📢 The Curse of Berlin – a conversation with Adekeye Adebajo
Episode 1, Apr 01, 2021, 12:15 PM
Through sorcery, we discuss with Prof Adebajo the history of extraction between Europe & Africa stemming from Bismarck's legacy and the Berlin Conference (1884-5).
Description
Through sorcery and extraction, the EURO–VISION series begins with Prof Adekeye Adebajo, Director of the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg. The conversation focuses on the history of extraction between the European and the African continent, which has laid the groundwork for the Critical Raw Materials Initiative to take shape. A key event in this genealogy is the Berlin Conference (1884-85), led by the Chancellor of Germany, Otto von Bismarck, during which plenipotentiaries of fourteen states — none of which were from Africa — assembled to discuss the partition of the African continent. After a century and a half ago this meeting continues to shape Africa's borders today, as well as its governance, its economy, its international relations, and the extraction of its materials. The latter of which is often either towards Europe, or to benefit European-owned companies. Based on Adebajo’s monograph, The Curse of Berlin: Africa after the Cold War, we delve into the extent of von Bismarck's legacy and the significance of this event in contemporary international affairs.
Through sorcery and extraction, the EURO–VISION series begins with Prof Adekeye Adebajo, Director of the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg. The conversation focuses on the history of extraction between the European and the African continent, which has laid the groundwork for the Critical Raw Materials Initiative to take shape. A key event in this genealogy is the Berlin Conference (1884-85), led by the Chancellor of Germany, Otto von Bismarck, during which plenipotentiaries of fourteen states — none of which were from Africa — assembled to discuss the partition of the African continent. After a century and a half ago this meeting continues to shape Africa's borders today, as well as its governance, its economy, its international relations, and the extraction of its materials. The latter of which is often either towards Europe, or to benefit European-owned companies. Based on Adebajo’s monograph, The Curse of Berlin: Africa after the Cold War, we delve into the extent of von Bismarck's legacy and the significance of this event in contemporary international affairs.
FRAUD (Audrey Samson & Francisco Gallardo)
Partnerships was produced as part of the 5th Istanbul Design Biennial — Empathy Revisited: Designs for more than one, organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, and curated by: Mariana Pestana, Sumitra Upham and Billie Muraben.
The EURO—VISION public programme has been commissioned by Arts Catalyst & RADAR.
The EURO—VISION public programme has been commissioned by Arts Catalyst & RADAR.
This public programme has been generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Council England and Acción Cultural Española.