Revenge in Berlin: A cyclic pattern of actions leads to returns in the German capital city
In a quirky twist, Christian Kliem, the brain behind Berliner Bumerang, wouldn't dream of pulling out his smartphone to shoot a boomerang video – that's a topic far removed from his expertise. For the past two and a half decades, he's been crafting, selling, and teaching others how to toss the perfectly carved wooden trinkets from his Lichtenberg studio. "I'm terrible with computers," he jokes, "but I can craft a mean boomerang."
At 46, Kliem is a proud father of three, all of whom have mastered the art of boomerang throwing, even at three years old. He stumbled upon his passion for these flying objects as a teenager and, since then, has crafted an estimated 30,000 boomerangs. It takes him about 20 minutes to complete one by hand, but he can do it in 10 with electric tools.
The allure of the boomerang lies in its remarkable ability to return, a feeling that keeps Kliem coming back for more. "It's a fascinating sensation when you hurl a boomerang 20 meters away and, somehow, it finds its way back into your hand," he explains. "Once you've experienced it, you'll crave it again and again."
Kliem's romance with boomerangs began when he was a young lad living near the North Sea. He caught a children's TV documentary on the subject and found himself utterly captivated. His initial foray into the world of boomerangs was a challenge; information was scarce, and resources were limited. However, a book he managed to get his hands on taught him the basics, and he began experimenting with his own designs a year later.
His passion led him to study Wood Technology and Adventure Pedagogy, which he combined to develop youth workshops where teens could build and learn to throw their own boomerangs. Word spread, and soon he found himself teaching adults too – some of whom embarked on pocket-sized pilgrimages to learn the craft from him specifically.
At his workshops, Kliem balances instruction on boomerang history and the science of flight with hands-on creation and tutorials on technique. Before each session, he'll ask what other objects participants can comfortably chuck, like a frisbee or a snowball, to tailor their boomerang to their abilities. As they learn, he offers guidance and adjustments to help them perfect their throws.
Those seeking to dive deeper into the world of boomerangs can purchase them from Kliem at Berlin markets or directly from his website, where prices range from €39 to €99. Various shapes and designs are available, each affecting how far a boomerang can fly. Some boomerangs, like the classic inverted V and multi-pronged configurations with jagged edges, can be found among Kliem's display of custom designs.
Sadly, Kliem's beloved workspace, BLO Ateliers, is under threat from Deutsche Bahn, which manages the property. He's been a tenant since 2009, but their lease agreement is set to expire in July 2024, leading to ongoing negotiations over the future of the cherished cultural space. Repairs and heat have proven challenging amidst the uncertainty, but crafty Kliem has managed to keep his workshop fires burning with a woodstove.
The boomerang's roots run deep; while many associate it with Australia, archaeological evidence places the oldest boomerang - a 23,000-year-old mammoth tusk found in Poland - in Europe. Though boomerangs have been used for hunting and sport around the world, it's only recently that researchers have understood the physics behind their unique flight patterns – a complex dance of Bernoulli's law of aerodynamics, the gyroscopic effect, and human precision.
Kliem dreams of Hollywood shining a spotlight on the boomerang. He feels that a scene featuring a superhero wielding a boomerang, a la Legolas or Katniss Everdeen, could be the key to rekindling a broader interest in the object. Until then, he'll continue sharing his passion with the brave few who step into his workshop seeking to hurl history.
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- Despite his expertise in crafting and throwing boomerangs, Christian Kliem has little interest in other tech-focused areas such as home-and-garden or sports-analysis.
- In addition to the thrill of boomerang throwing, Christian Kliem also enjoys sharing his passion for this unique object by offering lifestyle workshops where participants can learn about the history, science, and art of boomerang crafting and throwing.
