The two cities are known to ignite a spectrum of emotions from frustration to euphoria. They are emotional and creative playgrounds for us to think and express ourselves without restrictions. The cities pave their own path with little regard to traditional norms, resulting in redefined standards. Berlin and Los Angeles continue to be the backdrops for creatives and innovators to revolutionize the arts, sciences, and technology industries.
50 years of history
In 2017, Los Angeles and Berlin celebrated their 50th anniversary as sister cities.
Their stories first collided in the early 1920s and 1930s, when 800 members of the creative community fled to Los Angeles due to the Nazis. In the beginning, Berliners called the city “Weimar at Pacific” or “Living hell”. Directors like Billy Wilder bloomed at the time, while others like Fritz Lang fought for creative freedom with his cinematic style. Eventually, Lang compromised and traded in his monocle for cowboy boots and glasses.
During the 90s, more Berliners were drawn to LA: Udo Kier - the hero of Warhol, as well as Wim Wenders who has now been in LA for years.
Regarded as two of the best cities for creatives, Los Angeles and Berlin have garnered a flourishing creative community in the arts, tech, and film industries over the years. Musicians, artists and start-up founders look to the cities to start fresh and begin their creative careers. The cities are made for transformation, which is why they have been closely associated for 50 years as 'Sister Cities'.
Mission 'people to people'
We live in the digital age, one that brings people, ideas and visions together. This website is a digital platform that intends to communicate on a more direct human-to-human level. Berliners and Angelenos who have businesses and ideas will meet here in a more direct and uninhibited way. From now on, a new era begins, a new life for the "Sister Cities", and it will start here.
Who we are
The digital space, Berlin-Los Angeles, is run by the bi-continental boutique marketing agency, BOLD Communications and Marketing. With offices in LA and Berlin, our team shares the connection between the cities as we live and breathe the Angeleno and Berliner lifestyles. BOLD LA is proud to oversee this digital platform and bring community to those who also appreciate the beauty of both Berlin and Los Angeles.
BERLIN LOS ANGELES is the digital home of the two sister cities
and is supported and co-funded by the Sister Cities of Los Angeles and The Governing Mayor of Berlin – Senate Chancellery.
BOLD LA is responsible for project management and curated content.
As a student at Elon University, I had the opportunity to live, learn, and intern in Los Angeles during the 2023 summer as part of their Elon in LA program. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the city and all that it has to offer. As an intern at BOLD LA, I had the chance to work in this amazing digital space celebrating the Berlin/LA connection. I had such a great experience researching, doing outreach, and highlighting community members who share a connection between these two wonderful cities and I am excited to continue working on features of deserving musicians, artists, authors, and more on our website. One day, I hope to travel to Berlin and explore the city of which I have heard so much. I also feel confident that a life in LA will be in my future. We hope you enjoy our STORIES.
I moved to Los Angeles in 2014. I was impressed by the endless sunshine and the ocean in front of the door, but also shocked by the extreme homelessness and annoyed by the unpredictable traffic. Nevertheless, after finishing my MA with focus on intercultural and political communication, I moved back to the west coast. Redondo Beach is my happy place and home. Los Angeles is an adventure that takes time: to understand and discover.
Many of my friends sooner or later moved to Berlin. The story is always the same: temporarily attracted and Berlin did not let them go. With them also the opportunities for capital visits rose. I love the multicultural atmosphere, the diverse neighborhoods, the hip coffee shops and the casual flea market culture.
I didn’t know what to expect when I came to live in Los Angeles for a year. This was over 5 years ago and what I know now: I love the city with its special vibe of possibilities, the diversity of daring and creative Angelenos and my new found community in Malibu. It’s the best place in the world for raising my little son Theodor. Born and raised in Halle/Saale, East-Berlin was the chosen city for travels, I still recall wandering the streets of Berlin ending up in front of the wall with no access to West-Berlin and the rest of world. Berlin now? It became a great city, open and multi-cultural - just like LA. And I am enjoying to be a small part of both.
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