KOLONIALISMUS ERINNERN

The concept of colonialism's memory for the city of Berlin was developed over a two-year process by Dr. Ibou Coulibaly Diop in collaboration with civil society initiatives including Dekoloniale, Decolonize Berlin, ADEFRA, Korea Verband, korientation, and Afrika-Rat. It will be publicly presented for the first time during a three-day event at the HKW.

In August 2019, the Berlin House of Representatives decided to develop a city-wide concept for processing and remembering the history and consequences of colonialism in Berlin. The memory concept was developed in close cooperation with Berlin's civil society across departments. Two key participants in the participation process are the Coordination Office for a City-Wide Concept for Berlin's Colonial Past (Decolonize Berlin e.V.) and the five-year model project Decolonial Memory Culture in the City, funded by the Berlin Senate, along with other civil society organizations advocating for a shift in German memory culture.

How can a city-wide concept for processing and remembering colonial history and its consequences look? What does such a concept need to contribute to a civil society-driven, transnational culture of remembrance? Which stakeholders and positions need to be considered in developing such a concept? What are the particularities in a formerly divided city like Berlin? And what expectations exist for the city-wide Berlin memory concept in former German colonies? Together with Afro-diasporic civil societies, BIPoC organizations (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), and local and international scholars, activists, and artists, participants have addressed these questions in a participatory process.

Program:

Thu., April 25, 2024

In German with interpretation into English and French

3:00 PM: Registration and Accreditation
4:00 PM: Start

Welcome addresses by Claudia Roth (Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media), Joe Chialo (Berlin Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion)
Keynote by Sharon Dodua Otoo (Writer)
Speech by Ibou Coulibaly Diop (Project Manager Memory Concept) and Max Czollek (Writer)
Presentation of demands by civil society organizations
Performance by Raphael Moussa Hillebrand (Choreographer and Dancer)
Film screenings: "Berlin Erinnert" by Siska and "Within, Through & Beyond" by Nicolas Premier

Moderation: Miriam Camara (Project Supervisor Memory Concept)
Musical performance: Djelifily Sako (Kora Musician)

7:00 PM: Reception with refreshments

Fri., April 26, 2024

In various languages, with whisper translation if needed

10:00 AM: Excursions to Berlin memory sites by workshop groups
2:00 PM: Workshops at HKW:

Group 1: What should a learning and memorial site about colonialism in Berlin look like? (in German)
Group 2: The Decolonial Memorial "Earth Nest" in Berlin Global Village – Participation opportunities in the development process (in English)
Group 3: Anton Wilhelm Amo in Berlin – Biographies and memories (in German)

7:00 PM: Opening and visit to the exhibition "Decolonial Memorial" at the Museum Neukölln

Sat., April 27, 2024

In German with interpretation into English and French

11:00 AM: Film screening "Berlin Erinnert" by Siska
2:00 PM: Presentation of workshop results

• Panel discussion with Sima Luipert (Activist), Reneé Eloundou (Decolonize Berlin), Priya Basil (Writer), Max Czollek (Writer)
• Keynote by Luyanda Mpahlwa (Architect)
• Closing discussion with Luyanda Mpahlwa (Architect), Lerato Shadi (Performance Artist), Noa K. Ha (Urban Researcher), and Tazalika M. te Reh, moderated by
• Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung

Moderation: Miriam Camara (Project Supervisor Memory Concept)
Musical performance: Djelifily Sako (Kora Musician)

7:00 PM: Closing with music