The Ambassador of Cameroon to Germany, His Excellency Mr. NDOCKI, granted an audience to Professor Bonaventure SOH BEJENG NDIKUNG, Artistic Director and Chief Curator of the prestigious cultural institution Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) in Berlin (House of World Cultures). In 2023, he became the first-ever African leader of this renowned institution.

Under his guidance, the Haus der Kulturen der Welt develops and stages a unique program in Europe, combining discourse, exhibitions, concerts, performances, research, educational initiatives, and publications. The institution places reflective processes at the heart of its projects, creating new frameworks where global histories and cultures serve as resources for alternative narratives.

Accompanying him were partners from the Berlin-based cultural space SAVVY Contemporary, which he founded in 2009. A branch of SAVVY has since opened in Douala, while the original venue remains a hub in Berlin’s Wedding district. This space now houses participatory archives on German colonial history, a performing arts documentation center, and a library. It focuses on artistic practices and exhibitions that explore the intersections of Western and non-Western perspectives, establishing itself as a vital center for African culture in Berlin.

The fruitful discussions between the Ambassador and Professor SOH B. NDIKUNG covered various topics related to contemporary global and Pan-African cultures—foundational pillars of human existence. They emphasized that culture should serve as a space for encounter, exchange, and mutual understanding among the world’s peoples, helping to ensure lasting peace.

Finally, the idea of future collaborations between HKW and Cameroon was explored, with Cameroon potentially benefiting from the institution’s expertise, as many other countries already do. This partnership could further strengthen cultural diplomacy and artistic exchange between the two nations.