Look at the Past, look at the Present, look Beyond Now

Join us for an exploration of the profound, and often overlooked, influence of pre-colonial African civilizations on contemporary art, education, and technology. This event, part of the Berlin Science Week's ART AND SCIENCE FORUM, challenges the notion that these fields are new to Africa by highlighting the deep historical roots of innovation on the continent, particularly from intellectual hubs like Timbuktu.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Timbuktu was a beacon of knowledge, housing prestigious universities and libraries filled with tens of thousands of manuscripts on subjects ranging from astronomy and mathematics to medicine and law. This legacy of sophisticated learning and technological prowess, exemplified by the simple yet powerful adobe brick used to construct its magnificent buildings , provides a powerful foundation for understanding Africa's present and future.

Note: Our reserved seats have now all been taken – thank you for the great interest! But not to worry: we always keep a number of seats available for spontaneous guests. So even without a reservation, you’re very welcome to come along.