Cold War, Hot Autumn

In the heart of a Berlin apartment building in Kreuzberg, Najet Adouani depicts life in exile. She describes the daily lives of her neighbors—from the lonely old actress who eagerly awaits a postcard to the sick neighbor who sits on a bench in front of the house every day—offering a unique perspective on life in the big city. She captures the diversity of the people around her with precision and sensitivity, from small, often quirky moments to the tragic aspects of life in urban exile. Interwoven with memories of her Tunisian homeland, her diaries blend everyday observations with poetic reflections. Adouani describes the contrasts and challenges of life in a poor, multicultural neighborhood, taking the reader on a journey through Kreuzberg, a place marked by poverty, drug addiction, and neglect, but also filled with unexpected moments of beauty and wonder. Adouani's portrayals evoke empathy for the often invisible, desperate, yet resilient people in her surroundings. With a mix of humorous, melancholic, and reflective tones, the reader is invited to immerse themselves in a world shaped by the small stories of the individuals who make up the larger picture of the city.