationalgalerie (Brancusi show), any large shopping centre. 🔗 Brancusi — Neue Nationalgalerie
⏰ Time everything
Outdoors before noon or after 18:00. Avoid 13:00–17:00 in direct sun.
❤️ Check on older neighbours and anyone without a fan — this heat is a real health risk.
💰 Best Deals in Germany this Week
Prime Day ended, but the World Cup TV deals at MediaMarkt and Saturn are still running. A quick rule before you buy anything: check the live price on idealo first. Prices move daily.
📺 TVs — built for the World Cup
LG OLED 55" C5 — ~€899 (with LG cashback)
The one to get if you want a proper match-day TV. 4K, 120Hz, and Dolby Vision, and the panel reviewers keep ranking it top of its class. The €100 cashback comes after purchase. 🔗 Browse at MediaMarkt
Samsung 77" S90F OLED — ~€1,777
If you want the big-room cinema feel, this is the World Cup-season price to jump on. 77 inches is a lot of football. 🔗 Browse at MediaMarkt
⌚ Smartwatch
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) — from ~€125
A strong everyday smartwatch at its lowest price yet. Samsung is also knocking €40 off in the cart until 8 July, so check there before the comparison sites. 🔗 Compare all prices
💨 Beat the heat
With ~40°C this weekend, a fan or air purifier is the most useful thing you can buy today — and they're well priced right now.
Dyson / Philips fans & air purifiers
🔗 Browse air purifiers · 🔗 Browse fans
Dyson Airwrap — ~€449
Dyson's Power Deals are live, and this is the best current price. Check the end date before you buy — Dyson promos move fast. 🔗 Browse at MediaMarkt
💅 Beauty
Rossmann + dm
Both run their weekly skincare and haircare promos — worth a two-minute scan if you're restocking. 🔗 Rossmann offers · 🔗 dm offers
👧 Kids & Family
Apple iPad 11 — ~€379
The best-value iPad for school and play — and a lifesaver for keeping kids busy indoors through the midday heat. 🔗 Browse at MediaMarkt
Dreame L10s robot vacuum — ~€399
A solid mid-range robot vacuum at a fair price – it does the floors while you do anything else. 🔗 Browse at MediaMarkt
✈️ Flights
Summer getaways — July is filling fast, so book before prices climb further.
🔗 Best flight deals on mydealz
🌤️ Weather
⚠️ Heat alert – Sunday 28 June: extreme heat, storms possible
Sunday 28 June: ~40°C. Extreme heat and high humidity. Severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail and strong gusts possible in the afternoon/evening. Stay indoors 13:00–17:00, drink water, and check on neighbours.
Monday 29 June: ~29–32°C. Cooler, but thunderstorms likely – watch for storms before the Germany game in the evening.
Tuesday 30 June – Wednesday 1 July: Cooling to 23–28°C with mixed sun and showers. Comfortable again.
📰 City News
⚽ Germany top Group E — the hard way
A shock 2–1 loss to Ecuador on Thursday (Sané scored inside two minutes, then it slipped away) still wasn't enough to knock them off top spot. They go into the knockouts as group winners. Full recap in Sport.
🏆 Knockouts start today
The World Cup's Round of 32 begins today and runs to Friday, 3 July — win-or-go-home football from here. Germany play their first knockout match tomorrow, Mon., 29 June. 🔗 Full schedule here
🎪 Kreuzberg Festival — final day, free
The city's big street festival wraps today: three stages, 100+ stalls and street food across Viktoriapark. Catch it before it's gone — full guide in Berlin Picks.
📍 U6/U7 Mehringdamm
🍽️ Restaurant Week — ends today
Your last chance to grab a multi-course set menu at fixed prices across the city's restaurants. 🔗 Book here
🏛️ Schloss Bellevue — open days end today
The final day to step inside the President's official residence, free of charge.
🚇 BVG heat note
Trains and platforms get brutally hot in this weather — carry water, and don't rely on aircon. AB/ABC zones only. 🔗 Live traffic here
📍 Berlin Picks
🎶 Kreuzberg Festival — final day · 12:00–20:00 · Free ⭐
Today is the last day of one of Berlin's best free summer street parties. Three stages of open-air music — techno, hip-hop and world — plus 100+ stalls and street food spread across Viktoriapark. One tip: buy your drinks at the festival bars rather than bringing your own. That's what keeps the whole thing free year after year.
📍 Kreuzbergstraße / Viktoriapark — U6/U7 Mehringdamm
🔗 More info here
📚 Berliner Bücherfest — today · Free
Bebelplatz turns into a giant open-air bookshop for the day: 100+ publishers and bookshops, live readings on three stages, and shaded reading islands where you can sit with a new find and get out of the sun. A calm, bookish counterpoint to the festival crowds.
📍 Bebelplatz, Mitte — S+U Friedrichstraße
🔗 More info here
🏛️ Tag der Architektur — today · Free
Once a year, 80+ recently finished buildings and architecture offices across Berlin open their doors to anyone curious to look inside. It's a rare chance to see spaces normally closed to the public. In this heat, don't try to do it all — pick one district and keep your route short.
📍 Citywide
🔗 More info here
🎸 Foo Fighters + IDLES + Fat Dog — Wed 1 July · Olympiastadion
One for later in the week, once the heat breaks: a full stadium rock night with two strong support acts before the Foos headline. Ticketed — grab seats early if you want in.
📍 Olympiastadion — U2/S Olympiastadion
🔗 Tickets here
📍 Special Event of the Week
⚽ Germany's Round of 32 — Monday 29 June · 22:30
Germany's first knockout match. Win or go home. Best atmosphere: beer gardens and indoor screens in Friedrichshain (Revaler Str.), Neukölln and Kreuzberg — arrive 30 min early. Note: Olympiastadion won't show it (Bruno Mars is on).
Events Calendar
SUNDAY 28 JUNE (today)
🎶 Kreuzberg Festival – final day · 12:00–20:00 · Free
Three stages, 100+ stalls, street food. See Berlin Picks.
📍 Kreuzbergstraße / Viktoriapark – U6/U7 Mehringdamm
🎤 Bruno Mars – The Romantic Tour · 18:00
Doors 16:00.
📍 Olympiastadion – U2/S Olympiastadion
🔗 More info here
📚 Berliner Bücherfest – Day 2 · 10:00–20:00 · Free
See Berlin Picks.
📍 Bebelplatz, Mitte – S+U Friedrichstraße
🛒 Flohmarkt Mauerpark · From 10:00 · Free
Vinyl, vintage, handmade; Bearpit Karaoke from 15:00. Go early.
📍 Bernauer Str. 63–64 – U8 Bernauer Str.
🔗 More info here
MONDAY 29 JUNE
🎤 Bruno Mars – The Romantic Tour · 18:00
Doors 16:00. ⚠️ Germany's 22:30 CEST match will not be shown at Olympiastadion.
📍 Olympiastadion – U2/S Olympiastadion
🔗 More info here
⚽ Germany vs Paraguay · 22:30 CEST ⭐
Knockout opener.
🔗 More info here
TUESDAY 30 JUNE
🎸 Pixies – P40 Celebrating 40 Years · 19:00
📍 Zitadelle Spandau – U7 Zitadelle
🔗 More info here · 🔗 Tickets on Eventim
🎵 Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds · 19:30
📍 Waldbühne – S Pichelsberg
🔗 More info here
🌿 Türkenmarkt · 11:00–18:30 · Free
📍 Maybachufer, Neukölln – U8 Schönleinstraße
🔗 More info here
🗣️ German-English Language Exchange · 19:00 · Free
Travolta Bar, Kreuzberg. See Community Fun.
📍 Wiener Str. 14b – U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof
WEDNESDAY 1 JULY
🎸 Foo Fighters + IDLES + Fat Dog · 16:45
Take Cover Tour 2026.
📍 Olympiastadion – U2/S Olympiastadion
🔗 More info here
THURSDAY 2 JULY
🍜 Street Food Thursday · 17:00–22:00 · Free entry
30+ vendors in a 19th‑century market hall.
📍 Markthalle Neun, Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, Kreuzberg – U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof
🔗 More info here
FRIDAY 3 JULY
🌿 Türkenmarkt · 11:00–18:30 · Free
📍 Maybachufer, Neukölln – U8 Schönleinstraße
🔗 More info here
FRIDAY 3 – SUNDAY 5 JULY
🎻 Konzerthausorchester – Schumann's 2nd
Vito Žuraj's cello concerto premiere + Schumann. Ticketed.
📍 Konzerthaus, Gendarmenmarkt – U2/U6 Stadtmitte
🔗 More info here
🎬 Film
🎨 Chanel Commission: Lina Lapelytė – until 10 January 2027
Lina Lapelytė transforms the Historic Hall of Hamburger Bahnhof into a polyphonic stage where visitors take part in collective construction and singing. Free admission.
📍 Invalidenstraße 50–51, Mitte – U Naturkundemuseum / S Hauptbahnhof
🔗 Chanel Commission
🎭 Performances
🎪 Cirque du Soleil ALIZÉ – Theater am Potsdamer Platz
Europe's first permanent Cirque show. Air-conditioned – a smart heat option. No shows Mon–Tue. Wed (18:30) · Thu (19:30) · Fri–Sat (16:00 + 20:00) · Sun (13:00 + 17:00).
📍 Marlene‑Dietrich‑Platz 1, Tiergarten – S+U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 More info here
🎵 Music
🎤 Bruno Mars – The Romantic Tour · Sun 28 + Mon 29 June · 18:00
Two nights at Olympiastadion. Sold out – check resale.
📍 Olympischer Platz 3 – U2/S Olympiastadion
🔗 More info here
🎸 Pixies – P40 Celebrating 40 Years · Tue 30 June · 19:00
📍 Zitadelle Spandau – U7 Zitadelle
🔗 More info here
🎵 Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds · Tue 30 June · 19:30 · Waldbühne
📍 Glockenturmstraße 1 – S Pichelsberg
🔗 More info here
🎸 Foo Fighters + IDLES + Fat Dog · Wed 1 July · 16:45 · Olympiastadion
Take Cover Tour 2026.
📍 Olympischer Platz 3 – U2/S Olympiastadion
🔗 More info here
🎵 Berghain – Sat 5 July · Klubnacht from 23:59
The lineup is published on Thu on berghain.berlin.
📍 Am Wriezener Bahnhof, Friedrichshain – S Ostbahnhof
🔗 More info here
🔄 Ongoing
🏛️ Brancusi – Neue Nationalgalerie · until 9 August · €14
150+ sculptures from Centre Pompidou. Air-conditioned — a cool escape today. Tue–Sun, Thu to 20:00.
📍 S+U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 More info here
🖼️ Cassirer and the Breakthrough of Impressionism · until 27 September · €16/€8
100+ Impressionist works. Alte Nationalgalerie.
📍 S+U Hackescher Markt
🔗 More info here
🎨 Marina Abramović: Balkan Erotic Epic – Gropius Bau · until 23 August · €15
Film, sculpture, performance. ⚠️ Explicit content. Closed Tuesday.
Mon + Wed–Fri 12:00–19:00 · Sat–Sun 10:00–19:00.
📍 S+U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 More info here
🎪 Luftschloss – Tempelhofer Feld · until 13 September · Ticketed
Open‑air theatre and concerts.
📍 Tempelhofer Feld West
🔗 More info here
🛖 Markets this Week
🌿 Türkenmarkt – Tue 30 + Fri 3 July · 11:00–18:30 · Free
Fresh produce, Turkish and Middle Eastern food. Cash preferred; prices drop after 17:30.
📍 Maybachufer, Neukölln – U8 Schönleinstraße
🔗 More info here
🍜 Street Food Thursday – Thu 2 July · 17:00–22:00 · Free entry
30+ vendors in a 19th‑century market hall.
📍 Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, Kreuzberg – U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof
🔗 More info here
🛒 Flohmarkt Mauerpark – today · From 10:00 · Free
See Shopping Pick.
🛒 Nowkoelln Flowmarkt – Sun 4 July · 10:00–17:00 · Free
Alternating Sundays
📍 Maybachufer, Neukölln – U8 Schönleinstraße
🔗 More info here
⚽ Sport
Group stage recap:
14 Jun: Germany 7–1 Curaçao (Houston) – statement opener.
20 Jun: Germany 2–1 Côte d'Ivoire (Toronto) – sealed top spot.
25 Jun: Ecuador 2–1 Germany (New Jersey) – Sané scored inside 2 minutes; Angulo and Plata replied.
Final Group E: Germany 1st (6 pts, +6) · Côte d'Ivoire: 2nd · Ecuador 3rd (best third‑place) · Curaçao out.
⭐ Germany in the Round of 32 – TOMORROW NIGHT
Germany vs Paraguay · Mon 29 June · 22:30 CEST · Gillette Stadium, Foxborough. Win and they're in the Round of 16.
The round of 32 runs Sun 28 June – Fri 3 July. Full bracket on FIFA.com.
🔗 More info here
🍺 Where to watch Germany (22:30 CEST Monday): Beer gardens and indoor bar screens in Friedrichshain (Revaler Str.), Neukölln and Kreuzberg. Arrive 30 min early. Note: Olympiastadion will NOT show the Germany game on Monday (Bruno Mars concert).
🏃 Parkrun Hasenheide – Sat 4 July · 09:00 · Free
Free timed 5km; register once. Go for the cooler morning.
📍 Volkspark Hasenheide, Columbiadamm 160 – U8 Boddinstraße
🔗 More info here
😂 Comedy in English
😂 Laughing Spree – boat comedy · ~€12–15
Hosted by Chris Doering; free shot on entry. Check this week’s date on Berlin.de.
📍 Mühlenstraße 73, Friedrichshain – S+U Warschauer Str.
🔗 More info here
😂 Meanwhile in Berlin – English stand-up · from €18
The showcase at SaliGari Bars sells out, book early.
📍 Simplonstraße 23, Friedrichshain – S+U Warschauer Str.
🔗 More info here
🤝 Community Fun
🗣️ German-English Language Exchange – every Tuesday · 19:00 · Free
Weekly language swap at Travolta Bar in Kreuzberg (since 2008). Separate tables for English and German, no registration needed.
📍 Wiener Str. 14b, Kreuzberg – U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof
🔗 More info here
🌍 InterNations Berlin – events this week
The largest expat community in Berlin. Check their website for current socials, brunches and meetups.
🔗 More info here
👨👩👧 Family Picks
🏊 Beat the heat at a lake
With ~40°C today, head to a shaded lakeside. Schlachtensee (S1) has a gentle shallow entry and a walkable shore. Go before 11:00, bring water and sun cover, and leave before midday. Free.
🔗 More info here
🍽️ Restaurant Pick
🏛️ Zur letzten Instanz – Mitte (Old Favourite)
Berlin's oldest restaurant, since 1621. Prussian classics – Eisbein, Boulette – in cool, stone-walled, wood-panelled rooms that are a genuine refuge at 40°C. English‑friendly. Book ahead.
📍 Waisenstraße 14–16, Mitte – U2 Klosterstraße
🔗 Reserve here · 🔗 Official website
📚 Shopping Pick
🛒 Flohmarkt am Mauerpark – today · From 10:00 · Free
Browse vinyl, GDR‑era oddities and handmade goods in the cooler morning, then find shade. One of the best Berlin Sundays of the year – go early today. Cash only.
📍 Bernauer Str. 63–64, Prenzlauer Berg – U8 Bernauer Str.
🔗 More info here – The official visitBerlin page with opening hours and location details.
💼 Job Board
💰 Trade Republic – Graduate Backend Engineering, Berlin
Europe‘s largest savings platform. English‑first. 🔗 Apply here
🤖 Cogram – Ex Technical Founder / Product Engineer, Berlin / Remote
YC W22. AI platform for architects and engineers. €70K–€130K + equity. 🔗 Apply here
🧠 Merantix Momentum – AI/ML Project Manager, Berlin
Berlin AI startup on the AI Campus. English required. 🔗 Apply here
🔍 Job Drop Berlin – updated daily
Berlin startup jobs in English – engineering, product, design, marketing. 🔗 Browse here
2026 Blue Card: from €50,700/year (standard) · €45,934/year (shortage occupations & recent graduates). Chancenkarte: €1,091/month financial proof.
That’s it for this week.
Make Berlin yours
Forward this to someone who needs it. Berlin Brief is always free.
See you next time. Same time. Same Kiez.
— Yassir
P.S. – Snap a photo of your watch party or cooling spot and reply to this email. I will feature it in next week’s issue.