In what has been described as "apocalyptic", Berlin is currently experiencing a severe infestation of a toxic insect that has dangerous health consequences. The caterpillars in question have taken over parks, gardens, and playgrounds – and have even been spotted crawling through doorways in apartment buildings.
The Eichenprozessionsspinner, or oak processionary moth, is a nocturnal moth whose caterpillars infest oak trees and migrate in slow-moving "processions" to nest between April and July. The caterpillars have fuzzy, stinging hair that can cause skin irritation, puffy eyes, respiratory issues, and allergic shock, to both humans and animals. If these toxic hairs are inhaled, they can cause problems breathing. Symptoms can last up to two weeks.
HEIST is a worker-owned online magazine, founded by writers and editors who after years working across Berlin's media landscape believed something essential was missing.
Anyone living here has felt a growing gap between the city as it actually is and the version being served up by mainstream outlets. We experienced that disconnect firsthand. We saw political censorship shape coverage decisions and felt the weight of billionaire ownership land directly on our work. It reached a point where we could either keep going along with it, or try to build something better.
That's why we created HEIST.
And look at you: scrolling, clicking, squinting at blurred text just to get a little further. If you'll go to that much effort to read HEIST, you can surely give us one email. That's the whole price, and the rest of the story is right behind it.
Real journalism costs money. We commission the hard-hitting, well-reported, long-form work everyone wants to read but nobody seems to publish anymore.
The future of this city is still in the balance. We intend to be part of that struggle. We hope that you'll join us.
