Republic of Chicken
A Worldbuilding Project by Promona Sengupta and Jorinde Schulz unearthing the hidden histories and secret worlds lurking beneath Berlin’s beloved “Arab Street” — Sonnenallee.
Everything is not what it seems.
Unbeknownst to us, our histories are stolen, our myths denied, our gods hidden in plain sight.
From beneath the tarmac of the mighty Sonnenallee, infernal whispers waft up, swirling and mixing with the oily aroma of chicken, stuck on grills, on skewers, in our hands, under our nails, between our teeth. The whispers from hell, they carry a hidden history, a chilling tale about the forgotten god of Berlin’s “Arab Street” — The Big Hen.
Republic of Chicken is a public history project that captures events, memories and myths about the vibrant migrant neighbourhood surrounding Sonnenallee. Intertwining news reports, academic research, interviews, food criticism and political analysis with the fantastic tale of an ancient chicken god, Republic of Chicken acts as a multimedia citizen’s archive.
Photos of History and Food Walk by Rasha Al Jundi and Shoufay Derz.
Want to take the Republic of Chicken History and food walk with Promona and Jorinde?
The first iteration of Republic of Chicken was created for The Shape of A Pocket exhibition at The Institute of Endotic Research, Berlin, curated by Shoufay Derz and Talya Lubinsky.
It took the shape of a local History and Food Walk with community members, an Audio Guide for radio, a still life photo series called On The Ephemerality of The Enemy, a multimedia installation for the exhibition at TIER, and a publication.
The Big Hen's Call: The Republic of Chicken Audio Guide
Researched and produced over the tumultuous and radical years of 2023-24, and installed at the chicken shops and other much-loved landmarks on Berlin’s Arab street, Sonnenallee, this audio walk is a testament to life, joy, violence and resistance on this street. The guide was replayed on Radio alHara and Refuge Worldwide community radio.
Scan our QR codes at Risa, Azzam, City Chicken and all over Sonnenallee, or listen here.
Multimedia Installation
A multimedia shrine dedicated to Le Grand Poulet, the mythical overseer of The Republic of Chicken. On view at The Shape of a Pocket, at TIER Berlin, 2024.
Photos by Shoufay Derz.