Return to Sender

Artistic positions from Egypt, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco, Mozambique and South Africa

There is still a long way to go before Europe is able to look at the non-Western World without its colonial glasses. Perhaps the answer lies in repositioning Europe's role in the world, as voiced by one of Africa’s leading intellectuals, Achille Mbembe: “Europe is no longer the gravitational centre of the world.” As a counter move to the Berlin Conference of 1884, which paved the way for the political and economic devastation of the African continent by the European powers, HAU Hebbel am Ufer invited six artists to examine the foreign-dominated history of their home countries and the resulting consequences.

Over 9 days artists such as Bouchra Ouizguen, Faustin Lynyekula, Boyzie Cekwana, Adham Hafez, Panaibra Canda and Adissu Demissie presented their work and, as co-curators of the festival, invited an artist from their home country to take part in the festival.

Artistic directors: Ricardo Carmona (DE)
With: Marie Al Fajr, Panaibra Canda & Maria Tembe, Boyzie Cekwana & Nina Støttrup Larsen, Adissu Demissie & Junaid Jemal Sendi / Destino Dance Company, Dinozord, Ntone Edjabe, N’Goné Fall, Mona Gamil, Adham Hafez, Kapwani Kiwanga, Mehdi-George Lahlou, Faustin Linyekula, Sifiso Majola, Bouchra Ouizguen, andcompany&Co. and others.

Funded through the Fund TURN of the Federal Cultural Foundation and House on fire with the support of the cultural program of the EU.

Date

Festival at the HAU Hebbel am Ufer Berlin 6 – 15 Mar. 2015