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Exhibition: “Bayreuth African Studies Reflected in Politics and the Media”
25th of November 2025
Africa in Bayreuth. Bayreuth African Studies Reflected in Politics and the Media
Exhibition dates: 25 November 2025 – 16 January 2026
Location: Iwalewahaus Exhibition Space, FZA, University of Bayreuth
Admission: Free and open to the public, no registration required
Languages: German/English
Bayreuth is now the largest centre for African Studies in Europe. Unlike cities such as Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, London, or Paris, African Studies in Bayreuth did not emerge from colonial predecessor institutions. This exhibition tells the story of this exceptional development—from its beginnings in the 1970s to its international impact today.
What began as a political project initiated by the state of Bavaria quickly grew into a space of intellectual exchange—and at times social friction. As early as the 1980s, researchers in Bayreuth established a principle that remains central today: shaping African Studies with Africa, not only about Africa. Today, the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence carries this vision forward as a global network for research, dialogue, and collaboration.
Curator, concept, research, and texts:
Dr. Ibrahima Sene, Chair of African History