Even dating has changed, Bruno says; he hears time and again about meetups where the blind date turns out to be someone ready for violence. It’s frightening. The fact that we know globally that being a queer person in love can be dangerous now also applies to the city on the Spree, a place Bruno came to for its safety.

“I’ve just become more careful,” he says, sitting somewhat helplessly in front of his large suitcase. A friend convinced him to leave the city with him and go to the Whole Festival, and now he is trying to pack. The Whole Festival is known not only for its special music but also for its warm, queer audience. “However, we should try to pack less,” his friend advises Bruno, laughing and pointing to the bulky suitcase.

A few hours later, the two are standing in front of the bus station, fully packed, with two nice backpacks beside them. Only their colorful socks perhaps betray that they aren't heading to the mountains, but rather what you see so often on our streets right now: when people in Berlin wait somewhere with luggage packed a bit too loosely, but with lots of stuff and a Decathlon bag, it’s festival time! “Celebrating together helps to leave grief and fear behind. To experience yourself differently,” emphasizes Bruno’s friend, putting on star-shaped sunglasses. “It will be worth it just for the looks alone, Bruno!”

The history of celebrating together, of great festivals, ranges from ancient religious rites and courtly pomp celebrations to the historical culture and music festivals of the 19th century, right up to the modern open-air phenomenon of the 20th and 21st centuries. In Germany, up to 2,000 music festivals take place during the warm months.

From so-called Kiezburns (like Burning Man, just not so far away), wild rock and rap festivals, to small parties in the countryside with overnight stays. “The main thing is to be under the open sky for once, looking for things in the tent, and no internet,” says Bruno’s friend. Bruno looks evenmore skeptical, wipes the sweat from his forehead, and is unsure whether his outfit will withstand the conditions; in any case, his shoes are already completely dirty.

But then, for Bruno, there comes that moment when everything is finally dragged along, set up, and put on. When the glitter is in place and the shirt covers little skin, and he stands in front of the stage with so many others. Then a short soundcheck, the lights dazzle for a moment, and finally, music… Suddenly it’s there, this feeling of being in exactly the right place at the right moment, with exactly the right people around you, and free: from everyday life, from world-weariness, from all the doubts, the searching, just dancing under the starry sky.

Three days later, after many thousands of steps, many cold drinks, strangers who smile at you kindly, friends who hug you; Bruno is on his way back, his heart full of love, not for “the one,” but for all of us. His feet are dirty, he will find glitter everywhere for a long time to come, but that will make him happy. Because in these hot summer nights at a festival, he could feel what we all know, but only sometimes forget in the hustle and bustle of city life, and what was written on the rocket at the very first Fusion: We are all stardust…

Ana likes to spend the balmy evenings on the couple's terrace; a small rose also grows there, Ana enjoys its scent and everything else. After all, it is summer in Berlin.