A massive mural depicting a homeless man named Omar and his dog Megatatze now adorns the facade of Berlin's Central Advisory Center for People in Housing Need, serving as a powerful memorial to those who die nameless on the streets. The artwork, unveiled Wednesday, transforms the story of a man who lived without shelter for over 30 years before freezing to death six years ago into an unmissable monument to human dignity.
The enormous portrait, measuring approximately 33 by 20 feet, covers an entire side wall of the building on Levetzowstraße 12 in the Moabit district. Street artist Akut, whose real name is Falk Lehmann, spent a week creating the monumental piece, putting finishing touches on the painting just hours before its official unveiling on Tuesday. The 48-year-old artist from Friedrichshain based his work on a photograph from the series "No Room - Encounters with Homeless People" by photographer and artist Debora Ruppert.
"During his lifetime, Omar was homeless - someone whose misery many preferred not to see, whose fate frightened people," Ruppert explained. "But even then, he was a very loud, life-loving man who wandered through Prenzlauer Berg singing." Ruppert had originally photographed Omar for an exhibition about homelessness, capturing not just his appearance but his vibrant spirit despite his circumstances.
Omar Graziano, who came from a large Italian family, lived on Berlin's streets for more than three decades. On the night of October 31 to November 1, 2019, he froze to death at Arnimplatz in Prenzlauer Berg when temperatures dropped below freezing. He was just 43 years old. His faithful companion, a mixed-breed dog named Megatatze - so called because he had such large paws as a puppy - stayed by his side until the end.
"The image is meant to make visible the dignity of homeless people and remind us of their difficult situation," said Elfriede Brüning, director of the Central Advisory Center. "At the same time, we want to remind people of the goal to end homelessness in Berlin." The mural stands as a representative memorial for the many people who die alone and nameless on Berlin's streets without shelter.
Ruppert, who has advocated for homeless people through her photography for many years, described the artwork's deeper meaning at the opening ceremony. "For me, it's a memorial, but also a call to get involved and do something against suffering," she said. "How can it be that in such a wealthy country as ours, people die on the streets?" The project preserves Omar's story while sending a strong message of solidarity with those experiencing homelessness.
The mural ensures that Omar's memory and message live on in a way that cannot be overlooked or ignored. Perhaps most poignantly, the artwork honors a simple wish Omar once expressed during his lifetime: "I wish for world peace." Through this monumental tribute, a man who was often invisible to society in life has become impossible to miss in death, challenging passersby to confront the reality of homelessness in one of Germany's most prosperous cities.
