Den Faden immernoch weiterspinnen

In different moments and circumstances, the brochure „Den Faden weiterspinnen“ came into our conversation.
In a Nutshell, this Brochure gathers the experiences of some members of the „I-Plenum – „Internationales Frauenplenum Westberlin“ – a women and lesbian assembly that was founded in 1988 for organizing the 8 march in the context of the „Anti -IWF-campaign“. This demo preparation led to a longterm organization. The summary of the debates taking place there , what worked out well and what didn’t was collected by further participants in this broshure. It was written over 3 years and published in 1995.

„Den Faden weiterspinnen“ shares with us the reflections of our comrades about their discussions, actions, points of contention, conflicts and their analysis of history. One central point in their work was, finding a way of organizing internationally with a mix of women, that came different backgrounds and political ideas.
It shows how important it is to understand that we need time, out of the capitalistic timeframe, to build real connections, strength and transformation that could lead us to a common path to fight oppression.

During the last wintertime we did a reading circle of it. We had a series of sessions where we would previously read parts of the brochure and come together to discuss them. We had many different analyses as well as shared conclusions, but our ideas converge on one certain point: the relevance of the topics of discussion, especially the relevance of the practical experiences that our comrades describe in their brochure.

We would like to present a summary of the topics we find most relevant in our dicussions:

1. International vs internationalist.
In a city like Berlin where many life experiences and struggles find each other, the question of internationalism is a never ending one. Many times we find each other discussing the difference between having people from different nationalities, or joining different struggles with one another. In this line, it gains importance to think of how to work with differences, while avoiding turning them into identities. Moreover, it seems important to analyse the overlappings of international constellations with liberalism.

2. Intergenerational work
Dialogue and knowledge transfer are very important for the continuation of our struggles. Given the ongoing generational divide in Germany, certain dynamics arise that we would like to discuss. For example, seeing previous generations as experts, as unattainable. Thus, generally exchange takes place within a framework of prestige, where only history becomes relevant, while current practices are reduced to criticism. In this sense, we would like to discuss the possibility of overcoming the age/generational division and finding common practices based on affinity that allow us to treat each other as equals, as comrades.

3. Organization
How can we work together, when we follow different ways of organisation? What do we have already with each other? What do we need?

4.Geo-political situation
One clear source of inspiration highlighted in the brochure is the joint analysis of the geopolitical landscape, which has given rise to common struggles. This prompted us to consider the necessity of creating analyses of the current situation worldwide from our feminist perspectives, enabling us to explore connections for establishing practices of feminist internationalism.

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Summary of the first meeting

Considering the experience, analysis and critics presented in the brochure so close to our current feminist practices, it was that we decided to further open this discussion circle and invite for a first meeting.
For framing and desiging the event, we got inspired by the brochure. We thought the idea of actually spending time together should be central. Therefore we splitted the day in different dicussion session that will be accompaind by food and a quite atmosphere.

On May 28, 2025, we invited various groups and individuals to discuss and eat with us. Our intentions was that of discussing current strategies of resistance against capitalist patriarchy in Berlin, with a particular focus on intergenerational continuity based both, on similarities and differences. In other words, we wanted to create a space for building solidarity, internationalist and feminist connections across generations.

We invited for coffee/tea and cake at 12pm and the room was set up with small tables. We encouraged the people that was coming to take a seat at a table with people they did not know. After a small introduction we started small group discussions. We laid out various questions on the small tables that could be used as an inspiration or discussion starter. Then we made a small brake and afterwards a big group-discussion with the „fishbowl – method“.

In the following, we would like to tell you about the main discussion topics and points out of this:

In the big round, there were 3 main questions that were discussed:

1) What brings us together here today? What thoughts on the international feminist struggle in Berlin do we bring with us?

A central point is finding an internationally feminist way of resisting and for this we have to define common goals. We need shared values and do critics on liberal ideas, that seperate us from each other. We want to see feminism as an holistic struggle. We want to take presence on the streets.

2) What practices / methods do we have in common?

A big critic was, that a lot of people in Germany have everything, and that we are stucked in discussions without real actions. It was said, often inequality is searched outside of germany. But there is also a big inequality and repression here, we could fight against.

3) How could an international feminist practics look like?
A critic was that we do not have a feminist movement here in Berlin. There is a lack of social power.
The topic of militarisation was seen as one, with potential to gain power. Also there was made up the point, that there is a big need to build up autonomos healthcare structures in times of militarization. The war mindset is deeply patriachal and this discussion is very present.

At the end of the discussion, we noted a few points that we want to discuss further and take action on:
– feminizide (and § 218 still there)
– patriarchal warfare –> feminist anti – war movement
– how could we give our struggles meaning? how can we manage to be part of movements and take risks (how we could connect us in struggles. Not leaving us alone)
– what does it mean to fight internationally? how can we develop our own standpoints and find common ground in our differences?
– Educational work as an important component / work on the own territory

We concluded the meeting on a big dining table with a warm meal together and further exchange of ideas and discussions and with the will of meeting again!

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Out of the first meeting came the idea to create a regular exchange. This happend on an unregular base until now, with a big summerbreak. The last days we sat together again thinking of regular exchanges and would like to indroduce the proposal of four seasonal meetings a year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

The first meeting will be the Autumn-meeting on 30. November 12 o clock at Bethanien,New York

For this season, the organization is already covered but we should find out together how to continue. Therefore would be nice if people come with their own ideas and inspirations. Would be good, if people bring the will to also be part in organizing the next meetings. You could also bring some stuff (zines, brochure etc.) to introduce them, or put them on an infotable, to share our ideas, inspirations etc.

We look forward to see you, discuss with you and exchange ideas

passiert am 30.11.2025