The decolonial exhibition “WirStimmen! For Resistant Alternatives to the Development Myth” was shown for the first time from November 1-28, 2019 at the August-Bebel-Institut in Berlin-Wedding(Müllerstraße 163, 13353 Berlin).
The aim of the exhibition is to show the intertwining of historically grown, postcolonial power and domination relations, as well as to present networks and actors of resistance. The focus is on locating histories that have been overwritten, silenced, forgotten, or marginalized (for example, anti-colonial resistance). This is illustrated above all by video and audio material from a total of eight interviews with activists from the Global South and North. Their resistant, creative and empowering strategies as well as other examples of global, social movements should inspire the visitors to reflect and become active themselves. The statements of the activists were divided into 4 focal points at four stations each. The first station MYTH DEVELOPMENT delves into the causes and the ideological foundations of the idea of global development that determines life on our planet. Their effects in the form of exploitation, racism, destruction, domination, and theft of land and soil are illustrated in the second station DEVELOPMENT HERRSCHAFT. Since the beginning of the domination of the “developed” people have resisted it. Topic of the third station: RESISTANCE. Not only the resistance against the conditions, but also the dream of a better life on our planet is unbroken. At the fourth station, we learn how LIBERATION can look like and be realized concretely.
Exhibition: November 1 – November 28, 2019
Opening hours: Tue-Thu, 2-6pm, on request and on the evening dates 01, 07. November 14 and 28, 2019
Accompanying events:
Fri, November 1, 7–9 p.m. | Opening Reception
At the exhibition opening, some of the activists interviewed for the exhibition will share their perspectives and experiences on the topics of development and decolonization. Through concrete examples, we will learn about a wide variety of practices of resistance. Performer and artist Yili Rojas will present her installation “K,” in which she explores the effects of 500 years of colonization.
Featuring: Doğan Akhanlı and Lucia Muriel (glokal e.V.), Tahir Della (decolonization advocate), Yili Rojas (artist), Israel Kaunatjike (Alliance: Genocide Has No Statute of Limitations), Safter Çınar (union activist), and Aki Krishnamurthy (theater and dance educator).
REPORT ON THE VERNISSAGE HERE
Thu, November 7, 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Film screening and discussion: *
: “Namibia: Past. Present. Future”*
Many people are unaware that the first genocide of the 20th century—committed against the Herero and Nama peoples—was carried out by German colonists in Namibia. Filmmaker Nadia Alazaar speaks with Israel Kaunatjike about the historical significance of the demands for reparations for the genocide committed by German colonists in Namibia.
Featuring: Nadja Ofuatey-Alazard (filmmaker) and Israel Kaunatjike (Alliance: Genocide Has No Statute of Limitations), Doğan Akhanlı (glokal e.V.), Tahir Della (advocate for decolonization)
Thu, November 14, 7–9 p.m. | Discussion: “
” “Who Owns the World Today? On the Human Right to Mobility”
The discussion will focus on migration and displacement, self-organization, and participation, and will feature presentations on various initiatives and projects. The discussion will be moderated by Adam Baher (glokal e.V.), who will present his role-playing game on displacement and migration (in cooperation with solar e.V.). The Latin American Women’s Network (invited) will present its initiative “Ni una menos” (Not One Less), and Jennifer Kamau from the self-help initiative International Women Space will also speak.
Thursday, November 28, 7–9 pm | Closing event
In our closing event, Fernanda Oliveira de Souza (project manager of “Decolonial” at the Allerweltshaus in Cologne) summarizes the exhibition and the importance of critically examining the myth of development. Our interviewee, Adelaida Bravo, comments with conclusions for daily political action and its connection to the current situation in Bolivia and Latin America. Musical accompaniment by Rosa Shakur (vocals/flute, drums, piano).
The exhibition takes place within the project connecting the dots! Sponsored by Engagement Global with financial support from the BMZ and from budget funds of the State of Berlin – Landesstelle für Entwicklungszusammenarbeit.
Supported by the promoter for postcolonialism and antiracism Tahir Della in the Berlin Promotor*innenprogramm.
