Every few months, our Networkers and Alumni Team sets up an event to bring together some of our over 500 Alumni living and working in Berlin. Our Berlin Sessions provide a platform to engage in discussions on a wide range of political, economic and cultural topics, fostering the exchange of ideas and perspectives. Besides encouraging dialogue, the events are a wonderful way to keep in touch with the diplomatic community in Germany’s capital.

February

The Berlin International Film Festival, also known as the Berlinale, is a premier film festival held annually in Berlin in February. It features a diverse selection of international films and attracts filmmakers, industry professionals and film enthusiasts from around the world. This was a perfect opportunity to invite our Berlin Alumni to one of the premieres. The group viewed the film „Disco Africa: A Malagasy Story“, a film directed by Luck Razanajaona. The story, which takes place in Madagascar, features a young man confronted with issues relating to corruption, political awakening and the legacy of colonialism while in search of a better future. After watching the film, the group was able to join in a Q&A session with the director and the leading actor.

March

In March, Diplomacy by Networking hosted a special session for Alumni at the Hamburger Bahnhof, a museum of contemporary art in Berlin, where guests explored Nadia Kaabi-Linke’s powerful exhibition „Seeing Without Light“. The artist with Ukrainian-Tunisian roots uses her exhibition to delve into the themes of censorship and political violence in Central Europe. One of the best known projects, „Blindstorm for Kazimir“ (2023), focuses on Soviet-era censorship of paintings in the 1930s. Our Alumni were welcomed by Dr Gabriele Knapstein, Deputy Director of the gallery, before receiving a guided tour of the exhibition, offering a deep dive into the complex intersection of art, history and politics. The event was a meaningful opportunity to engage with contemporary art while reflecting on significant moments in European history. After the visit to the gallery, participants were keen to grab a few drinks and continue their exchange.

June

In June, the Alumni Team cooperated with the Canadian Embassy and the MERLIN Verlag to organise an event on literature about and by indigenous communities. The German translation of the book „Elements of Indigenous Style - A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples“ by the Canadian author Gregory Younging sparked the idea of hosting a reading followed by a panel discussion on the topic. Dr Geneviève Susemihl led the discussion and highlighted the relevance of the issue in Germany, connecting it to colonial history worldwide. Additionally, the discussion was enriched by two speakers: Dr Katharina Eleonore Meyer representing the Merlin Verlag and Dr Seyran Bostanci from the DeZIM institute talking about ways to improve writing about indigenous cultures. After the discussion, the Alumni were given the chance to purchase the first edition of the German version of the book „Elemente Indigenen Stils: Wie schreibt man über Indigene und ihre Kultur?“ and mingle with the other participants.

Alumni Team