Dear members of the UdK Berlin,

Once again this semester, we cordially invite you to take part in a wide range of workshops and events on the topics of anti-racism and diversity. Thanks to our cooperation with the International Office, we are offering exciting city tours that will open up new perspectives on Berlin for both international students and all other members of the university.

In addition to events on anti-discrimination and empowerment, a special series of workshops on neurodivergence and neuroqueerness awaits you. There will also be interesting lectures.

Drop by - we look forward to welcoming you in large numbers!

As places are limited, the events are primarily aimed at students. However, some places will also be reserved for employees. Participation in the workshops is only possible after prior registration, and places will be allocated according to the number of registrations received.

Registration for the events at: dib002_ @intra.udk-berlin.de

City tour: Critical museum tour in and around the Humboldt Forum
Date: 19 October from 14:00 to 16:00
Meeting point: The reconstructed Sanchi Gate on Schlossplatz
Language: English

Note: Be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour. The tour also takes place in case of rain; bring an umbrella if necessary.

Content: Discover the fascinating history of the Berlin Palace in a whole new way with our Decolonial Tour! Immerse yourself in history and learn more about the colonial history that is often overlooked or suppressed. Gain new insights into the impact of colonialism on our society today and be inspired by the diversity of perspectives. 
Facilitator:Dekoloniale Stadtführung

City tour: What moves the world? - Kreuzberg stories of migration, flight and resistance
Date: 27 October from 14:00 to 16:00
Meeting point: Baumhaus an der Mauer, Mariannenplatz, 10997 Berlin
Language: English

Note: Be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
The tour also takes place in the rain; bring an umbrella if necessary.

Content: Different people have come to Kreuzberg from the Global South in the past. They have helped to shape Kreuzberg through self-organisation, founded associations, occupied spaces and fought for participation. In this way, they have become an important part of Kreuzberg. Their work has made Kreuzberg what it is and left its mark on the urban space. In an interactive tour, we follow the traces and thus Kreuzberg's links with the world. We will discuss what effects they have on our lives and actions in the present.

Facilitator:Grenzgänge Berlin

City tour: Feminist struggles in Neukölln, yesterday and today
Date: 2 November from 14:00 to 16:00
Meeting point: Entrance to Volkspark Hasenheide (Hasenheide 101, next to the Sri-Ganesha-Hindu-Temple).
Language: English / German

Note: Be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
The tour also takes place in the rain; bring an umbrella if necessary.

Content: Which history(ies) and which people are represented in the urban space? Who do we think of when we think of feminist struggles? And from which perspective is history told? What do we find when we scrutinise dominant narratives? Self-organisation, fought-for street names and actions characterise the streets of Neukölln. In this tour, we trace these feminist struggles and their representatives and connect the past with the present.

The tour was created as part of the project Frauen* bewegen Stadt global and was funded by the State Centre for Political Education. It was updated in summer 2023.

Facilitator:Grenzgänge Berlin

City tour: Black & Queer Feminism in Berlin
Date: 09 November from 14:00 to 16:00
Meeting point: Königskolonnaden in Heinrich von Kleist Park in Schöneberg
Language: English

Note: Be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
The tour also takes place in case of rain; bring an umbrella if necessary.

Content: Come on a transformative journey through the inspiring legacy of Black and Queer feminists in Germany, the US and the African continent. Let's explore and understand Intersectional Feminism together to promote inclusion and break down barriers. Our guided tours also delve into the exciting biographies of activists such as May Ayim, Audre Lorde and Ika Hügel- Marshall. They were Afro-German visionaries who had a lasting impact on the human rights movement in Germany.

Facilitator: Dekoloniale Stadtführung

Introductory workshop: Neurodivergence and neuroqueerness
Date: 30. October from 16.00 to 17.30 ONLINE
Language: Spoken German

Content: The digital input provides a brief insight into current perspectives on neurodivergence and neuroqueerness and clarifies the most important terms. The focus is on how norm constructions are structured and how we can unlearn these perspectives. In addition, discourses from the neurodivergent community on invisibilities, challenges and potentials will be outlined. This will be followed by a short discussion.

Workshop facilitator: Lovis Diedering (B.A. Theatre Studies and Social and Cultural Anthropology as well as B.A. Social Work) currently works as a social worker in online crisis counselling and as an educational speaker for Autism & Queerness. Lovis Diedering is scientifically and politically engaged with the intersection of autism & queerness, queerfeminist discourses, queer constructions of norms and ableism. Previously, Lovis Diedering worked in theatre pedagogical empowerment formats, diversity training and queer online counselling.

Empowerment Workshop: Neurodivergent at the UdK
Date and place: 31. October from 16.00 to 19.00. Room 4, Hardenbergstraße 33, 10623 Berlin
Language: Spoken German & German Sign Language

Content: This workshop is aimed at students at the UdK who are neurodivergent or are considering whether they could be neurodivergent (self-diagnosis is sufficient). With the help of theatre pedagogical methods and methods of biographical writing, we will approach norms that you encounter, especially at the UdK, and create space for your thoughts and feelings about them. We will then look at what strengthens you. Alone for you, in joint solidarity and/or within the structures of the UdK. You decide what you want to focus on. Come in clothes you feel comfortable in, tested negative for corona and only without cold symptoms. We will decide together at the beginning when we will wear masks if necessary (masks will be provided). You will receive more detailed information about the programme about a week before the workshop.

Speaker: Lovis Diedering (B.A. Theatre Studies and Social and Cultural Anthropology as well as B.A. Social Work) currently works as a social worker in online crisis counselling and as an educational speaker for Autism & Queerness. Lovis Diedering is scientifically and politically concerned with the intersection of autism and queerness, queerfeminist discourses, queer constructions of norms and ableism. Previously, Lovis Diedering worked in theatre pedagogical empowerment formats, diversity training and queer online counselling.

Awareness Workshop: Neuroqueer 
!! New Date and new location !!: 15 November from 16:00 to 19:00. Room 004, Hardenbergstraße 33, 10623 Berlin
Language: Spoken German & German Sign Language

Content: Neuroqueerness gives a name to the intersection of queerness and neurodivergence. Neuroqueerness approaches replace expectations of neuro-, cis- and heteronormativity and offer self-empowering approaches. In the university and community context, they offer important tools for creating spaces of diversity. In this workshop, we will share tools and experiences and work together on how we could apply neuroqueer strategies. We will look at neurodiversity through queer perspectives and positions from disablity studies and the disability justice movement. 

Event facilitator: As a trans*non-binary and autistic bodymind, lotti Seebeck is interested in neuroqueer and inclusive artistic practices and has investigated neuroqueerness through performative strategies as a master's thesis in art in context. 

Workshop: Empowering writing for queer people
Date and location: 25. November from 14:00 to 17:00. Aula Raum 201 Hardenbergstraße 33, 10623
Language: Spoken German & German Sign Language

Content: Discover your creative voice in a queer safe space. In this writing workshop, you will process your experiences and emotions through creative writing - and celebrate your queer joy! Whether it's a short story, a poem or something completely original - here you can try your hand at expressing your queer identity artistically. No previous knowledge is necessary. Write in the language that suits you best and (voluntarily) share your texts in a respectful, empowering group. Intersectionally queer people (BIPOC, with disabilities, Muslim, Jewish, neurodivergent, fat_fat ...) are very welcome. Your stories have a place here!

Speaker: Alex Gastel (they/them) is an author and diversity trainer. As a trans*, non-binary and polyamorous person, Alex brings personal perspectives to workshops that create space for diversity and intersectional stories. Her texts have been published in various literary magazines and anthologies.
Instagram: @empowerndes_schreiben

Theatre workshop: ‘Body and Territory’ for BPoC and LGBTQIAPN+* people
Date and location: 29. October from 17:00 to 20:00. Room 151, Hardenbergstr. 33, 10623 Berlin
Language: English

Content: The theatre workshop is based on the methodology of the Theatre of the Oppressed, inspired by Bárbara Santos and the ideas of Lorena Cabnal, founder of Community Feminism. It provides a safe space for people of all backgrounds to explore themes of self-love, self-care and sisterhood. Through theatre techniques, including Theatre of the Oppressed, experiences are shared and pathways to social and political change are explored.

A central theme is the connection between the body, territory and self-care. The body is understood as a site of resistance and rebellion, imbued with Cabnal's words: ‘Bodies are the place where the effects of oppression are felt, but also where the energy of emancipation is rooted.’ The workshop will focus on ethics, solidarity and the exploration of self-care, particularly in relation to the Global South. Participants will be invited to discover new ways of solidarity and reflect on the connection between body and mind as well as social and ecological movements from a global perspective.

Workshop facilitator: Uriara Maciel was born in Bahia, Brazil, and currently lives in Berlin. She works as an actress and theatre maker with a focus on decolonial and feminist themes. She worked in the Theatre of the Oppressed with Augusto Boal (2006-2009) and since 2007 with Bárbara Santos. In 2017, she directed ‘Preta, Preta, Preta’. She is also committed to the LGBTTQI+ community and develops joint projects in Brazil and Europe. The film ‘Ash Wednesday’, in which she plays the lead role, premiered at the Berlinale in February 2023. She staged the plays ‘TV Las Estrelladas’ (2017) and ‘A not very human story’ (2019) for the collective Kakalaques. She works freelance for Ballhaus Naunynstraße, Kuringa Berlin and other directors.

Workshop: Visual Poetry, Visual Essay - Undocumented, Unlearning, Unrelated
Date and location: 6. November from 16:00 to 18:30. Galerie (Room 16), Grunewaldstraße 2-5, 10823 Berlin
Language: English

Content: The workshop ‘Visual Poetry, Visual Essay: Undocumented, Unlearning, Unrelated’ offers a space to write poems and essays. It creates a political environment in which participants explore practices of documentation and question how the process changes what is documented and what influence authorship has. The participants collect (un)forgettable (micro)stories and personal experiences. In the first part, the speakers will present their experiences with collectivity as a living archive, followed by contributions from Hyejeong Yun on visual essays and Yan Lin on her artistic practices.

In the second part, participants will write or ‘(un)write’ a letter, followed by a writing game on [(DIS)CONNECTION]. ‘Unlearning’ refers to Ariella Aisha Azoulay's “Unlearning Imperialism”.

Workshop facilitators: Yan Lin and Hyejeong Yun from the Asian Feminist Studio for Art and Research. The Asian Feminist Studio for Art and Research (AFSAR) is a space for archiving contemporary feminist discourse and artistic research. Within AFSAR, SiSalon (Poetry Salon) is a sub-group focussing on collective research in these areas. Through our vibrant online platform, practitioners from different disciplines and fields come together across geographical boundaries to immerse themselves in the art of ‘poetry-making’. This platform is our (non-)virtual community where we come together and share our passion for poetry.

Online workshop: Allyship! Solidarity against racism!
Date: 7 November from 17:00 to 20:00 ONLINE
Who should take part?: This workshop is aimed at white students and employees of the UdK Berlin.
Language: German

Content: This online workshop deals with how members of the white majority society can engage as allies against racism.

These questions will be addressed:
What does it mean to be an Ally?
How do I become an Ally?
Why do I want to be an Ally?
How do I speak and act in the context of racism?
What role does my white identity play in my commitment against racism?

Speakers: Aşkın-Hayat Doğan (he/she) was born in Berlin in 1980 and spent most of his/her childhood in Ankara and Istanbul. He later studied Turkology and Islamic Studies at the Free University of Berlin and works as a diversity and empowerment trainer, sensitivity reader, Turkish-German translator, author and editor.

Rita Zobel (she/her) studied Japanese Studies at the Free University of Berlin. In addition to her research work at the Berlin Social Science Centre, she completed her doctorate in economics at the Humboldt University of Berlin. She has been involved in working with refugees since 2016 and is active as a facilitator and diversity trainer.  

Lecture: Art in the #MustFall movements - an African queer perspective
Date and location: 22 November from 10:00 to 12:00, Room 150, Hardenbergstr. 33. 10623 Berlin
Language: English

Content: The talk draws on notions of queer heritage-making that argue for the position of diverse and dynamic creative endeavours that destabilise exhibition spaces and cultural space. Inspired by artistic interventions on university campuses in South Africa during the #RhodesMustFall movement and its aftermath, zethu Matebeni and Yvette Mutumba will discuss the possibilities of queer decolonisation efforts within the African landscape. The presentation positions queer art as a necessary caesura of the colonial gaze and offers possibilities for freedom and justice.

Guest: Prof Dr zethu Matebeni is a professor and member of the National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa Research Chair in Sexualities, Gender and Queer Studies at the University of Fort Hare. Matebeni is a driving force in African queer studies, which focuses on the intersections of ethnicity, class, gender diversity and sexuality in postcolonial Africa. In collaboration with activists, scholars and artists, she has conducted innovative research and interventions on queer issues, critical ethnicities and decolonisation and has been involved in the #RhodesMustFall movement and #AlternativeInclusivePride, among others. Matebeni's notable works include the volumes she co-edited ‘Queer in Africa: LGBTQI Identities, Citizenship, and Activism’ (2018), and ‘Beyond the Mountain: Queer Life in “Africa's Gay Capital”’ (2020).

Moderation: Dr Yvette Mutumba is co-founder and artistic director of the Contemporary And (C&) platform. Since 2020 she has been curator-at-large at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, was part of the curatorial team of the 10th Berlin Biennale (2018) and visiting professor for Global Discourses at the Academy of Media Arts, Cologne (2017-2018). From 2012 to 2016, she worked as a curator at the Weltkulturen Museum in Frankfurt am Main. Here she co-curated the exhibitions ‘Ware & Wissen - or the stories you wouldn't tell a stranger’, ‘El Hadji Sy: Paintings, Performance, Politics’ and ‘A Labour of Love’. The latter was nominated for the Global Fine Arts Award. Mutumba studied art history at the Free University of Berlin and completed her doctorate at Birkbeck, University of London. In 2020, she and Julia Grosse were honoured with the ‘European Cultural Manager of the Year’ award.

Installation and panel discussion
Today is tomorrow: Muslim interventions in art
Date and location: 15 January from 17:00 to 20:00. Room 102, Hardenbergstr. 33, 10623 Berlin
Language: English

Content: Muslims are collectively suspected of threatening society and the rule of law. They are seen as foreign, dangerous and backward due to their religion and culture. Myths of infiltration and excessive immigration reach right into the heart of society. Right-wing terror and everyday discrimination and hate speech threaten Muslim life in Germany and Europe. Anti-Muslim racism remains an underestimated danger. 

At the same time, there is a lack of recognition of the cultural contributions of Muslim communities. Islamic aesthetics are often appropriated without context, continuing a long tradition of cultural appropriation. How do Muslims view the local discourse landscape? What role does art and cultural production in the form of Muslim futurism play in this? Ozan Zakariya Keskinkılıç and Anja Saleh will discuss these and other questions at this event as academics, artists and cultural practitioners. They will reflect on artistic interventions and open up the space for performative practices. 

Speakers: Ozan Zakariya Keskinkılıç ist Politikwissenschaftler, freier Autor und Lyriker. Er studierte in Wien, Berlin und Cambridge und lehrt und forscht an Berliner Hochschulen u. a. zu (antimuslimischem) Rassismus, Antisemitismus, Orientalismus sowie zu Erinnerung und widerständiger Kunst- und Kulturproduktion. 2024 wurde er als Mitglied in die Berliner Expert:innenkommission gegen antimuslimischen Rassismus berufen. Im vergangenen Jahr erschien sein vielbeachtetes Buch „Muslimaniac. Die Karriere eines Feindbildes“ in einer Neuauflage im Verbrecher Verlag. Neben wissenschaftlichen Texten schreibt Keskinkılıç Kolumnen, Essays, Prosa, Hörstücke und Lyrik. Seine Gedichte werden in diversen Literaturzeitschriften und Anthologien veröffentlicht und in verschiedene Sprachen übersetzt, u.a. Englisch, Italienisch und Kasachisch. 2022 erschien sein Lyrikdebüt „Prinzenbad" im ELIF Verlag. Seine lyrischen Arbeiten wurden als Teil multimedialer Kunstausstellungen im Grassi Museum Leipzig, in der Literaturpassage Wien und zuletzt in der ACUD Galerie in Berlin präsentiert. 2024 wurde er für den Heidelberger Clemens-Brentano Preis und den Dresdner Lyrikpreis nominiert. 

Anja Saleh ist eine interdisziplinäre Künstlerin und Dichterin und Autorin von „Soon, The Future Of Memory“, ihrem ersten abendfüllenden Gedichtband, der im Juni 2021 bei Edition Assemblage in Deutschland erscheint. Anja Saleh, die Politik- und Sozialwissenschaften studiert hat, beschäftigt sich in ihrer Forschung und Kunst mit Kunsthandwerk, Erinnerung und Zukunftsstudien. 2018 gründete Anja Saleh das TAVII Studio, ein kulturelles Projekt und ein Fair-Trade-Schmuckgeschäft, das in Zusammenarbeit mit Kunsthandwerkern in Kairo, Ägypten, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso und Berlin, Deutschland, echte Handwerkskunst in den Mittelpunkt stellt.