The construction phase has begun, and we are thrilled to announce the date for the opening of the Decolonial Memorial!

 

The artwork EarthNest by The Lockward Collective will be open to the public starting November 15th, 2024. This marks a historic moment as Berlin will finally have its first memorial dedicated to decolonization!

 

There are many monumets honoring colonial rulers, yet those who suffered and resisted are rarely commemorated.

 

The Decolonial Memorial EarthNest will be Berlin’s first site dedicated to decolonial resistance. The memorial honors the nations and territories impacted by the violence of colonialism — both past and present — and carves a space to promote a healing journey of the deep wounds caused by our colonial history. As part of the artwork visitors will have the opportunity to listen to stories and experiences from communities of territories having affronted German and European colonialism via audio clips.

 

The artists of the Lockward Collective imagine residents and workers in the neighborhood around the Berlin Global Village passing through EarthNest in their daily lives, sitting in it, and engaging with one another.

 

November 15th is an historically significant date, as it marks the beginning of the 1884 Berlin "Congo Conference," where colonial empires assumed the authority to divide the Afican continent amongst them.

 

The background:

The Decolonial Memorial was selected through a global, open, and anonymous art competition, by an international jury. The art competition and the creation of the artwork are accompanied by an extensive educational program discussing decolonization and innovative public relations.