STAR INTERVIEW: CRISTINA DO REGO

‘I HAVE HOPE FOR THE COUNTRY AGAIN’

Born in Brazil and raised in Germany, actress Cristina do Rego speaks to Discover Germany, Austria & Switzerland about the recent election results in her home country, her latest film projects and much, much more.

DISCOVER GERMANY: You were born in Brazil and moved to Germany as a child. To what extent do your Brazilian roots still shape you today?

Cristina do Rego: Brazil is and will always be my roots and my home. I’m at home in Germany, but Brazil is a part of me. Most of my family lives there and I need to recharge my batteries there regularly to feel like myself again.

DISCOVER GERMANY: Let’s chat about uprooting: Do you now feel more German than Brazilian?

Cristina do Rego: It is very difficult to answer this question. Nevertheless, it is now simply the case that I have built up an entire life, a career and many long-term friendships in Germany. I have accepted that I have both cultures within me and that both countries are home for me. At some point in my twenties, I understood that I never have to choose one root or the other.

DISCOVER GERMANY: What do you think of the outcome of the election in your home country?

Cristina do Rego: I am infinitely relieved, I have hope for the country again, which I have not recognised in many places in recent years.

DISCOVER GERMANY: You recently came out as a member of the queer community. How has this changed your life?

Cristina do Rego: My day-to-day life hasn’t changed, other than making me even more confident. So far, my professional life has only changed noticeably in moments like these, as I am now asked much more about my private life than before.

DISCOVER GERMANY: Today you live in Berlin. Why is this city your adopted home? What makes it so special to you?

Cristina do Rego: Berlin happened to me and I am very grateful for that. I had to move to Berlin for a project in my early twenties, although I was very happy in Cologne, where I lived before. Berlin has slowly conquered my heart. I have the feeling that there is more ‘space’ here overall, and I like that a lot. As impersonal as it can be, this city enchants me every time.

DISCOVER GERMANY: Is acting your dream job or has there ever been another?

Cristina do Rego: It’s still my dream job after more than 20 years. Of course, some things are different: the role of social media, for example. Still, I’m always very fulfilled when I’m on set.

DISCOVER GERMANY: How do you prepare for the different roles? Are there certain rituals that you like to include?

Cristina do Rego: I work a lot with music and make playlists for my roles. Also, every role I play over a period of time has its own perfume. Then, of course, classic desk work like learning text.

DISCOVER GERMANY: Your feature film TRAUZEUGEN will be released in March. What can viewers look forward to?

Cristina do Rego: To a wonderful romantic comedy with a great look and wonderful actors. There are plenty of fantastic guest appearances, such as Kurt Krömer. I promise you: you shouldn’t miss this!

DISCOVER GERMANY: What else can we look forward to from you in 2022 and 2023?

Cristina do Rego: On 7 December you can see Das Weihnachtsschnitzel on ARD, and the mystery podcast Flüsterwelt will be released in December. In spring 2023, in addition to the cinema film, there will also be a fiction documentary on Arte, in which I play Aracy de Carvalho, a real character who helped many Jewish people escape from the Nazis during World War II. It was a great honour for me to embody this courageous woman.

DISCOVER GERMANY: Other wishes and dreams for the future?

Cristina do Rego:After the last few years we’ve all gotten a little bit humbler, haven’t we? I dream of a quieter, safer world, of course, like most people. My personal wishes aren’t too big either: I’m happy if I can work for many more years and if I and the people around me don’t want for anything. Especially not in terms of health.

Over 100 artists on the largest theatre stage in the world. Photo: Ralph Larmann Finally in use again: The famous water basin from 1984, completely modernised technically in 2020. Photo: Nady el Tounsy

GRAND SHOW. GRAND EMOTIONS.

The ARISE Grand Show at the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin is an emotional rollercoaster ride filled with dazzling highlights –touching moments alternate with artistic masterpieces at dizzying heights and with stunning choreography. Here, you can fall in love with over 100 artists on the world’s biggest theatre stage. In fact, more than 400,000 guests have come to see the Grand Show since it opened.

The photographer Cameron takes centre stage. He travels the world accompanied by his beloved muse. When he loses her, his happiness is destroyed. Light magically draws him into his most emotional and sentimental memories of their time together. ‘Arise’ means to stand up, not to give up; to keep faith in the eternal power of love.

The Palast offers its guests a triple ‘feel safe promise‘ consisting of a TÜV-certified hygiene concept, a free-of-charge rebooking up to two

ARISE celebrates life and love. Photo: Brinkhoff Moegenburg hours before the show starts and a 100 per cent moneyback guarantee in case a show has to be cancelled. This allows guests to have complete peace of mind.

The show is suitable for non-German speakers, as many of the songs are sung in English.

www.palast.berlin/en Tickets +49 30 2326 2327

ÜBER 400.000 BEGEISTERTE GÄSTE

Hypnotic beauty, elegance and femininity. Photo: Nady el Tounsy Der Daily Express, London, nennt sie die „spektakulärste Show in Europa“: Die ARISE Grand Show auf der größten Theaterbühne der Welt begeistert Medien und Gäste gleichermaßen. Über 400.000 Menschen haben die Grand Show bereits gesehen.

ARISE ist eine Achterbahnfahrt der Gefühle voller strahlender Akzente – gefühlvolle Momente wechseln sich ab mit artistischen Meisterleistungen in schwindelerregenden Höhen und Choreografien voller tänzerischer Perfektion. Im Mittelpunkt von ARISE steht der Fotograf Cameron. Mit seiner Muse reist er um die ganze Welt. Als er sie verliert, reißt sein Glück in Stücke. Licht zieht ihn magisch hinein in die emotionalsten und schönsten Erinnerungen der gemeinsamen Zeit. ‚Arise‘ bedeutet aufzustehen, nicht aufzugeben, sich den Glauben an die unsterbliche Kraft der Liebe zu bewahren.

Liebe ist stärker als die Zeit, das erlebt Cameron hautnah in ARISE. So tief und emotional war bisher keine Grand Show im Palast.

Der Palast gibt seinen Gästen ein dreifaches Fühl-Dich-SicherVersprechen bestehend aus einem TÜV-geprüften Hygienekonzept, einer kostenlosen Umbuchungsoption (bis zwei Stunden vor Vorstellungsbeginn) und einer 100 % Geld-zurück-Garantie bei Showausfall.

www.palast.berlin Tickets +49 30 2326 2326

XU EXPONENTIAL UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES:

TAKING EDUCATION BEYOND TOMORROW

Digitisation as well as the technology industry in Germany this year grew by 102 billion euros, with an expected growth rate of seven trillion euros, creating one million jobs in the next three years as per Deloitte‘s report. Currently, there is a 75.8 per cent employment rate in the industry and an annual shortage of 400,000 labour force. Potsdam-based XU Exponential University started welcoming students to its campus in 2019, in order to meet this demand.

TEXT: SILKE HENKELE | PHOTOS: XU EXPONENTIAL UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES GMBH

“XU embodies and delivers advanced and innovative education, applied research and practical project-based learning in digital technologies and digitisation to develop the talents and create the competences for the jobs and entrepreneurs of the future,” says senior admissions advisor Laveen Melwani. “We teach our students with our strengths in coding and software engineering, data science, digital business, digital marketing and digital transformation in the context of the fourth industrial revolution, combined with a learning environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, inclusion and collaboration.”

The university offers five different Bachelor programmes (Digital Business, Digital Marketing and Social Media, Coding and Software Engineering, Data Science) and one Master programme (Digital Transformation Management), with all programmes fully taught in English.

Berlin ranks highly in the direct investment magazine FDI Intelligence’s ranking of Europe’s top cities for technology, in the ‘fDi x TNW Tech Cities of the Future’ list, and is also ranked second behind London in the category ‘Start-Up Environment’.

“Our students not only work on theoretical projects, but also on practice-orientated projects with our network partners Adesso, Airbus, Allianz, Bremer Sparkasse, Bosch, Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Post, DHL, Delivery Hero, DMEXCO, Berlin Fashion Week, Franka Robotics, Hasso-PlattnerInstitut (HPI), Lufthansa, Otto Group, Porsche, Universal Music, Volkswagen, VR Venture Capitalist Business Club, etc. Through our Careers Team, Industry Networking Events, TedEx Talks and Industry Partnerships, as well as career day events, our aim is to develop talent that can be absorbed in the digitisation and technology industry through internships, full time jobs and entrepreneurships.”

www.xu-university.com

Contact them for more information: XU Exponential University of Applied Sciences August-Bebel-Str. 26-53, 14482 Potsdam WhatsApp: +49 172 634 7600 hello@xu-university.com www.xu-university.com

A LEADING SCHOOL IN GERMANY: BAVARIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (BIS) IN MUNICH THE SCHOOL FOR CHANGEMAKERS

Choosing the right school is an essential part of discovering Germany. A top address in the south of the country is the Bavarian International School (BIS), with two campuses in Munich-Schwabing and Haimhausen.

TEXT: BAVARIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL / MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: SEBASTIAN STIPHOUT

BIS is a community of more than 1,200 learners and 180 education leaders, working together to bring out the best in young people from over 60 nations, all within a caring and international environment. BIS students are supported to become global citizens with outstanding language and communication skills, an intercultural mindset and a deep understanding of digital technology and modern collaboration.

BIS is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, where talented, globallyfocused educators care for students aged

Teamwork and kindness characterise the spirit at BIS from a very young age. three to 19. It is a private, non-profit, all-day school which ranks among the best international schools in Germany and in Europe. In addition, BIS is the only international school in Germany offering all four IB programmes from Kindergarten to Secondary School (PYP, MYP, DP, CP).

A CARING, INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

About 75 per cent of BIS students come from international families, with the other 25 per cent of students coming from local Munich families. One of the school’s strengths is its connected, intercultural community, which is continuously developing through a spirit of care and inclusion.

“The children and young people are just happy at BIS. This positive spirit immediately inspires new families and every visitor that

At both campuses in Munich and Haimhausen, BIS offers a kindergarten (Early Childhood), pre-school and primary school. Values and future skills are important goals in the international curriculum at BIS. At this school, the young minds are prepared for the new tomorrow in the best possible way.

comes here,” says Dr. Chrissie Sorenson, head of school at BIS.

The caring culture at BIS is further defined by additional guidance for students at every turn: language and learning support, mentors, school counsellors, and university and career counsellors. Students are encouraged to develop themselves outside of the classroom as well, by taking part in one of 80 after-school activities. These include drama, music, engineering, multimedia, athletics, as well as some signature programmes, such as the Model United Nations, the Duke of Edinburgh International Award and the Eco School project.

DIGITAL PIONEERS

Educational technology has been an integral component of the learning philosophy at BIS for nearly 20 years. From Early Childhood to Grade 3, they work with iPads as class sets; in Grades 4 and 5, each student receives an iPad from BIS; in the Secondary School from Grade 6, the ‘Bring your own device’ (BYOD) programme applies. The combination of digitallysavvy teachers, IT team and helpdesk team underlines BIS as a digital pioneer.

THE SCHOOL OF THE FUTURE – TODAY

In 2021, BIS celebrated its 30th anniversary. The next chapter will include the funding and building of the new Creativity & Innovation Centre (CIC). Building on the foundation of its 30-year tradition, BIS is actively shaping the future of learning with plans for this new heart of the Haimhausen campus. This building will offer open, flexible and interdisciplinary learning spaces for around 750 students. The pedagogical design focus of the space will be ‘STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths). The new 25-million-euro innovation centre underscores BIS’s claim to be the school of the future – today.

www.bis-school.com

Open Days 2022-23 – please check the website under admissions.

FACTS & FIGURES Locations: Munich and Haimhausen, Bavaria (Germany) Founded: 1991 (30 years of BIS in 2021) Type of School: International Baccalaureate World School Students: 1,200 from more than 60 nations Teachers: 180 from more than 30 nations Characteristics: - Academic excellence - Technological expertise - Extensive extracurricular programme - Counselling and learning support programmes - School bus transportation - School catering by ORGANIC

GARDEN

The Bavarian International School (BIS) is a pioneer in the meaningful integration of digital tools in the classroom. State-of-the-art learning environments and technology are standard at the IB World School in Munich.