In this video, Prof. Dr. Martina Drescher and Dr. Oumarou Boukari talk about their research project "Health discourses as moral communication? Linguistic case studies from Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon" that they conduct as part of the Cluster's research section "Moralities".
The project examines manifestations of ethics or morality – two concepts we use interchangeably – in everyday talk by zooming in on health communication in Cameroon and Ivory Coast. It draws on constructivist and phenomenological conceptualizations of ethics by assuming that there are no moral phenomena as such, but that ethics is intimately tied to interaction.
More info on the project here: https://www.africamultiple.uni-bayreuth.de/en/Projects/Moralities/Moralities_Health_Drescher/index.php
On 13 November 2021, Prof. Dr. Ute Fendler and Prof. Dr. Clarissa Vierke invited the interested public to an exciting and eventful day dedicated to the Indian Ocean. Music, films, dances, photographs and poetry transported the audience to the East African region, whose artistic and medial forms of expression are often shaped by the beautiful landscape and maritime lifestyle in which they were created.
In the evening the event even saw the world premiere of filmmaker Harrikrisna Anenden's "Draupadi's veil".
This recording shows part of the event. The performances of musician Tao Ravao, dancer Luis Sala and a poetry performance of Abdilatif Abdalla and Clarissa Vierke.
The Postdoc Working Group's workshop in February was accompanied by a film screening of documentary "Need for Speed: African and Asian Students on Accelerated Learning at University of Bayreuth". The film explores the experiences of African and Asian students navigating accelerated learning programmes at University of Bayreuth, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. The film examines how accelerated learning impacts students' academic adaptation, career preparedness, and cultural integration. The screening provided a platform for discussions on inclusivity and the future of higher education in a rapidly evolvling global landscape.
"O sonho puído" is an expanded poem by the artist Deisiane Barbosa developed from performances, video art and urban interventions, with the participation of the group Marias da Ladeira, in São Félix – BA. It integrates the poetic narratives of the expanded book inventário /da ilha\ de Tereza, which
Deisiane Barbosa had been unfolding since the artistic residency for writers at the Instituto
Sacatar, in 2016. O sonho puído was edited from 5 actions between the cities of São Félix,
Cachoeira and Salvador – BA.
The project is part of the panel "Body as a medium" which will be represented at the 2022 Cluster Conference on Medialities.
This is a trailer for the film “Yabás: Mulheres do Bembé do Mercado” (2019) by Laís Lima.
In this film, Laís Lima tries to rescue the role of women who participate and sustain the tradition of Bembé do Mercado but who somehow remain in the background or “private spaces”. Nevertheless these women have an integral role in the rituals which take place during all the stages of the celebration. With Yabás, Laís Lima sought to give them a voice, recognition, and equal importance for the realization and preservation of Bembé do Mercado.
Laís Lima will take part in the 2022 Cluster Conference on Medialities.
To find out more about her work please visit: https://www.africamultiple.uni-bayreuth.de/en/Research/1research-sections/art_aestethics/Bembe-do-Mercado/index.php
In this video, Cluster co-spokesperson Prof Dr Ute Fendler talks with the renowned South Korean percussionist Chang Jae Hyo about his activities affiliated with the Cluster of Excellence. In July 2024, Chang Jae Hyo visited the Cluster of Excellence to perform on two occasions. On 14 July, he gave a concert at Kulturhaus Neuneinhalb called "Maum Percussion" and on 19 July he was part of the Africa Caribbean Festival of Bayreuth. Together with Tao Ravao, Childo Tomas and Matchume Zango he performed centre stage on Bayreuth's city centre.
In this video, Cluster co-spokesperson Prof Dr Ute Fendler talks with the renowned Mozambican bass player Childo Tomás about his activities affiliated with the Cluster of Excellence as well as his artistic vision. In July 2025, Childo Tomás visited the Cluster of Excellence to perform on 19 July as part of the Africa Caribbean Festival of Bayreuth. Together with Tao Ravao, Chang Jae Hyo, and Matchume Zango he performed centre stage on Bayreuth's city centre.
The interview “A Conversation with … Hugo Canuto” features a discussion between Ute Fendler and Adebanjo Baderin with Brazilian comic artist Hugo Canuto, who visited the University of Bayreuth in mid-May 2025 to participate in the workshop “From Oblivion to Memory: Transatlantic Memorial Echoes.”
During the conversation, Hugo Canuto reflects on the role of comics and visual storytelling in preserving cultural memory and reimagining historical narratives. Drawing on Afro-Brazilian mythology, history, and popular culture, he explains how the graphic novel medium allows him to revisit marginalized histories and highlight connections between Africa and the Afro-diasporic world. Canuto also discusses his creative process, emphasizing the importance of visual symbolism, mythology, and narrative experimentation in his work.
Find out more about the project "Black Atlantic Revisted" at the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence hier: https://www.africamultiple.uni-bayreuth.de/en/1_2-Research/Research-Projects/Arts-and-Aesthetics/Black-Atlantic-revisited/May-Exhibition/index.html
The interview “A Conversation with … Kangni Alem” features a discussion between Thierry Boudjekeu and Laude Ngadi with the Togolese writerKangni Alem, who visited the University of Bayreuth in May 2025 for the workshop “From Oblivion to Memory: Transatlantic Memorial Echoes.”
During the conversation, Kangni Alem reflects on the role of literature in preserving memory and confronting historical silences. He discusses how transatlantic histories—especially those connected to colonialism, migration, and cultural exchanges between Africa and the diaspora—shape contemporary identities and narratives. Alem emphasizes the importance of storytelling as a tool to recover forgotten voices and to bridge past and present.
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L’entretien « A Conversation with … Kangni Alem » présente un échange entre Thierry Boudjekeu et Laude Ngadi avec l’écrivain togolais Kangni Alem invité à l’Université de Bayreuth en mai 2025 pour participer à l’atelier « From Oblivion to Memory: Transatlantic Memorial Echoes ».
Au cours de la discussion, Kangni Alem réfléchit au rôle de la littérature dans la préservation de la mémoire et dans la mise en lumière d’histoires souvent réduites au silence. Il aborde la manière dont les histoires transatlantiques—liées notamment au colonialisme, aux migrations et aux échanges culturels entre l’Afrique et sa diaspora—façonnent les identités et les récits contemporains.
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Find out more about the project "Black Atlantic Revisted" at the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence hier: https://www.africamultiple.uni-bayreuth.de/en/1_2-Research/Research-Projects/Arts-and-Aesthetics/Black-Atlantic-revisited/May-Exhibition/index.html
The interview “A Conversation with … Kangni Alem” features a discussion between Thierry Boudjekeu and Laude Ngadi with the Togolese writerKangni Alem, who visited the University of Bayreuth in May 2025 for the workshop “From Oblivion to Memory: Transatlantic Memorial Echoes.”
During the conversation, Kangni Alem reflects on the role of literature in preserving memory and confronting historical silences. He discusses how transatlantic histories - especially those connected to colonialism, migration, and cultural exchanges between Africa and the diaspora - shape contemporary identities and narratives. Alem emphasizes the importance of storytelling as a tool to recover forgotten voices and to bridge past and present.
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L’entretien « A Conversation with … Kangni Alem » présente un échange entre Thierry Boudjekeu et Laude Ngadi avec l’écrivain togolais Kangni Alem invité à l’Université de Bayreuth en mai 2025 pour participer à l’atelier « From Oblivion to Memory: Transatlantic Memorial Echoes ».
Au cours de la discussion, Kangni Alem réfléchit au rôle de la littérature dans la préservation de la mémoire et dans la mise en lumière d’histoires souvent réduites au silence. Il aborde la manière dont les histoires transatlantiques—liées notamment au colonialisme, aux migrations et aux échanges culturels entre l’Afrique et sa diaspora—façonnent les identités et les récits contemporains.
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Find out more about the project "Black Atlantic Revisted" at the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence hier: https://www.africamultiple.uni-bayreuth.de/en/1_2-Research/Research-Projects/Arts-and-Aesthetics/Black-Atlantic-revisited/May-Exhibition/index.html
Interview “A Conversation with … Lobady Pérez” presents a dialogue between Ute Fendler and the dancer Lobady Pérez, who visited the University of Bayreuth in mid-May 2025 to participate in the workshop “From Oblivion to Memory: Transatlantic Memorial Echoes.”
During the conversation, Lobady Pérez reflects on the relationship between dance, memory, and history. He explains how movement can serve as a powerful medium for transmitting cultural heritage and recalling experiences connected to transatlantic histories, particularly those shaped by colonial encounters, migration, and the African diaspora. Pérez also discusses his artistic practice and the role of the body as a site of memory, where personal and collective histories can be expressed and reinterpreted through performance.
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La entrevista “A Conversation with … Lobady Pérez” presenta un diálogo entre la profesora Ute Fendler y el bailarín Lobady Pérez, quien visitó la University of Bayreuth a mediados de mayo de 2025 para participar en el taller “From Oblivion to Memory: Transatlantic Memorial Echoes.”
En la conversación, Lobady Pérez reflexiona sobre la relación entre la danza, la memoria y la historia. Explica cómo el movimiento puede convertirse en un medio poderoso para transmitir herencias culturales y para evocar experiencias vinculadas a las historias transatlánticas, especialmente aquellas marcadas por el colonialismo, las migraciones y la diáspora africana. Pérez también habla de su práctica artística y del cuerpo como un espacio de memoria, donde las historias personales y colectivas pueden expresarse y reinterpretarse a través de la performance.
Find out more about the project "Black Atlantic Revisted" at the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence hier: https://www.africamultiple.uni-bayreuth.de/en/1_2-Research/Research-Projects/Arts-and-Aesthetics/Black-Atlantic-revisited/May-Exhibition/index.html
The Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence has invited South African artist Christine Dixie to show her multimedia installation "To Be King" at Iwalewahaus. The artist based in Johannesburg set up her installation and celebrated the exhibition opening on Wednesday, 11 May 2022. The exhibition will run until the end of July. The interview was conducted by Nicole Klug.
As part of the event series "Afrikaleidoskop" Seydou Boundaoné joined the Cluster to present his film "Le Sermon des Prohpètes". In this video he talks with Prof. Dr. Ute Fendler and Marie Nadege Tsogo Momo about his film.
Seydou Boundaoné is a Burkinabe film director, screenwriter and producer. He made his debut in filmmaking in 2012 following a training on six episodes of “Noces croisée”, a TV serial by Credo Média. In 2012, he edited “Wam Peega”, a fictional film by Veenem Films before working as Chief operator on “Le piège de la passion”, produced by 3è Œil Production. Prior to “La colère des enfants soldats”, he directed and edited “Mémoires de célébrités” in 2012. In 2022, his feature “The Sermon of the Prophets” is World Premiered at Carthage Film Festival (JCC, Tunisia).
"The Sermon of the Prophets" is about Abdou Djamal, a 50-year-old leader of an armed group, who passes himself off as a gold digger and a devout Muslim. He lives confined to his home in a district of Ouagadougou, a small town on the outskirts of the capital. He only goes out to attend the mosque and a few social ceremonies. He is a strategist and a master manipulator.
Interview with Prof Dr Yacouba Banhoro & Prof Dr Désire Boniface Somé from our African Cluster Center Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
