Dekoloniale: Erinnerungskultur in der Stadt

In the winter of 1884/85, representatives of the major geopolitical powers of the time convened in the capital of the German Empire, at the so-called Berlin Conference, to negotiate the division and colonial exploitation of the African continent. How can a decolonial culture of memory take root in the city that was the site of this momentous event? And how can a critical engagement with German colonialism be fostered—something that, to this day, has not occurred across large parts of society? Emerging from the Berlin pilot project Dekoloniale Memory Culture in the City, this volume provides insights into current debates on coloniality, the responsibilities that arise from colonial history, and the right to informed remembrance.

The Dekoloniale project involved the development of decolonial city tours, groundbreaking exhibitions, and powerful artistic interventions, all documented in this book. The contributions to this volume, from individuals and civil society organizations, some of whom have been advocating for a critical engagement with colonial injustice for decades, approach Germany’s colonial history from multiple perspectives. Placing a special focus on the history of Black resistance—on the African continent and in the diaspora—the essays, interviews, and rich visual material collected in this volume showcase how civil society, museums, and other organizations can work together on processes of decolonization.

Dekoloniale Memory Culture in the City is a joint project by Berlin Postkolonial e.V., Each One Teach One (EOTO) e.V., Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland (ISD-Bund) e.V., and Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin. The project is funded by the Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt Berlin and the Kulturstiftung des Bundes.