Call Loneliness By Its True Name | Shared Table Dinner x Between Us 🍿
​A special Shared Table Dinner edition in collaboration with Between Us, a short documentary by a group of final-semester students at the Universität der Künste Berlin.
​We all know loneliness intimately—and yet we're afraid to meet it, let alone say it out loud. In a world obsessed with productivity and positivity, we've turned loneliness into a pathology, something to be ashamed of and hidden away. Which is partly how we got here.
​In other words, in a lonely world, only the lonely are sane.
​But here's the thing: when we turn towards each other in that loneliness, we slowly find our way back to ourselves and to each other.
​This Shared Table Dinner is a beginning for exactly that.
​The evening features the screening of Between Us, a just-produced short documentary by final-semester students of UDK Berlin, following three protagonists across Argentinian, Eritrean-Italian, and German heritage of arriving, searching, and finding belonging in the city.
​Through their stories, we get a glimpse into the inner worlds of people who have turned toward their loneliness — and through that, we're invited to meet ourselves and each other there too.
​The evening will flow something like this: potluck conversations as usual, followed by the screening (approx. 20 min), a reflection and sharing round, best enjoyed with some dessert.
​Come join us! Let's begin reimagining loneliness, and perhaps even start befriending it, by calling it by its name.
​"Don't surrender your loneliness so quickly. Let it cut you more deep. Let it ferment and season you as few humans and even divine ingredients can." — Hafiz
​Your hosts: Monika, The Oneliness Project, and the Between Us team: Amina Zaghloul, Daniela Araujo, Jeanna Lee Miller, Luciana Bassallo, and Maya Jolande Palberg
​🍚 What to Expect & Bring
​​Shared Table Dinners are experience-first gatherings—intentionally designed and gently facilitated, without a fixed script.
​​We come together around a shared table to eat, listen, and explore questions that matter. The evening invites presence, contribution, and meaningful connection while leaving space for what wants to emerge.
​​Please bring something small and easy to share — homemade or store-bought, both are welcome. Think: a salad, spread, soup, raw veggies for a platter, a leftover you love, or something sweet! 🍫
​​This is a vegetarian, alcohol-free dinner. We’ll have delicious Oolong tea and water to share. 🍵
​​💛 Contribution & Accessibility
​​Shared Table Dinners are carefully designed, facilitated experiences—hours of prep, cooking, conversation, and care go into making each gathering special. Your contribution keeps these dinners alive and accessible.
​​All contributions are shared equally between C*Space (our community home) and Monika Jiang / the hosting team.
​​10 € — Your Seat at the Table
You get a spot to join the conversation, share food, and be part of the magic. Minimal, but enough to keep the door open.​​15 € — Give Back a Little
Covers basic costs and some of the host’s time. You’re helping keep the lights on while showing up fully.​​20+ € — Sustain Community
For those who want to see Shared Table Dinners continue and grow! Your generosity sustains the space, the hosting work, and allows others to participate at lower contributions.
​​Choose what feels right, and know that every contribution is part of the community in action. 💛 Thank you!
​​About the Host(s) 🤸‍♀️ & Space
​​Hii! I’m Monika Jiang, a writer, curator, and community builder, and the creator of The Oneliness Project.
​​I started Shared Table Dinners as part of my exploration into loneliness and oneliness as personal, social, and cultural experiences, and how we can practice reconnection with ourselves, others, and the world. I’ve held spaces across global conferences and festivals, organizations and teams, as well as in intimate, small-group settings.
​​My gatherings are known for weaving together play, joy, embodiment, and depth of inquiry, using movement, reflection, and thoughtful questions. Take a leap of faith and join to feel for yourself!
​​C*Space is our main collaborator and community home of all Berlin Shared Table Dinners. As a purpose-driven creative hub housed in a former furniture factory in Berlin-Weißensee, C*Space cultivates curiosity, community, and regenerative ideas through co-working, cultural programs, and gatherings like this. 🟡