We drove to Berlin with intentions of interviewing PJ Harvey for a soon to be revived German Arts magazine. In case you were unaware, Harvey has been quietly honing her  career as a sculptor with a taste for conceptual art. Through blossoming yellow fields of rapeseed, we listened to the wind chorus with Harvey’s new album, White Chalk.

Imagine our disappointment when a last minute change of heart leid our mission to question one of the world’s most universally-respected songwriters to rest.

Left with a day in the German capital and an unquenched thirst for celebrity, Provokator set out doing what every sensible, hard-nosed hack would’ve done –sightseeing (while the publisher went for a drink in the town) .

Alexanderplatz, the Berliner Dom, the monument to the Berlin Wall - all proved stark and informative. But, having fled from the busy tourist-heaving flurry of Prague, it was bizarre for your correspondent to find these sights comparatively devoid of life. Continuing on my trail, I headed to the location I’d hoped to see most: The Brandenburg Gate. As I emerged into the sunshine from Linden station I was greeted by hoards of people and a sky full of flags. A quick assimilation of surroundings – huge gate, Tibetan flags, soldiers, approaching limousines and the odd mention of a lama led me to acknowledgement: I’d stumbled on the Dalai Lama’s visit. A bizarre few hours ensued.

The Dalai emerged from his monk-mobile swathed in impressive robes. Paying tribute to those who’d lost their lives in the Chinese earthquakes and imploring the crowd to aid freedom in Tibet, he initiated the launch of several thousand red, blue and yellow balloons into the sun-bright sky.

Whatever stead you hold in un-elected leaders - be it the Dalai Lama or PJ Harvey (who that night delivered a set of perfectly-formed, individual songs worthy of her adoring following) – there is little more exhilarating than a bit of unexpected celebrity-hunting. 

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