On November 14, 2024, Berlin Global Village made history: with a grand opening ceremony, the Decolonial Memorial EarthNest was officially unveiled. This was a truly historic moment, as it marked the inauguration of Berlin’s first memorial dedicated to decolonial resistance. Created by The Lockward Collective, the EarthNest invites visitors to reflect on colonial history and its lasting impacts to this day.

 

The EarthNest Opening Ceremony

 

The celebration began in the afternoon with a ritual opening ceremony by Dwight Fransman and the official handover of the artwork to the stakeholders of Berlin Global Village.

 

Later, at the KINDL – Center for Contemporary Art, approximately 300 invited guests were welcomed to a festive evening program. The evening was hosted by moderator Johara Sarhan.

 

 Armin Massing, Managing Director of Berlin Global Village, opened the event by explaining the purpose of launching an international art competition for a Decolonial Memorial: “We believe that today, it is impossible to engage meaningfully with global North-South politics without confronting colonial history and its enduring legacies. Without decolonization, truly global justice cannot exist.”

 

Angelina Jellesen, Project Manager of the Decolonial Memorial, expressed her gratitude to the audience for their years of support for this challenging endeavor: “Every one of you in this room is responsible for the existence of this memorial today.”

 

Konrad Schmidt-Werthern, Deputy Head of Culture and Media at the Federal Government Commissioner’s Office, congratulated the artists of The Lockward Collective and emphasized: “I am confident that the Decolonial Memorial will play a crucial role in addressing our colonial past and its ongoing consequences for the present.”

 

Sarah Wedl-Wilson, State Secretary at the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion, also praised the EarthNest, calling it a step forward for Berlin’s evolving memory culture: “EarthNest is a powerful symbol of a new kind of remembrance in our city. With it, Berlin is taking a pioneering role in decolonizing public spaces.”

 

Akinola Famson, Chairperson of the Africa Council Berlin-Brandenburg and a representative of Berlin Global Village’s stakeholders, spoke about the project’s significance for diaspora communities: “EarthNest is a living memorial that brings people together and fosters decolonial dialogue. It’s a milestone for diaspora communities and provides a space for reflection, anchoring the issue of decolonization and North-South relations in Berlin for the long term.”

 

Behind the Scenes: The Making of the EarthNest

 

The story of EarthNest – from the initial idea, through an international art competition, to its realization – is as extraordinary as the artwork itself. During the event, Joshua Kantara of Kantara Productions shared a video trailer, offering a first glimpse of the documentary film chronicling the project’s journey. Simultaneously, photographs by Sedat Mehder, who has documented the Decolonial Memorial from its inception, were displayed.

 

Later in the evening, Maria Linares, artist and Deputy Chair of the Jury, Akinola Famson, and Armin Massing discussed their experiences with the creative and organizational aspects of the project. Maria Linares highlighted the importance of collaborating with artists from the Global South and reflected on how the jury process challenged participants to rethink their own perspectives.

 

patricia Kaersenhout, one of the artists from The Lockward Collective and winner of the art competition, shared her vision behind the EarthNest in an interview. She spoke about the inspirations and concepts that shaped the memorial and reflected on her collaboration with communities from formerly colonized nations. Kaersenhout expressed hope that the EarthNest would serve as a space for sustainable dialogue and healing from colonial wounds. She also noted how participating in the competition provided meaningful insights for her artistic practice.

 

An Evening of Music and Vibrant Connections

 

Following the official program, the event transitioned into a more informal gathering filled with lively conversations and inspiring exchanges. Guests enjoyed refreshments and mingled, while DJ SANNI EST set the tone for a celebratory atmosphere with her dynamic DJ set.

 

A Lasting Memorial for Dialogue and Reflection

EarthNest is far more than a traditional monument. It is a space designed to foster active dialogue about decolonization. The opening ceremony invited guests to understand the memorial as a symbol of connection, healing, and ongoing reflection.

 

As of November 15, 2024 – the 140th anniversary of the infamous Berlin “Congo Conference,” where European colonial powers arrogantly divided the African continent among themselves – the Decolonial Memorial stands open to the public. Nestled between the buildings of Berlin Global Village, EarthNest invites visitors to engage with its stories.

 

Through an accompanying audio series, guests can listen to narratives from diaspora communities, accessible via QR codes that link to the memorial’s website under the section “Stories.”

 

Film footage from the opening event can be found on our YouTube channel and Instagram page.

Photo credits: Sedat Mehder.