CULTURE & SOCIETY

Berlin-based independent bookshop Buchhandlung InterKontinental has once again been awarded the coveted Deutscher Buchhandlungspreis for 2025, marking its third recognition (previously honoured in 2021 and 2023). The award, announced on Tuesday (10 January), underscores InterKontinental’s continuing influence in Germany’s cultural and literary landscape. Located in the heart of Berlin’s district of Friedrichshain, InterKontinental has built a unique reputation as Germany’s …

When Berlin-based freelance journalist Wolfgang König recently travelled to New Orleans, he found himself drawn not only to the city’s famous music clubs and historic streets, but to a modest open space whose global significance is easy to overlook. In this reflection, König traces the remarkable history of Congo Square — a place where African traditions survived enslavement, shaped the …

Afrobeat pioneer and cultural icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has made history by becoming the first African artist to receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The honour was bestowed at a special ceremony held on 31 January 2026, ahead of this year’s Grammy Awards, nearly three decades after Fela’s death in 1997. Members of the Kuti family, including Fela’s children, accepted the …

Lace Relations follows an expansive journey that begins in the bustling textile markets of Lagos, Nigeria, moves on to embroidery workshops in Lustenau, Austria, and reaches back to the historical roots of Europe’s prosperity. Centered on women, power dynamics and the global textile trade, the film exposes the colonial legacies that still influence Europe’s relationship with its neighbouring continent. Sarah …

The Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) is one of the world’s most important film festivals, standing alongside Cannes and Venice as a key meeting point for global cinema. Held every February, the Berlinale is not only prestigious but also unique in scale: with more than 400,000 cinema tickets sold each year, it is widely regarded as the largest public film …

African fashion has flourished in terms of creativity and innovation in recent years, and is attracting global attention, writes Adwoa Owusuaa Bobie* in this study _________ African fashion has flourished in terms of creativity and innovation in recent years, and is attracting global attention. Designers and labels are churning out garments that reflect African cities and how they interact with …

When Ghana unveiled the international Geographical Indication (GI) protection for Kente on 30 September 2025, in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), it achieved far more than a bureaucratic milestone. The announcement marked a turning point in the centuries-long story of one of Africa’s most recognisable cultural symbols. Today, the impact of this UN-backed intellectual property protection is …

The Black International Cinema Berlin (BIC Berlin) marks its 40th anniversary this year, celebrating a legacy that has become a cornerstone of intercultural dialogue, artistic expression and social awareness in Germany and beyond. The milestone edition will take place from 21 to 23 November 2025 at the Marlene-Dietrich-Kinosaal in Rathaus Schöneberg, featuring a rich programme of films, exhibitions and discussions …

Germany’s beloved Christmas market season begins earlier than ever in 2025, transforming city squares into glowing hubs of music, scent, and joy. These festive gatherings are more than seasonal entertainment — they are spaces for community connection, cross-cultural experience and family fun. In the north, Hamburg leads the way, opening its markets from 24 November 2025. The historic Rathausmarkt Christmas …

With much-anticipated fanfare, Egypt has unveiled the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), celebrated as the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilisation. Located on the Giza Plateau, within sight of the iconic pyramids, the museum marks a monumental new chapter in how ancient Egypt’s legacy is presented to the world. Covering nearly half a million square metres, the …

Accra is gearing up to make history this December as it welcomes the world to the inaugural Talking Drums Festival, a 48-hour celebration of hip-hop, rhythm and African unity. Set for 29–30 December 2025, the festival will transform Ghana’s capital into the heartbeat of global hip-hop culture. Bringing together more than 40 artists from across the US, UK and Africa, …

Berlin – From 5 to 9 November 2025, the Messe Berlin exhibition halls will transform into a vibrant global marketplace, welcoming approximately 500 exhibitors from over 60 countries. Among the diverse offerings, the “Living Africa” segment in Hall 11.2 stands out, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of the African continent. Now in its 63rd edition, the annual event promises visitors …

From 11 to 16 November 2025, the Afrikamera film festival returns under the compelling theme “CHANGE”, curated to spotlight cinematic works that interrogate social norms, power dynamics and transformation across Africa and its diaspora. Hosted across multiple venues in Berlin — fsk, Brotfabrik Kino, Sinema Transtopia and City Kino Wedding — Afrikamera 2025 will present a carefully selected programme of …

A high-profile German delegation of companies in the film and creative sectors will visit Nigeria, from 3 – 7 November 2025, in a landmark initiative organised by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria (AHK Nigeria) together with SBS Systems for Business. Backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) under its Market Entry …

After a decade away from the recording studio, Senegalese music legend Cheikh Lô has returned with a masterwork. His new album, Maame, released by World Circuit Records, is more than a collection of songs, it is a profound statement of resilience, spirituality and Pan-African vision. Cheikh Lô’s last studio album, Balbalou (2015), brought him international acclaim and the historic distinction …

A growing number of nations are successfully reclaiming their cultural heritage, but advocates say former colonial powers like the UK and France must do more. A wave of restitution is moving across Europe, as former colonial powers begin returning looted artefacts and human remains to their countries of origin, according to a recent review by the Berlin-based advocacy group Colonialism …

The 22nd Afrika Film Festival Köln opened on Thursday, 18 September, to a wave of excitement, reaffirming its status as Europe’s leading platform for African cinema. The festival began with the critically acclaimed Kenyan documentary How to Build a Library by Maia Lekow and Christopher King, a moving exploration of how communities in Africa preserve knowledge and culture through education. …

The wait is nearly over: Africa Fashion Week Cologne (AFWC) returns for its third edition on 13–14 September 2025, bringing glamour, culture and creativity to the prestigious Sartory-Saal in the heart of Cologne. The move to this iconic venue underscores the growing importance of the event, which has quickly established itself as one of the most exciting showcases of African …

A new prize celebrating African cinema through African eyes is about to make its debut. The AFP Critics Prize is set to be awarded for the first time in Lagos. _______ In a bold step towards redefining how African cinema is recognized and critiqued, the African Film Press (AFP), a continent-wide alliance of independent film platforms, has unveiled the AFP …

The magic of cinema shone brightly as the Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) and the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA) concluded in spectacular fashion, celebrating two unforgettable days of storytelling, creativity, and cultural pride. A Grand Opening at Deutsches Filmmuseum The festival opened on August 8 at the prestigious Deutsches Filmmuseum with the world premiere of KARMA, produced by festival …