ver four years, 250 artists, 2,500 representatives of cultural organizations, and 400 stakeholders from the cultural sector across more than 30 countries on two continents will work together to develop inclusive, sustainable, and participatory frameworks for collaboration between Europe and Africa.
DECONFINING seeks to forge new and equal cultural connections by engaging cultural practitioners, policymakers, and artists working in the fields of performing arts, media arts, and visual arts, alongside universities and audiences from both continents. The project aspires to create new forms of intercontinental artistic and cultural cooperation, contributing to a more nuanced, multi-perspective understanding of barriers within cross-continental collaboration. The overarching goal is to move beyond paternalistic and colonial mindsets toward a strong participatory approach, ensuring better access to information about intercontinental mobility and co-creation.
Developed by 12 partners from European and African countries, the project will be implemented by more than 20 partner organizations across both continents. Key activities will include:
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4 partner forums
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4 micro-conferences
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A platform dedicated to artistic mobility
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An interactive toolkit on international cultural policy
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The “DECONFINING” anthology
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Artistic productions (including performances, video art, and installations)
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20 podcast episodes showcasing (tandem) artistic practices
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Numerous artistic residencies
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A rich, publicly accessible digital archive
The DECONFINING partnership brings together cultural creators, research institutions, government cultural bodies, and NGOs to gather and complement specialized knowledge throughout the project. Additionally, International Organizations from Europe and Africa will actively contribute to the initiative.
The successful launch and funding of the project would not have been possible without an outstanding team of key players, including (in alphabetical order):
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Sylvia Amann – International expert (culture/cultural policy), former European Capital of Culture panel member, and thematic coordinator for urban innovation at the European Commission.
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Dr. Karolina Bieniek – Director of the Art Transparent Foundation, with over 17 years of experience in the non-profit sector and in Global South countries (e.g., Guinea, Namibia, Tanzania).
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Dorcy Rugamba – Writer, actor, theater director, founder of Rwanda Arts Initiative, and board member of African Capital of Culture.
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Dr. Thomas Engel – Project manager and director of the International Theater Institute Berlin.
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Mustapha Moufid – Head of Africapitales.
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Sara Božanić – Expert in audience development, communication, and dissemination.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has dedicated their time and contributed to making this project a reality!
