CULTURE & SOCIETY

Acclaimed Gambian-British artist Sona Jobarteh is set to captivate audiences in Berlin and Bremen with her soul-stirring music on 29 May and 31 May, respectively. A master of the kora, a 21-string West African harp, Jobarteh is not only a virtuoso instrumentalist but also a singer, composer and passionate advocate for African cultural identity. Sona Jobarteh hails from one of …

A bold new chapter begins for Berlin’s literary and cultural scene this Friday, 16 May, with the opening of One More Chapter, the city’s latest BuchBar – a creative fusion of bookstore, bar, restaurant and cultural space – in the heart of Friedrichshain. Founded by Stefanie Hirsbrunner, Karla Kutzner and Venice Trommer, the trio behind the acclaimed African Book Festival Berlin, …

The Nigerian Awareness Day – WAZOBIA will once again shine a spotlight on the rich culture, history and diversity of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. Organized by ICDI e.V., the event, which takes place on 28 June in Potsdam, targets a wide audience including members of the Nigerian and African diaspora, cultural enthusiasts, and the general public in the Berlin-Brandenburg …

The annual parade of African music and culture – a vibrant celebration showcasing the continent’s finest artists and talents from the Diaspora – unfolds in May, heralding a season of cultural exchange and shared festivity. Germany’s summer calendar is adorned with festivals that pay homage to Africa’s diverse cultures. From the charming southwestern town of Emmendingen, nestled near Freiburg, to …

Joe Chialo, Berlin’s Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion, has stepped down in protest over deep and controversial budget cuts to the capital’s cultural sector. His resignation, announced on 2 May, comes after months of mounting criticism and concern from artists, institutions and the wider public over drastic reductions in cultural funding. Chialo, a member of the conservative CDU and …

Daniela Schwarzer, a prominent German political scientist and expert in international affairs, has been appointed as the new President of the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa), Germany’s leading institution for international cultural exchange. She will assume the honorary position on 3 June 2025, succeeding historian and publicist Ulrich Raulff, who has held the role since 2018.   Schwarzer currently serves as …

The number of married people continues to fall in Germany. According to a new report by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), by the end of 2023, approximately 35 million individuals aged 18 and over were married, accounting for just over 50% of the adult population. This marks a significant decrease from 1993, when about 39.3 million adults, or 60% of …

Funke Akindele has solidified her place as a cultural icon and an unstoppable force in Nollywood, a reference to the Nigerian film industry, one of the largest and most prolific in the world. The 47-year-old actor, producer and director rose to prominence through the sitcom I Need to Know (1998–2002). However, it was her creation of the character Jenifa in …

The term “biodeutsch,” loosely meaning “organically German,” has been selected as Germany’s ‘Unword of the Year’ for 2024. This designation (Das Unwort des Jahres in German)  highlights words or expressions that promote discrimination, undermine human dignity or mislead public discourse. The term was criticized for its use in dividing individuals based on perceived biological heritage, fostering everyday racism, and creating …

Somali-Austrian filmmaker Mo Harawe’s debut feature film, The Village Next to Paradise, is set for release on 30 January. This film, which premiered in the prestigious ‘Un Certain Regard’ section at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, has captivated audiences for its poignant portrayal of life in a Somali village under the constant threat of drone strikes. The Village Next …

  The Forum der Kulturen Stuttgart e.V., in collaboration with four (post-)migrant organizations from Stuttgart, has published a multilingual children’s book titled “Stuttgart, das sind wir! Eine Reise um die Welt” (Stuttgart, that is us! A Journey Around the World). The book will be officially launched at a public event on 21 February at the Stuttgart City Library. The book …

Berlin, Germany – 27 November 2024 │A new six-part documentary series, Warum verbrannte Oury Jalloh? (Why Did Oury Jalloh Burn?), premieres today on the ARD Mediathek. The series delves into the controversial and tragic death of Oury Jalloh, an asylum seeker from Sierra Leone, whose mysterious death in police custody, in Dessau on 7 January 2005, has sparked nearly two …

Egbe Isokan Omo Yoruba Germany e.V. (EIOYG), the umbrella body of all Yoruba associations in Germany, is set to hold its National Congress and Omoluwabi Award Gala Night in Koblenz on Saturday, 23 November 2024. The event promises a vibrant celebration of Yoruba culture and values, bringing together community members and distinguished guests from across Germany and beyond. The Yoruba …

The 2024 edition of Bazaar Berlin drew an impressive 35,000 visitors to the Berlin Exhibition Grounds from 6 to 10 November, offering a vibrant marketplace of unique goods from across the globe. With over 500 exhibitors representing 58 countries, the fair showcased a stunning array of handmade products, ranging from fashion and jewelry to home décor and artisanal foods. This …

The annual Afrikamera Festival returns to Berlin from 12 to 17 November 2024 with this year’s theme, BELIEVE, focusing on faith, spirituality and empowerment. Hosted across various venues – Kino Arsenal, fsk, Sinema Transtopia, Brotfabrik Kino and City Kino Wedding, the festival highlights diverse and thought-provoking perspectives from the African continent, exploring how belief systems shape personal and societal experiences. …

Many in Togo still romanticize the German colonial era. Could this be because it ended earlier than the British and French periods? A monument to German-Togolese friendship still exists and portraits of German colonial governors still adorn school buildings. And every year in November, on Remembrance Day, Germans who died in Togo are remembered and honoured. There are seven German …

On Saturday, 26 October 2024, Apostle Raphael Oyeijeh, a respected Nigerian clergyman and renowned teacher of the Word of God, will launch his highly anticipated book, ‘Audacity of Dominion’. The event, which takes take place in Agbor, Delta State, marks an important milestone in the Apostle’s ministry, offering readers a powerful message on faith, divine authority and mankind’s true identity …

Bazaar Berlin, the popular annual trade fair, will take place from 6 to 10 November  2024 at the Messe Berlin Exhibition Grounds. This year, the event will feature more than 500 exhibitors from over 60 countries, offering a unique blend of cultural diversity and craftsmanship. Visitors can explore a wide range of products, including handmade crafts, fashion, jewelry, home décor, …

The African German Association (AGA) hosted a public presentation and fundraiser launch for the African House Berlin project on Friday (18 October) at the iconic Adlon Hotel. The ambitious project, led by Michael Williams Iyare, chairman of AGA, aims to create a cultural and business hub that will promote African interests in Germany.   The event, described by Iyare, a …

On Tuesday, 26 November, the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Berlin will host a presentation of Henning Melber’s latest book, The Long Shadow of German Colonialism: Amnesia, Denialism, Revisionism. At the beginning of the 20th century, the German Empire was one of the largest colonial powers, yet its colonial legacy remains under explored in public consciousness. For decades, narratives of German …