BEATE ABSALON

What does the dictionary say? “A festival of uninhibited debauchery,” “a Bacchanalian celebration; a sacred ritual; a mystical religious service; a secret cult gathering at night,” “debauchery, revelry, licentiousness; excess, intemperance,” “collective acts that deliberately violate social norms.” And what does “orgy” mean to YOU? Whether it’s a state of blissful oneness, letting yourself go in a relaxed way, frenzied sex, or a playful interlocking of bodies—we experiment from one orgy to the next, exploring, losing, and finding ourselves 🍇

Are you unhappy with your sex life? Perfect! Because problems* can be a blessing and reveal something valuable to you—if you’d just finally stop wanting to get rid of them right away! When we listen to them, magic happens. In this workshop, our problems transform into our muses. Without sugarcoating anything, they inspire us to experience intimacy differently: more harmoniously, more connected, more freely. A weekend for individuals, couples, polyamory groups, or friends (and more). This way, for a life of love—and a love life—that goes far beyond sex :)

You’ve heard of speed dating—but what about speed fucking? We don’t ask, “Is there something going on between us?” but jump right to the question, “WHAT’s going on between us?” In this experiment, we’ll meet different people at random for 10 minutes at a time and figure out what “fucking” means to each of us—it could be thumb-fighting, a conversation, bondage, a massage, or penetration/circulation—whatever feels right and is consensual.

Maybe sex in your relationship has quietened, gone stale or become predictable. Maybe your body has changed—due to aging, stress, or having children—and intimacy feels unfamiliar. Maybe you’re used to hook-up intensity, and making love feels like it’s missing something. Or maybe you’re just curious about what else there is to discover…

Usually we tend to squeeze relaxing activities into our free time. We schedule yoga, drive to the sauna, force ourselves to read a book or meditate. Yet we still feel stressed. Perhaps the important thing is to do nothing. Let’s get drunk on relaxation.

Are you unhappy with your sex life? Perfect! Because problems* can be a blessing and reveal something valuable to you—if you’ll just stop trying to get rid of them right away! When we listen to them, magic happens. In this workshop, our problems transform into our muses. Without sugarcoating anything, they inspire us to experience intimacy differently: more harmoniously, more connected, more freely. A weekend for women, lesbians, inter, trans, non-binary, and agender people. This way, for a life of love—and a love life—that goes far beyond sex :)

Would you like to do something together? Get closer (again), nurture your bond, break out of stale routines, or have fun that’s meaningful? In our day-to-day lives, we often lack the time and ideas to do this. Don’t despair! We’ve put together two carefully planned days where you’ll explore, in a playful and embodied way, what it means to be in a relationship.

Usually we tend to squeeze relaxing activities into our free time. We schedule yoga, drive to the sauna, force ourselves to read a book or meditate. Yet we still feel stressed. Perhaps the important thing is to do nothing. Let’s get drunk on relaxation.

Are you unhappy with your sex life? Perfect! Because problems* can be a blessing and reveal something valuable to you—if you’d just finally stop wanting to get rid of them right away! When we listen to them, magic happens. In this workshop, our problems transform into our muses. Without sugarcoating anything, they inspire us to experience intimacy differently: more harmoniously, more connected, more freely. A weekend for individuals, couples, polyamory groups, or friends (and more). This way, for a life of love—and a love life—that goes far beyond sex :)

Usually we tend to squeeze relaxing activities into our free time. We schedule yoga, drive to the sauna, force ourselves to read a book or meditate. Yet we still feel stressed. Perhaps the important thing is to do nothing. Let’s get drunk on relaxation.

Do you need a break from sex? Do you feel uninterested, bored, or frustrated? Are you (or are you wondering if you are) asexual? Or is it just not worth the trouble? Abstinence could be like fasting, detoxing, or going on strike. Or like coming home. Or it could be incredibly exciting to resist temptation. Whatever the perspective—could there be abundance in abstinence?

An evening for tantric practitioners exploring the joy, the juice, and the sometimes itchy truths of this profession.

What about this practice, which is usually considered “real” sex? Do you like it or not—or does it depend? Let’s dive right in! And explore what “penetration” and “receiving” can mean beyond “penis in vagina,” because there’s a whole world of overlooked pleasures hidden there! Especially since the partner isn’t just passively penetrated—there’s active enveloping, holding, circling, enveloping…! We just don’t talk about this nearly often enough.
It gets physical, emotional, and playful. With or without touch, with or without genitals, always consensually. Humor, curiosity, and slowing down create a space where new forms of connection can be experienced.

Do you need a break from sex? Do you feel uninterested, bored, or frustrated? Are you (or are you wondering if you are) asexual? Or is it just not worth the trouble? Abstinence could be like fasting, detoxing, or going on strike. Or like coming home. Or it could be incredibly exciting to resist temptation. Whatever the perspective—could there be abundance in abstinence?

A retreat in the mountains, featuring massage, movement, breathwork, theater, and discussion—inspiration for soft, sensual, and intimate bodywork encounters. Using tantra massage as a springboard into the awkward, complex world of human relationships, we welcome you to TWAPOS.

Usually we tend to squeeze relaxing activities into our free time. We schedule yoga, drive to the sauna, force ourselves to read a book or meditate. Yet we still feel stressed. Perhaps the important thing is to do nothing. Let’s get drunk on relaxation.

Maybe you’re curious to see what happens if you take a break from sex. Maybe you’re fed up with sex—uninterested, bored, frustrated? Maybe you’re wondering if you’re asexual? Or is it just not worth the trouble? Abstinence could be like fasting. Or like going on strike. Or like coming home. Or it could be incredibly hot to resist temptation. Whatever your perspective—there’s abundance in abstinence.

When was the last time someone really paid attention to your mouth... during a massage? Physically, the mouth and face are full of nerve endings and are highly sensitive. Socially, the face carries a lot of emotional weight. We use it to communicate, we try to control it, and some people cover it with makeup and/or styled facial hair. And our mouth is this fascinating gateway to our inner selves, a deliciously wet cave with…

When was the last time someone really paid attention to your mouth... during a massage? Physically, the mouth and face are full of nerve endings and are highly sensitive. Socially, the face carries a lot of emotional weight. We use it to communicate, we try to control it, and some people cover it with makeup and/or styled facial hair. And our mouth is this fascinating gateway to our inner selves, a deliciously wet cave with…

"A festival of unbridled debauchery," says the Duden, "a nocturnal celebration of Bacchus; a sacred ritual; a mystical religious service; a secret cult gathering at night,” says the etymological dictionary; “debauchery, revelry, licentiousness; (formal) excess, intemperance,” says the thesaurus; “collective acts that deliberately violate social norms,” says the Wikipedia entry. An orgy! So steeped in legend, and yet so simply beautiful—or even quite crude. In any case, vast numbers of nebulous notions swirl through our cultural unconscious about what an orgy might be. It’s no wonder it’s on so many people’s bucket lists. Wait no longer! Our three-day…

It’s going to be a cozy evening at Juicy! We’re thrilled that Beate Absalon will be visiting the Juicy sex shop to read from her book *Not Giving a Fuck: On Unfulfilling Sex and Sexless Desire* and lead a discussion.

Cultural studies scholar and workshop leader Beate Absalon will read from her book "Not giving a f*ck" and invite attendees to talk openly about sex and our struggles with it in a relaxed atmosphere.

A supportive discussion group where we can talk about things that make us uncomfortable, ask difficult questions that seem almost off-limits, and breathe a sigh of relief because we’re not alone—and because we’re not just broken, uptight, or otherwise “wrong.” It’s going to go beautifully wrong.

"A festival of unbridled debauchery," says the Duden, "a nocturnal celebration of Bacchus; a sacred ritual; a mystical religious service; a secret cult gathering at night,” says the etymological dictionary; “debauchery, revelry, licentiousness; (formal) excess, intemperance,” says the thesaurus; “collective acts that deliberately violate social norms,” says the Wikipedia entry. An orgy! So steeped in legend, and yet so simply beautiful—or even quite crude. In any case, vast numbers of nebulous notions swirl through our cultural unconscious about what an orgy might be. It’s no wonder it’s on so many people’s bucket lists. Wait no longer! Our three-day…

Intimacy with many—a luxurious abundance of bodies, glances, and touches—ecstatic loss of self—an orgy… Anyone who has ever ventured into such a situation knows how multifaceted and unpredictable such an experience can be. If it’s not always easy even with just two people, how can it possibly work with more? What desires and needs, hopes and expectations do I bring with me, and how do I deal with them? And what about those of the others—and all those bodies?

In her search for ways to relieve stress, Beate Absalon takes a culturally and historically grounded look at the secluded—yet only seemingly opposed—side of sexuality: lack of desire, asexuality, celibacy, and dysfunction—all of which delightfully refuse to submit to the obligation of sexual service and open up unprecedented scope for exploration. Beate reads from her book, and we discuss what we’ve heard from her.

Bodies…what can they do? Bring your body to us and we’ll find out. Using tantra massage as a springboard into the awkward, complex world of human relationships, we help you expand your carnal knowledge. This intense form of intimacy—a massage technique performed and received in the nude—holds so much human potential. This luxurious act gives equal attention to all parts of the body, allowing space for whatever wants to emerge.  With care and attention, we guide you through movement and meditative mornings that bring you into closer contact with yourself. From there, with humility and humor, we ask the question: Is today’s erogenous zone your eyelashes or your ears, your feet or your asshole? Do you need a break or a debate, a hug or a slap in the face?  

We’re thrilled that Beata will be presenting her book *NOT GIVING A FUCK* and reading from it at the QueerBooks bookstore in Bern! But above all, we’d love to chat with you—after all, this topic thrives on our many personal experiences with sexual performance pressure and our erotic experiments in delightfully refusing to comply.

Touch & Play is a sex-positive and BDSM-friendly Contact Improvisation Festival in Bavaria, Germany. This year’s theme: Authenticity is a confusing labyrinth. What seems shallow at first may reveal profound truths, while what appears genuine can turn out to be a mere facade. So is the unperformed always already performed? What does it mean to “fake it until you make it”? And if all the world’s a stage—how can we enjoy the show without falling into the traps of harmful illusions? When am I truly myself? What do you truly desire? How can we connect on a deeper level?

Bodies and sex are unruly. They don’t always do what’s asked of them. They go limp. They’re not in the mood. They shut down. Closed. Nope. No thanks! You can kiss my—ass! That’s what we’ll be exploring this evening, as we view so-called “dysfunctions” as delightful improprieties. As clever refusals to perform sexual duties. Beate Absalon and Eva Hanson will guide us through this evening, where we can occasionally let things slide. In an atmosphere of cozy laziness, we’ll hear readings from Beate’s debut non-fiction book *Not Giving a Fuck: On Listless Sex and Sexless Lust* and Eva’s response, *Ode to the Flaccid Penis*…