André kam mit bunten Haaren und jeder Menge Punk-Kassetten aus der westdeutschen Provinz in die Stadt. Und mit Punk im Herzen hat er sie auch wieder verlassen. André und Markus haben die Pyonen erfunden, die Crew hat es zu dem gemacht, was sie heute sind. Partyveranstalter, Wegbereiter, Realitätsfluchthelfer. André ist 2020 gestorben. Für die Pyonen ist es nicht möglich, André zu vergessen. Für die Anderen wollen wir hier seine Geschichte erzählen. Nicht nur weil er ein besonders empathischer Mensch war, sondern auch weil er das Selbstverständnis unserer Partykultur als synergiensuchende Szene, als Utopisten-Veranstaltung geprägt hat, und sicher weiter prägen würde.
Als er herkam, lebte er mit Markus und weiteren Freunden in einem Haus in der Rykestraße, wo es keine Heizung, keine Telefone gab, aber jede Menge Platz zum Quatsch machen. Ihre erste Party veranstalteten sie 1993 in der Lychener Straße 60. Sven Dohse war der DJ und Gianni Vitiello kam irgendwann vorbei und fragte, ob er nicht auch mal auflegen könne.
So kam es, dass er Jahre später vor Tausenden auf dem Karneval der Kulturen spielte, als die Pyonen mit einem LKW voller Boxen als Teil der Parade durch Kreuzberg fuhren. Sie verwandelten leerstehende Gebäude zu Clubs für eine Nacht. Eröffneten einen illegalen Club in der Schlegelstraße in Mitte, der von 1996 bis 1998 erst im Keller, dann auch in anderen Teilen des Hauses geöffnet war. 2001 eröffneten sie ihre erste Bar im Prenzlauer Berg, die Bar23. Außerdem betreiben sie mit der Tante Liesbeth, der Fetten Ecke und dem Böhmischen Dorf Kneipen, samt sperrmüllartiger Einrichtung, die von André auf Flohmärkten liebevoll zusammengekauft wurde. Dort saß er gerne mal als Kippendreher, Bierausgeber, Union-Fan, Kummerkasten und Tratscher am Tresen.
André und Markus waren mit die Ersten, die überhaupt Open Air Raves veranstalteten. Ab 1995 feierten sie ein kleines Fest auf einer Pferdewiese, das sie Nation of Gondwana nannten. Die Nation etablierte sich als Loveparade-Alternative. Doch anstatt sich nur im Eskapismus zu zerstreuen, organisierten und produzierten sie ab 1999 das Chaos Computer Club-Camp, wo sie den Hackern Party-Ästhetik und Gemeinschaftssinn beigebracht und im Gegenzug die Party-People mit den Utopisten zusammengebracht haben. All sein Wissen hat André gern geteilt. Er hatte immer einen Rat, manchmal auch ungefragt. Aber meistens hatte er sogar Recht. Wer kann gut mit Metall arbeiten? Wer macht gute Awareness-Konzepte? Welche Boxen eignen sich für eine Techno-Parade? Er hat am Telefon die richtigen Stichworte genannt, E-Mail-Adressen weitergeleitet.
Auch nach Grünefeld, dem Ort, wo die Nation sesshaft wurde, hielt André festen Kontakt. Als Junge aus der norddeutschen Provinz, wusste er, wie man kegelt, ehrliche Schnacks hält und trockene Witze macht. Das Festival unterstützt die örtlichen Vereine, spendet an den Kindergarten und integriert die Anwohner, die Essen anbieten oder mit der freiwilligen Feuerwehr die Gäste im Sprühregen duscht. André, der sich auf der Nation unter anderem um das Booking gekümmert hat und dafür unendlich viel Musik hörte, hat sich das Treiben aber meist gerne von etwas abseits angeschaut. Über Stunden saß er schweigend, rauchend, mit Bier in der Hand auf einem Sofa und betrachtete schmunzelnd die Tanzenden. Ab und zu einen präzisen Kommentar gebend. Ungeniert ehrlich, immer voller Achtung.
Denn er hatte Überzeugungen. Mit Sicherheitsleuten arbeiten, die in rechtslastigen Boxclubs trainieren? Lieber antifaschistische Strukturen nutzen. Frauen an der Tür und am DJ-Pult? Selbstverständlich. Waldstücke sichern, um einen Spanner zu überführen, ja klar. Kippenstummel von der Wiese sammeln, auf Sponsoren verzichten und die Kalkulation transparent machen, um auf Facebook umfangreich zu erklären, warum das Festivalticket teurer wurde. Das war ihm wichtig. Aber er hat keine große Nummer draus gemacht.
André ist im Alter von 52 Jahren gestorben. An einem Krebs, den er viel länger bekämpfen konnte, als so mancher Arzt gedacht hatte.
„Gib niemals auf und glaub an dich“, das war sein Motto. Und es bleibt unseres. Laura Ewert
Accessibility
We are continuously working on making the Nation of Gondwana more accessible. For more information, you can find our Accessibility FAQ.
Please send any requests, suggestions, or questions to barrierefreier@pyonen.de.
Arrival / Departure
Arrival: please check the drop down menu in the info section!
Departure: You must have left the festival grounds by Monday 15:00 at the latest!
Bike & Bike Stage (plus)
We offer a supervised bicycle cloakroom — tickets for the Bike Stage are available in our ticket shop. You can safely leave your beloved two-wheeled companions there until Monday at 12:00 PM.
This year, we're expanding our guided, collective bike tours. With the new "Bike Stage Plus" ticket option, not only will your bike have a secured spot, but a luggage transport service for both the journey there and back Berlin is also included — more info coming soon!
Booking
Booking for the Nation of Gondwana 2026 is complete!
Our address for booking requests is: booking@pyonen.de
Dear artists,
Please bear in mind that the musical focus of the Nation of Gondwana lies in the spectrum of electronic music. Since we always receive a large number of e-mails from you, we would like to point out in advance that we can not answer every request. Thanks for your understanding!
BOX Office
There will be NO box office & NO day tickets.
Not even for Sunday.
Camping
Camping is free and included in the ticket price. Those arriving on Wednesday will find the site closed. Please pitch your tents only within the designated camping areas to keep emergency routes clear and ensure fire safety. Tents set up in the forest or on emergency routes will be removed immediately by us (or the forestry office).
Cashless Payments
We have been using a cashless and anonymized payment system for several years.
There are two cashless containers available on the festival grounds. They are open from Thursday at 4:00 PM until Monday at 12:00 PM. At these locations, you can top up your chip using cash (this year available at one window only) or card payment.
In addition, you can top up your balance yourself using EC card payment at one of 12 self top-up stations. These are located at the lake area, near the Birkenbar, and directly next to the cashless containers.
You will also find a help desk at each cashless container for any issues related to your cashless chip. It is also the contact point for lost & found.
Refunds of any remaining balance can be processed via an online refund system. More information and the link will be available here after the event.
Car & Caravan Ticket
Just like on our planet, resources at NoG are limited. If you’re arriving by car, you will need a Caravan or Car ticket.
If you're camping in a car, caravan, or motorhome with a total length of over 5m and up to 12m, you will need to purchase a caravan ticket. This helps us better plan our (finite) camping area, as we’ve noticed in recent years that your vehicles keep getting bigger.
Code of conduct
Solidarity and respect for one another are our top priorities, even while celebrating! By purchasing tickets for Nation of Gondwana 2026, you acknowledge and accept this principle.
Confetti
No confetti!!! Also not the 'ecological' one.
Please leave your confetti at home – cleaning up the mess left behind after a few seconds of fun takes a lot of time and is very tedious.
Contact
Relevant contact addresses are to be found - here.
Dogs
LEAVE YOUR DOGS AT HOME!
NoG is a dance event for humans — bringing dogs to a techno party is, in our view, animal cruelty. Please find a dog boarding service and treat your beloved four-legged friends to a little vacation of their own. Anyone bringing a dog will be asked to leave the festival grounds.
To our mind this event is also not suitable for assistance dogs.
Drinking water
There will be two large drinking water stations. One is located on the event area in the back of the Wiesefloor.
The second is directly connected to the sanitary oasis.
Drugs
The sale of illegal drugs will not be tolerated. Dealers will be evicted immediately.
Entry & festival start
Entry starts on Thursday at 4:00 PM. The musical program of Nation of Gondwana begins at 8:00 PM.
Fires & Barbecuing
Open fires are strictly prohibited and will be immediately put out by the fire brigade.
Barbecuing is permitted in the area designated for this purpose by the fire brigade.
Food & Drinks
On the festival grounds, you'll find six bars serving up bubbly and chilled drinks at fair prices.
We'd also like to give a special shoutout to our Sober Bar — located just to the left of the Wiese main bar — offering a wide selection of non-alcoholic drinks only.
There will be a large variety of food stalls, with prices kept at a reasonable level. Most of the food on offer is vegan and vegetarian — but our friends from the volunteer fire brigade will still be firing up the grill with tasty regional sausages for the meat lovers among you.
Hazardous weather
YOU MUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SECURITY CREW!
In severely bad weather (with lightning):
- Exit the dance floor and festival site
- Stay calmGet in your vehicle
- Offer other festival visitors shelter in your vehicle
- Stay away from the forest!
- Help those in need or with injuries
- Adhere to any instructions from the organisers
Liability
Participation in the Nation of Gondwana is exclusively at your own risk.
We do not accept any liability for personal injury or material damage suffered during the event or when arriving or departing.
You must follow the instructions of the security staff, fire brigade or Red Cross.
Lost & Found
During the event, you can drop off found items at the Cashlesscontainers.
If you’ve lost anything send us an e-mail: lost-and-found@pyonen.de.
Important: Please state in the subject heading WHAT you are looking for, ie. “LOST: black rucksack of brand XYZ”. As we receive hundres of e-mails, this will help us to keep an overview.
We’ll need some time though to view all items…
Medical Aid
The Red Cross will be on site with a well-equipped medical tent, ambulance, two emergency doctors and paramedics, and will ensure the availability of medical aid.
Don’t hesitate to approach them or the fire brigade if you or someone else requires help!
No admittance to under -18s
Entry to the Nation of Gondwana festival is strictly limited to persons aged 18 and over. No exceptions. Entry is not permitted even when accompanied by adults.
This also means that the event is not suitable for children. Please arrange for a babysitter or grandparents and treat your kids to a weekend without parents.
Non registered shops & sound systems
Sound systems on the camp site and car park, as well as unregistered sales stands, will not be tolerated and will be removed by us immediately!
net music time
All in all, the total net music time at Nation of Gondwana amounts to over 70 hours!
The schedule is as follows: The first part of the music program runs from Thursday 8:00 PM until Friday 6:00 AM. The second part continues from Friday 11:00 AM until Saturday 7:00 AM.
This is followed by a 5-hour music break so that all reality escape helpers can rest and attend the ceremonial opening of the Grünefelder Women’s Choir at 12:00 PM.
Afterwards, we present continuous programming on four stages until Sunday 9:00 PM. The weekend then winds down together with a cozy after-hour until Monday 8:00 AM.
Parking
If you're arriving by car, you'll need a vehicle ticket. Anyone coming with a camper van or caravan must have a caravan ticket.Please make sure to follow all instructions from our traffic crew on site: entry and exit routes, as well as emergency access roads, must be kept clear at all times. Any vehicle blocking an emergency route will be towed immediately at the owner's expense.
The German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) apply throughout the site!
IMPORTANT: Parking is strictly prohibited in Grünefeld, Börnicke, and along the country roads! Cars parked there will also be towed at the owner's expense and subject to heavy fines.
Partying together
Solidarity and looking out for each other are just as important to us as dancing and celebrating!
By purchasing a ticket for Nation of Gondwana 2025, you acknowledge our code of conduct.
To us, partying together doesn’t just mean having fun — it also means respecting each other's space and being there for one another when needed.
That means: looking out for each other, being mindful, showing consideration, and offering help if someone needs it.
We expect everyone to engage with each other respectfully and consensually — only yes means yes. Please respect personal boundaries. Any behavior that goes against this will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the festival grounds.
Photo- & Film Policy
We prefer if you give your mobile devices a break for the weekend! Photography and filming are generally discouraged, especially in the dance areas and around the lake, as many of these recordings end up on the internet.
When people feel watched, they behave less freely, and we don’t want that.
We will confiscate professional camera equipment for the duration of the event!
If you want to take pictures, please limit this to the camping area and remember to obtain the consent of all depicted persons, respecting the personal and privacy rights of your fellow attendees.
Two teams from us will be roaming around to create photo and video material. Faces will be blurred. You can recognize the teams by their badges.
Somking
Cigarettes are fire hazards! Smoking in the forest and near forest areas is strictly prohibited. Please remember to use a pocket ashtray. Pocket ashtrays are available at the merch stand for a small fee.
Safer Space
Everyone is welcome at NoG – regardless of gender, skin color, sexual orientation, cultural background, or body type.
Discrimination and any form of assault will not be tolerated and will have consequences.To support those affected, our Safer Space will be available again this year – you’ll find it marked on the festival map.
You’ll also see members of the Safer Space team around the site in green T-shirts. They’re here for any and all concernsand are always approachable.
Let’s look out for one another — so that everyone can feel safe and comfortable!
Sanitary facilities
There will be a shower and 24/7 ceramic toilet area called the “Sanitäroase.”
In addition, you will find 65 plastic reusable seated toilets and over 30 eco-friendly dry toilets distributed across the camping and festival grounds. There are also 20 urinals for those who prefer to stand. These are cleaned on a 5-hour rotation. There will again be a separate FLINTA* toilet area near the Wiesenbar.
Near the Red Cross (DRK), there are two accessible shower and sanitary containers, along with 4 mobile accessible toilets distributed around the site.
Sunday Ticket
Whether Sunday tickets will be available will be announced in June.
Tags & grafitti-free-zone
Unfortunately, in recent years the toilets, decorations and equipment have been tagged and even spray-painted. Getting rid of the damage was expensive. Anyone caught doing this will be thrown out and charged for the damage caused.
Timetable
The departure schedule for the weekend is to be found here - Download!
Trash & Trash Deposit
Trash: There are trash bins all around the festival site. We are guests in nature and all equally responsible for protecting and preserving this ecosystem, so please make sure to use the bins.
Trash deposit: We only accept separated waste. This means bottles and PET bottles must be in one bag, and general waste in another. A bag containing only bottles will also be accepted as a valid waste deposit.
Attention: Waste deposit bags that contain both bottles and residual waste will not be refunded.
The waste deposit station opens on Saturday at 2:00 PM and closes promptly on Monday at 2:00 PM
Valuables
Unfortunately, there were some thefts again last year – please do yourselves a favour and don’t leave any(!) valuables behind in your tent.
Weapons & dangerous objects
Bringing weapons of any kind or other dangerous objects is strictly prohibited and will be confiscated.
In addition, there is the threat of a ban from the premises.
We will randomly check bags and vehicles at the entrance.
Working @ NoG
Dear reality escape helpers, our highly motivated team is still looking for helping hands for setup and dismantling. In return, you will receive one of the highly sought-after festival tickets. Apply by sending an email to tj@pyonen.de. Please include your full name and phone number. See you soon.
Wristband checks
We will conduct random wristband checks at the festival. Please make sure you don’t lose your wristband!
MIT DER BAHN
Viele Wege führen zur NoG.
Am schnellsten und einfachsten ist die Fahrt mit dem Regionalexpress von Berlin Hbf aus nach Nauen (ca. 30 Minuten). Von dort aus weiter mit dem kostenlosen Shuttlebus. Freitags zum Beispiel zu folgenden Zeiten: Berlin Hbf (RE8) – ab 10:25 – an 10:54
Berlin Ostkreuz (RE2, Gls 14) – ab 10:23 – an 11:21
·
stündlich
·
Berlin Hbf (RE8) – ab 22:25 – an 22:57
Es gibt noch weitere Verbindungen…
MIT DEM KOSTENLOSEN BUSSHUTTLE
Beförderung nur mit gültigem Ticket!
Shuttle – Zeiten:
Donnerstag
ab Nauen : 16:00 – 00:00 Uhr
ab Grünefeld : 16:20 – 00:20 Uhr
Freitag
ab Nauen : 10:00 – 00:00 Uhr
ab Grünefeld : 10:20 – 00:20 Uhr
Samstag
ab Nauen : 09:00 – 23:00 Uhr
ab Grünefeld : 09:20 – 23:20 Uhr
Sonntag
ab Nauen: 09:00 – 00:00 Uhr
ab Grünefeld : 09:20 – 00:20 Uhr
Montag
ab Grünefeld: 09:00 – 18:00 Uhr
Bitte verlasst Euch nicht darauf, im jeweils letzten Bus noch Platz zu finden.
Kurzum - lieber etwas eher aufbrechen!
MIT DEM BASSLINER
Neu im Angebot - Busfahrten direkt ab Berlin Ostbahnhof oder Hamburg ZOB auf den Acker!
Buchung & Infos direkt via basslinder.org
MIT DEM FAHRRAD
Die Anreise mit dem Fahrrad ist umweltschonend und kurzweiliger als ihr denkt!
Euer Fahrrad könnt ihr sicher an unserer Bike Stage - ehemals Fahrradgarderobe - abgeben,
hierfür benötigt ihr ein entsprechendes Ticket.
Routenvorschläge für Fahrradfahrer:
ab Berlin Gesundbrunnen
GPX, Komoot
ab S-Bahnhof Hennigsdorf
GPX, Komoot
GEMEINSAM MIT DEM FAHRRAD ZUR NATION
Oder reist gemeinsam mit anderen veloaffinen Parallelwelttourist:innen an. Für die geführten Fahrradtouren der bikeX Crew inkl. Gepäcktransport hin und zurück benötigt ihr ein Bike Stage Plus Ticket. Mehr Infos findet ihr bei bikeX hier entlang
MIT DEM AUTO
Westlicher Berliner Ring, Abfahrt Falkensee, dann über Paaren nach Grünefeld.
Google Maps
KFZ- oder Caravanticket erforderlich - es gibt keine Parkplätze in der Nähe!