The WHOLE Festival, a vibrant beacon in the global cultural landscape, concluded its 2025 edition on July 21, marking the end of another envisioned “queer utopia.” The event, themed “WHOLE New World,” invited attendees on a transformative journey. It promised an exploration of “another galaxy.” Here, “joy, difference and acceptance are the rule.”
A Paradoxical Canvas: Ferropolis and the Spirit of Autonomy
The extraordinary event unfolded within the unique, almost surreal setting of Ferropolis, the “iron city” of Gräfenhainichen, Germany. This “dystopian landscape,” characterized by colossal industrial machines, provided a stark yet compelling backdrop for a celebration of radical inclusivity and self-expression. The festival’s very presence in this location was deeply meaningful. Ferropolis is situated in a region with considerable conservative political ideologies.
This geographical and ideological juxtaposition transformed the festival into a powerful political statement, an overt act of cultural resistance. WHOLE established a vibrant “political and social micro-structure completely unrelated to the location.” They actively carved out an alternative reality. This demonstrated that spaces for radical acceptance, joy, and difference could flourish even in challenging environments.
Ferropolis: the Iron City
The raw, imposing setting of Ferropolis was dramatically transformed by the festival. It is an open-air museum where gargantuan industrial excavators loomed over the landscape. For three days, these monumental machines, once symbols of extraction and labor, became silent witnesses to a vibrant, living celebration of community and freedom.
Temporary Autonomous Zone
The festival’s success in thriving in such an unexpected environment led to its frequent characterization as a “Temporary Autonomous Zone” (TAZ). In this zone, a distinct political and social micro-structure emerged. It operated entirely independent of the surrounding local context. This allowed attendees to experience a profound sense of autonomy and liberation.
Upon entering, visitors were often met with visible displays of solidarity, such as numerous ravers wearing Keffiyehs and Palestinian symbols, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to multiculturalism and collective solidarity, particularly significant within the German context often marked by anti-Palestinian bias.
The industrial backdrop, far from being a mere aesthetic choice, functioned as a catalyst for radical self-expression. The raw, deconstructed canvas of the former mining site was devoid of conventional societal impositions. It provided a unique environment that fostered an unparalleled sense of freedom.
Whole also encouraged human curiosity and discovery. This setting reinforced the festival’s core message: a “WHOLE New World” where identity was fluid, inhibitions dissolved, and the remnants of an old world were repurposed as the foundations for a new, queer-centric society.
Feel free to undress and reconnect
Furthermore, the festival’s location amidst nature created an intrinsic link between the event and its environment. Direct contact with the earth, air, and water fostered a sense of reconnection with oneself. It also helped reconnect with others. This contact subverted urban conventions. It paved the way for new forms of expression and socialization. A notable manifestation of this connection to nature was the embrace of FKK (Freikörperkultur) culture, or nudism, which for many participants was a fundamental aspect of the experience.
Sonic Architectures: A Symphony of Queer Frequencies
At the heart of WHOLE Festival lay an expansive and meticulously curated sonic landscape, designed to deliver an “immersive sonic and visual journey.” The festival boasted six distinct stages—Arena, Beach, Crane, Forest, Ambient, and Performance—each offering a unique auditory and atmospheric experience. For the 2025 edition, the popular Crane Stage featured extended hours, running until 2 AM.
The line up
The artist lineup was a testament to the festival’s global reach and commitment to diversity, featuring international names from a wide array of backgrounds, including I. JORDAN, Romy, Tygapaw, AHADADREAM, DJ AYA b2b THC, Dana Montana, Rakans b2b AGY3NA, Ellen Alien b2b Dr. Rubinstein, Blasha & Allatt, Nene H b2b Badsista, Wallis, OK Williams, and Shaun J. Wright b2b Kiddy Smile.
The sonic palette was broad. It encompassed everything from driving house and techno to experimental soundscapes. There were bass-heavy explorations and vibrant Latin American rhythms. The Crane Stage had a strong presence of Brazilian Funk, featuring a standout live performance by Irmãs de Pau.
The Performance Stage also crowned two queens of electronic music: Milan’s masked diva of chaos-pop, M¥SS KETA, and Berlin’s whispering witch of the rave, Miss Bashful x DBBD.
The power of collectives
A defining characteristic of WHOLE Festival was its profound emphasis on collectives. By centering these groups, WHOLE empowered grassroots movements and ensured that the “queer utopia” was built from the ground up by those who lived its values daily. The festival proudly featured a pivotal roster of international and Berlin-based queer collectives. These included Barcelona’s FLINTA* crew Me Siento Extraña, San Francisco’s queer underground techno party MÜLL, and Bangkok’s queer and women-led NONNONNON.
The lineup also showcased core Berlin collectives like Body Language, Buttons, Cocktail d’Amore, Gegen, Herrensauna, Lecken, Lunchbox Candy, Pornceptual, Puticlub, and WEEEIRDOS.
The Crane Stage featured Kilowatt, a Black-run electronic and techno collective, and Papi Juice, a Brooklyn-based QTPoC nightlife and art collective. The Ambient Stage offered a contrasting experience. It provided a “carefully curated program of immersive live sets, conceptual sound explorations, and collaborative storytelling.” Artists like Arewà Basit and Juliana Huxtable were performing, as well as collectives such as African Acid Is The Future and kwia.
Weaving the Tapestry: Community, Care, and Radical Inclusivity
WHOLE Festival’s core identity was its unwavering commitment to fostering an “inclusive space.” The rich tapestry of differences became a powerful reason for unity. It promoted mutual enrichment. This dedication extended to actively embracing and celebrating FLINTA* (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans, Agender) individuals. It included BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color).
The festival celebrated trans and gender-expansive people, individuals with disabilities, and those experiencing fatphobia. The festival endeavored to create a “parallel universe of inclusion” where bodies of “all colours, origin, gender and form” gathered freely.
Solidarity Program
Beyond mere rhetoric, WHOLE implemented concrete initiatives to ensure equitable access and foster a truly supportive environment. The festival allocated 50% of its Community Tickets specifically to FLINTA* individuals. The Solidarity Program was significantly expanded, offering free festival experiences to 150 attendees facing systemic and economic disparities.
There was a clear prioritization of refugees, Black and POC individuals, trans and gender-expansive people, individuals with disabilities, and those experiencing fatphobia.
TRINA Tent
Dedicated experiential spaces further underscored this commitment to comprehensive well-being and belonging. The TRINA Tent served as a vital BIPoC experiential space. Meticulously “created by and for diasporic communities”, this space offered a vibrant program that included a body activation workshop, BIPoC speed dating, and panel discussions.
Sober Space
Similarly, the expanded Sober Space, supported by Connecting Passions and Lemonade Queers, provided a “lively, judgment-free zone” for sober and sober-curious attendees. It offered grounding activities and playful welcome rituals. The zone also encouraged open conversations and hosted daily 12-step meetings.
Beyond the Beats: Art, Activism and Embodied Liberation
WHOLE Festival was far more than a series of musical performances. It was a dynamic curriculum of liberation. Entertainment seamlessly intertwined with education and activism. The festival offered a rich program of workshops and panel discussions that extended far beyond typical festival fare, creating vital spaces for social change and critical discourse.
Topics ranged from sensual touch and radical consent. Participants engaged in writing workshops, yoga, and queer speed dating. There was also a ‘Safety & Self-Defence’ workshop organized by Queens against Borders. Deeper discussions delved into public sex, decolonizing desire, anti-Muslim hate, and screenings of films related to queer and trans BIPOC experiences and the Palestinian struggle.
Installations and Playing practice
Exceptional Art installations were integral to the festival’s immersive experience, contributing to the “sonic and visual journey.” These installations were designed to challenge perceptions and invite interaction, transforming the industrial landscape into a canvas for avant-garde expression. Notable examples included “Cord,” “SOUNA,” “GND*FCK,” “PEEP SHOW,” “DTF,” and “BDSM ARCHITECTURE: EROTIC FURNITURE PLAYGROUND.”
The festival explicitly positioned itself at the “intersection of music, queerness, and politics.” The event had a strong political pulse. Visible acts of solidarity were common. Many attendees wore keffiyehs and Palestinian symbols. The organizers publicly affirmed their unwavering solidarity. They supported those struggling for justice, freedom, self-determination, and equal rights. They acknowledged that “Queer liberation is part of a broader fight against oppression.”
Further enhancing the experiential realms were unique spaces dedicated to desire and play. The Cruising Village was a “multi-exploratory space” curated by diverse crews, blending “soft and hard play across various zones” and including a FLINTA*-dedicated area. The “iconic Douching Station” also returned, playing its “unique role” in the realm of sexual pleasure and liberation.
Sustenance for the Soul: Culinary and Comfort Realms
Amidst the vibrant energy and profound experiences, WHOLE Festival ensured that attendees were well-nourished and had ample opportunities for rest and rejuvenation. The culinary offerings were diverse. They catered to a wide range of tastes and dietary needs. There were abundant vegan and gluten-free options from vendors like AMRIT, BELLA!, FOLKLORE STREEET, and RE:SET.
The festival also placed a significant emphasis on comfort and relaxation. The expanded Sober Space provided not only a judgment-free zone but also cozy chill-out areas for unwinding. Installations like “SNOOZE,” a “soft landscape” designed for rest in the cool shade, offered dedicated sanctuaries for attendees to decompress between activities.
The festival actively catered to diverse dietary needs. It provided dedicated sober spaces and integrated wellness workshops. These efforts ensured that attendees could participate fully and safely.
Becoming Whole again: A Blueprint for a Freer Future
WHOLE Festival continued to shine as a beacon of avant-garde queer culture, offering a unique and powerful model for collective liberation. It started in Berlin and evolved significantly. Transformed into a global platform for queer electronic music culture, the festival is intentionally “weaving a wider net of connection and care.”
The festival’s most profound contribution lay in its role as a “dress rehearsal for a freer, queerer world.” This powerful notion encapsulated WHOLE’s intentionality, its deep community focus, and its unwavering commitment to challenging prevailing norms.
Serving as a living prototype for how queer communities could build resilient, interconnected, and impactful cultural ecosystems on a global scale, its success provided tangible proof that alternative models of community, rooted in radical inclusivity, political engagement, and holistic well-being, are not only viable but thriving.
This positioned WHOLE Festival as a powerful counter-example to mainstream festival culture. These festivals are often depoliticized. WHOLE Festival serves as an inspiring blueprint for other cultural initiatives. It seeks to create meaningful change and foster a more liberated future.
You must be logged in to post a comment.