It's official – we have a date for the opening of the Decolonial Memorial! After six years of hard work, the construction phase has begun, and the memorial will be officially opened in front of the Berlin Global Village on November 14, 2024. This marks a historic moment as Berlin welcomes its first memorial dedicated to decolonization.

 

Starting November 15, 2024, the artwork EarthNest by The Lockward Collective will be open to the public in front of the Berlin Global Village.

 

This date holds particular significance, as November 15, 1884, was the beginning of the Berlin Conference, where colonial powers divided the African continent among themselves.

 

The Decolonial Memorial EarthNest is an open, bronze nest that invites people to reflect on decolonial resistance. The memorial honors the nations and territories impacted by the violence of colonialism — both past and present — and invites to heal the deep wounds caused by our colonial history. It is envisioned as a place of remembrance and gathering. The artists, Jeannette Ehlers and patricia kaersenhout, imagine that residents and workers in the neighborhood around the Berlin Global Village will pass through EarthNest in their daily lives, sit within it, and engage with one another.

 

In creating this memorial, The Lockward Collective invited communities from former colonies to share their stories and experiences. Visitors will be able to listen to these powerful stories through an audio series accessible via QR codes and an online platform.

 

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.