The author examines historical sites of enslavement and profit transfer, museums, monuments and commemorative ceremonies in France and Spain, Martinique and Cuba. In interviews in the European capitals and seaports, she has determined who has campaigned for or against the commemoration of the African prisoners. In the Caribbean, the author spoke with descendants of enslaved people about their memories of enslavement, experiences with racism, and local memorials. In this way, the legacy of enslavement and the racial inequality that shaped it came to light.
In the context of the cultural heritage boom, sites of remembrance related to slavery and colonialism have become arenas of social conflict. This became particularly evident in 2020 during the Black Lives Matter movement. During the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024), discussions in Europe, Africa, and the Americas have focused on how slavery should be remembered, who should apologize to whom, and who should compensate whom.
This book is intended not only for researchers and students of history and related disciplines but also for anyone interested in the decolonization of memory culture and historical politics.
Date: Monday, 14 April 2025
Time: 16:00-19:00
Location: Bonner Universitätsforum (Heussallee 18-24 · 53113 Bonn)
Program
16:00-16:10 - Introduction by Ulrike Schmieder
16:10-16:30 - Presentation by Stephan Conermann
16:30-17:00 - Short input from the panelists (Julia Binter, Magnus Ressel and Teresa Göltl)
17:00-17:30 - Discussion, moderated by Stephan Conermann
17:30-18:00 - Q&A with the audience
18:00-19:00 - Reception