To celebrate 10 years, 100 shows, and the 1,000 voices that have taken our stage since 2015, we dove into our archives and created this film. It’s our way of saying thank you 🙏 to everyone who has shaped THE BEAR—our volunteers, our storytellers, and our story listeners.

YOU are the EAR and the HEART of THE BEAR. ❤️

If this film resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who loves true stories.

And if you’re in Berlin, come experience a live show—we’d love to welcome you.

🎟️ Upcoming events: https://www.thebear-storytelling.de/

📌 Learn more about THE BEAR: https://www.thebear-storytelling.de/

📣 Follow us on Instagram: @thebearberlin

▶️ Follow us on YouTube: @thebear.truestories.berlin

Film concept & edit: Tom Meyer

TICKETS FOR THE DECEMBER 6TH OPEN STAGE SHOW

You enter the theater as a stranger and after an evening of true, personal stories at THE BEAR, you leave somehow feeling more connected to your fellow human beings.

How?

Through the simple act of listening

Expect laughter. Expect tears. Expect to feel less alone.

What is THE BEAR?

True Stories. Real People. Told Live.
A space where you can:
🔸 **SHARE**
Your true, personal story — live and without notes — on stage.
🔸 **LISTEN**
To engaging, honest stories that entertain, move, and connect.
🔸 **LEARN**
How to become a more powerful storyteller and confident speaker.
Since 2015, **THE BEAR** has been Berlin’s home for real stories told from the heart — now coming to Hamburg this fall.
No scripts. No props. Just you, the mic, and a room ready to listen.

Eve of the Champs 2024

On June 21st 2024, we celebrated the end of THE bEAR's 9th season of true personal stories with our friends, fans and family coming together at the beautiful historic Theater im Delphi in Berlin, Germany. Ten Favorite storytellers from the last 10 shows explored stories on the theme The Crack - stories that let the light in. Camera: Michael Rost.

Dare to do THE bEAR! Short film about our true, personal story open stage shows. Film from Tom Meyer; Camera: Daniel Gerlich

THE bEAR is my favorite thing to do in Berlin!.png

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide a dignified and professional setting for people to share experiences that are meaningful to them through storytelling.
Learn More

Our History

THE bEAR was founded in 2015 by Dyane Neiman. As founder and director of THE bEAR, Berlin’s favorite personal storytelling event, Dyane together with a passionate & committed team of volunteers including Hanna Martus, Michael Rost, and Deepanker Dua have created a stage for the sharing of over 850 personal stories to over 6,000 listeners in 9 years…

1000+

Personal stories

More than 850 storytellers have Dared to do THE bEAR. With the motto “Bear your soul” storytellers explore meaningful moments in their lives: sometimes funny, sometimes somber, but always touching and from the heart. We are all EARS at the bEAR.

7000+

Listeners

Since THE bEAR started in 2015 we have the opportunity to share stories with more than 5000 listeners “live” and even more in our radio shows with KCRW Berlin and our bi-weekly podcast True Stories Berlin.

11+

Seasons

THE bEAR celebrates its 9th season of true stories for the Berlin community and Beyond.

Our Shows

THE bEAR offers two types of shows: open mic and handpicked shows. Click the button below for details and tickets for our upcoming events.

Upcoming Events

Handpicked Shows

THE bEAR produces curated themed shows, where storytellers are selected and coached beforehand.

The handpicked shows take different shapes: it could be a collaboration with a festival, an organization, or graduates from our storytelling workshops. The Eve of the Champs is the annual show featuring all the Favorite Storytellers winners from the last 10 shows.

Open-Mic

Open stage evenings are full of surprises, entertainment and tellers who dare to do THE bEAR! Anyone can throw their name in the bEAR bucket. If your name is randomly chosen, you have 5 minutes of glory and fame to share your tale at THE bEAR. You may be chosen as the audience’s Favorite and perform in the annual Eve of the Champs.

Berlin-based musicians play “live” between the stories, and a show host takes care of the lively audience interaction.

“

Quote from the Audience

"Incredibly inspiring, moving, funny, delightful evening."

– Khushi Pasquale, storyteller / More from the audience

Check out our YouTube channel

See videos from past events Watch Here

Get Involved

The Bear is a non-profit organisation that is powered by a team of storyteller believers. If you would like to contribute in any way, by sharing your time and talent, please let us know!
See options below or find more information under “Community”.

Sign Up For a Workshop

The bEAR offers different types of workshops to the community. Together with their close

collaboration partner “The Moving Speaker” There is different options to practise your storytelling craft.

Sign Up

Volunteer opportunities

The bEAR is constantly developing and always need more volunteers in our community.

To see more about the opportunities for volunteering and helping The bEAR click the Botton below!

Learn more

Make a Donation

The bEAR is depending on the help from the community, sponsors and donations.

Help The bEAR make a more connected world where every story matters.

Donate