THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
This November, the city of Erlangen marks the 10th anniversary of the Black History Weeks (BHW), a festival dedicated to honoring and exploring the contributions of people of African descent. Launched in 2015 by Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, a former city councilor in Erlangen and member of the European Parliament until 16 July 2024, BHW Erlangen aims to raise awareness of Black history and experiences in Germany, while addressing ongoing issues of racism and discrimination.
Dr Herzberger-Fofana, a trailblazing figure, was the first Afro-German woman elected to a city council in Germany and later to the European Parliament. During her tenure, she was a vocal advocate for women’s rights, particularly for migrant women, and actively campaigned against female genital mutilation. Her exhibition, ‘Black Victims during the Nazi Era (1933–1945),’ will take place on November 23. The exhibition, which has been displayed at Howard University in Washington, DC, has toured several American universities since 2023. Recognized for her contributions, Herzberger-Fofana has received numerous accolades, including the “Helene-Weber-Preis” and, more recently, the 2023 “Peace, Inclusion and Diversity Award” from Howard University for her exhibition on Black people during the Nazi era.
Running from November 9 to 23, the 2024 edition of BHW will feature a diverse lineup of cultural events, including film screenings, panel discussions, and live performances. A highlight is the premiere of Sankofa, a documentary revisiting the stories of three Black German survivors of the Nazi era, first featured at the inaugural BHW event in 2015. The film includes reflections by contemporary Black activists on the significance of these stories in today’s context of rising global extremism and the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement.
The celebration will kick off in nearby Nuremberg with a vibrant evening of poetry and music, symbolizing the expanding regional influence of BHW. Prominent speakers will include Black politicians from German state and national parliaments, reflecting on both the progress and challenges of racial equality, as well as the implications of recent global political events.
With this milestone anniversary, the Black History Weeks continue to serve as a platform for reflection and action, fostering dialogue on the African diaspora’s past and present in Germany and beyond.
Vivian Asamoah
