
Berlin’s online lifestyle magazine
For expats, visitors and trendsetters. Current trends, stunning offers and hand-selected products. From Berlin. For the world.
The Columbist is Berlin’s online lifestyle magazine for expats, visitors and locals interested in learning about current and upcoming trends, stunning new places, Berlin’s talents and its hand-selected products.
The name combines the words Columbus and Journalist becoming The Columbist. Reflecting the spirit of discovery, adventure, courage, curiosity and thirst for knowledge, it refers to “constant curiousity” – always discovering new concepts and ideas in the urban jungle of Berlin.
We build and grow a community that is adventurous and open-minded and that strives to discover new worlds in an old cosmos. We don't want to only guide you towards new horizons, but we invite you to expand your perspective and experience the unknown side of Berlin. Our vision is to unite different cultures, to promote diversity and to build a community of multi-cultural voices. We believe in a fair and respectful exchange of information and goods and are aware that “there is no story without history.”
Collaboration is the key: we introduce you to the minds and makers who shape the ideas and the products of tomorrow. We invite you to discover the hidden side of Berlin with us – to stay “constantly curious!”

Creator & CEO
Elena Kaplyar-Balzer
Berlin stole Elenas heart. After completing her Masters in Berlin, she spent many years working as Berlin correspondent for lifestyle magazines. Her close collaboration with cultural institutes, agencies and advertising pros inspired her to create a platform that would connect English-speaking expats and other visitors from across the world with the city of Berlin as it is today. As an avid traveler herself, Elena appreciates a good insider tip, which is why she loves giving visitors to Berlin a surprise peek behind the scenes.

Collaborators
The team
Elena has developed close relationships with an extensive network of journalists, curators and Berlin enthusiasts ready to share their expertise. An art director and experienced IT department bring the ideas and information to life online.
We are growing and new collaborators are very welcome. If you are a journalist, truly passionate about Berlin and want to become a part of this project, feel free to send us an email.

Eleonora Hristova
Fashion Editor
Eleonora is a true digital creative who is inspired by color, nature and everything extravagant. She loves the vibrancy of Berlin and can pinpoint unique styles at every station of the city’s bustling life. From the founder of the Fashion Society at Newcaslte University (UK), where she studied Media, Communications and Cultural Studies to an SEO Copywriter at a UK-based digital marketing agency to doing a fashion design internship with Berlin-based eco label Maqu, Eleonora has followed the thread of fashion all her life.

Beatrice Sacco
Art Editor
Beatrice has always been drawn to art and wanted to become a writer since she was six years old. Museums are her happy places, where she finds solace, peace and continuous inspiration. She studied art in Italy, and then began a love story with Berlin and its mesmerizing vibe. She is now a journalist specialised in contemporary art, following her dream and lifelong passion.

Tolga Ra
Marketing & Communications
Tolga fell in love with Berlin during his first visit to the city for Fashion Week. Formerly an Istanbul-based fashion and culture journalist and communications consultant, he has written for various international magazines, including VOGUE and L'Officiel, alongside his work in communications and content for luxury concept stores and jewelry houses. Now based in Berlin, he is responsible for marketing, communications, and sales operations, combining his passion for magazines and communications with his love for the city through The Columbist’s ever-expanding creative partnerships.

Artemii Ivanov
Visual Storyteller & Editor (Video & Photography)
Artemii moved to Berlin two years ago — a city that has profoundly changed him. Amid its beautiful chaos, he discovered a sense of inner peace and lasting happiness. Film is his passion and the essence of his life. Always eager to learn and explore new perspectives, he draws inspiration from travel and dreams of creating film projects around the world.

Josh Axelrod
Editor
Josh is a freelance reporter from the United States covering film and culture. Based in Berlin for the past two years, his writing has appeared in CNN, NPR, DW, Die Zeit, and other international outlets.

Anastasia Koptilova
Content Specialist
Ever since she was young, Anastasia has been drawn to stories — of people, places, and moments that shape them. Her curiosity for human experience grew into a passion for crafting meaning through words and visuals. Today, she channels that passion into editing and content creation, inspired by the culture, rhythm, and creative energy around her.

Arina Teterina
Social Media Manager
Arina has always loved social media, content and creativity, which she now enjoys doing. Being involved in smm since 2020 has given her many opportunities, meeting new people from different countries and, importantly, self-confidence. She now lives in a big city with a fast pace of life, wich inspires her.

Olivia Noss
Photographer & Editor
Olivia Noss is a freelance photojournalist from Washington, D.C. with an interest in documenting queer spaces and thriving countercultures. Her work has been published in ZEITmagazin, Berliner Zeitung, Berlin Art Link as well as other online arts publications.

Berlin’s online lifestyle magazine
For expats, visitors and trendsetters. Current trends, stunning offers and hand-selected products. From Berlin. For the world.
The Columbist is Berlin’s online lifestyle magazine for expats, visitors and locals interested in learning about current and upcoming trends, stunning new places, Berlin’s talents and its hand-selected products.
The name combines the words Columbus and Journalist becoming The Columbist. Reflecting the spirit of discovery, adventure, courage, curiosity and thirst for knowledge, it refers to “constant curiousity” – always discovering new concepts and ideas in the urban jungle of Berlin.
We build and grow a community that is adventurous and open-minded and that strives to discover new worlds in an old cosmos. We don't want to only guide you towards new horizons, but we invite you to expand your perspective and experience the unknown side of Berlin. Our vision is to unite different cultures, to promote diversity and to build a community of multi-cultural voices. We believe in a fair and respectful exchange of information and goods and are aware that “there is no story without history.”
Collaboration is the key: we introduce you to the minds and makers who shape the ideas and the products of tomorrow. We invite you to discover the hidden side of Berlin with us – to stay “constantly curious!”

Creator & CEO
Elena Kaplyar-Balzer
Berlin stole Elenas heart. After completing her Masters in Berlin, she spent many years working as Berlin correspondent for lifestyle magazines. Her close collaboration with cultural institutes, agencies and advertising pros inspired her to create a platform that would connect English-speaking expats and other visitors from across the world with the city of Berlin as it is today. As an avid traveler herself, Elena appreciates a good insider tip, which is why she loves giving visitors to Berlin a surprise peek behind the scenes.

Collaborators
The team
Elena has developed close relationships with an extensive network of journalists, curators and Berlin enthusiasts ready to share their expertise. An art director and experienced IT department bring the ideas and information to life online.
We are growing and new collaborators are very welcome. If you are a journalist, truly passionate about Berlin and want to become a part of this project, feel free to send us an email.

Artemii Ivanov
Visual Storyteller & Editor (Video & Photography)
Artemii moved to Berlin two years ago — a city that has profoundly changed him. Amid its beautiful chaos, he discovered a sense of inner peace and lasting happiness. Film is his passion and the essence of his life. Always eager to learn and explore new perspectives, he draws inspiration from travel and dreams of creating film projects around the world.

Eleonora Hristova
Fashion Editor
Eleonora is a true digital creative who is inspired by color, nature and everything extravagant. She loves the vibrancy of Berlin and can pinpoint unique styles at every station of the city’s bustling life. From the founder of the Fashion Society at Newcaslte University (UK), where she studied Media, Communications and Cultural Studies to an SEO Copywriter at a UK-based digital marketing agency to doing a fashion design internship with Berlin-based eco label Maqu, Eleonora has followed the thread of fashion all her life.

Anastasia Koptilova
Content Specialist
Ever since she was young, Anastasia has been drawn to stories — of people, places, and moments that shape them. Her curiosity for human experience grew into a passion for crafting meaning through words and visuals. Today, she channels that passion into editing and content creation, inspired by the culture, rhythm, and creative energy around her.

Arina Teterina
Social Media Manager
Arina has always loved social media, content and creativity, which she now enjoys doing. Being involved in smm since 2020 has given her many opportunities, meeting new people from different countries and, importantly, self-confidence. She now lives in a big city with a fast pace of life, wich inspires her.

Olivia Noss
Photographer & Editor
Olivia Noss is a freelance photojournalist from Washington, D.C. with an interest in documenting queer spaces and thriving countercultures. Her work has been published in ZEITmagazin, Berliner Zeitung, Berlin Art Link as well as other online arts publications.

Beatrice Sacco
Art Editor
Beatrice has always been drawn to art and wanted to become a writer since she was six years old. Museums are her happy places, where she finds solace, peace and continuous inspiration. She studied art in Italy, and then began a love story with Berlin and its mesmerizing vibe. She is now a journalist specialised in contemporary art, following her dream and lifelong passion.

Josh Axelrod
Editor
Josh is a freelance reporter from the United States covering film and culture. Based in Berlin for the past two years, his writing has appeared in CNN, NPR, DW, Die Zeit, and other international outlets.

Tolga Ra
Marketing & Communications
Tolga fell in love with Berlin during his first visit to the city for Fashion Week. Formerly an Istanbul-based fashion and culture journalist and communications consultant, he has written for various international magazines, including VOGUE and L'Officiel, alongside his work in communications and content for luxury concept stores and jewelry houses. Now based in Berlin, he is responsible for marketing, communications, and sales operations, combining his passion for magazines and communications with his love for the city through The Columbist’s ever-expanding creative partnerships.
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