AKWAABA - A pan-African festival

People in front of flags painted on the ground

AKWAABA - Africa in Cologne is a pan-African festival initiated by Bündnis14 Afrika.

The festival took place this year on Saturday, March 26, 2022 all day in the Kulturquartier am Neumarkt (Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum - Kulturen der Welt, FORUM Volkshochschule), Cäcilienstr. 2933, 50667 Cologne. The festival was organized as part of the International Weeks against Racism.

Under the motto "AKWAABA - Africa in Cologne: The Reappraisals", the event took place in collaboration with the Museum Köln, the Bürgerhaus and other cooperation partners.

This year's "AKWAABA" focused on coming to terms with historical racism (e.g. colonial places of remembrance or Eurocentric historiography) as well as current manifestations of racism. The focus was on racism and discrimination in the healthcare sector.

The organizers addressed the question of what demands the African community has on these topics and how they can be implemented.

The participants came from a wide range of fields such as politics, skilled workers and interested people. The participation of children and young people was expressly welcomed. The whole festival was accompanied by African music, lectures and exhibitions.

The content-related input from various workshops, the opening speech and the contributions from the panel discussion provided new impetus and suggestions for a change of perspective.

"The museum has no future without the participation of the African community" (Director of the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum - Kulturen der Welt)

The participation of the German AIDS service organization through the migration department gave us the opportunity to exchange ideas, network, present our prevention work and take a stand in the fight against discrimination/racism against BIPoC and other victims of racism. Racism is a violation of human rights and has a negative impact on those affected and their lives. The victims and their families suffer long-term from these experiences.

We were all of the opinion that racism is not compatible with a democratic society, and the Mayor of Cologne also supported this conviction. Only together is it possible to break down these deeply rooted attitudes!

Dealing with racism requires structural changes, as it is structurally anchored in Germany and appears in many areas and institutions of society.

The appeal to the white privileged society is:

  • Empowerment
  • Participation
  • Power sharing

Together for a peaceful, healthy and diverse society for the benefit of current and future generations, because racism is a trauma.

"If you are not uncomfortable, you are not listening" - No white Saviours NGO

Omer Idrissa OUEDRAOGO
Specialist for migration