The exhibition “Every Artist Must Take Sides – Resonances of Eslanda and Paul Robeson” will conclude at the Berlin Academy of Arts on Hanseatenweg with a festival on January 23 and 24, 2026, featuring discussions, performances, readings, spoken word, a choir concert, and a DJ set. The closing event will take place on 25. January 2026.
Image above: © Akademie der Künste, Berlin, Paul-Robeson-Archiv; Photo: Horst Sturm / Zentralbild
To conclude the exhibition of the same name, the festival on January 23 and 24, 2026, will be dedicated to the political, artistic, and intellectual legacy of Eslanda and Paul Robeson, two outstanding figures of the 20th century. Their commitment to anti-colonial liberation movements, equality for Black people, and internationalist humanism continues to have an impact today. Against the backdrop of increasing social inequality, growing nationalist tendencies, and cultural and political restrictions, the program explores how artistic practice can open up spaces for criticism, imagination, and solidarity. International artists, poets, scholars, and musicians combine historical perspectives with current issues—from Paul Robeson’s political voice and archives of resistance to Black feminist internationalism and the aftermath of socialist and postcolonial struggles in today’s artistic and activist practices.
Participants in the festival include Aida Baghernejad, Edna Bonhomme, Charisse Burden-Stelly, Vasyl Cherepanyn, Chor 360° & Kammerchor des ChorWerks Potsdam, Louis Chude-Sokei, Lynnée Denise, Heiner Goebbels, Sami Khatib, Valmont Layne, Robert Machiri & Eiliyas, MALONDA, Maxim Matusevich, Doreen Mende, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Neo Muyanga, Koleka Putuma, Shana L. Redmond, the Richardchor Neukölln, Armeghan Taheri, and Temye Tesfu.
On the final day of the exhibition, January 25, there will be listening sessions with Kirsten Reese in conversation with Marcus Gammel and with MALONDA in conversation with Vincent Bababoutilabo. The program will be complemented by a curator’s tour with Lina Brion and Anujah Fernando.
The exhibition “Every Artist Must Take Sides – Resonances of Eslanda and Paul Robeson” is on display until January 25. It presents materials from the Paul Robeson Archive of the Academy of Arts and juxtaposes them with works by 13 contemporary artists. Sound and room installations, video works, sculptures, collages, and photographs explore questions of solidarity, collective freedom, and mutual responsibility.
Festival program 23. – 24.01.2026
Friday, 23.01.
Ticket € 7,50 / 5
6.30 – 10.30 pm: Discussion, readings, spoken word (DE, EN)
With Aida Baghernejad, Vasyl Cherepanyn, Sami Khatib, MALONDA, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Koleka Putuma, Armeghan Taheri, Temye Tesfu
Saturday, 24.01.
Ticket € 12 / 8 (full day)
€ 7,50 / 5
1.30 – 6 pm: Lecture performance, discussions (EN)
7 – 10.30 Uhr: Music program with choir concert performances, concert performances, and DJ sets (EN)
With Edna Bonhomme, Charisse Burden-Stelly, Chor 360° & Chamber Choir of ChorWerk Potsdam, Louis Chude-Sokei, Lynnée Denise, Heiner Goebbels, Valmont Layne, Robert Machiri & Eiliyas, Maxim Matusevich, Doreen Mende, Neo Muyanga, Shana L. Redmond, Der Richardchor Neukölln
Closing event
Sunday, 25.01.
12 am: Listening session with Kirsten Reese in conversation with Marcus Gammel
2 pm: Curator’s tour with Lina Brion and Anujah Fernando
4 pm: Listening session with MALONDA in conversation with Vincent Bababoutilabo
Exhibition
Every Artist Must Take Sides – Resonanzen von Eslanda und Paul Robeson until 25.01.2026
With works by James Gregory Atkinson, Leila Bencharnia, Sonya Clark, Andrii Dostliev & Lia Dostlieva, Ângela Ferreira, Masimba Hwati, patricia kaersenhout, Ariel Orah, Kirsten Reese, Matana Roberts, Dread Scott, and Katharina Warda
Ticket €10/7, free admission for visitors under 18 and on Tuesdays
WHEN?
Dates: From 23. January until 25. January 2026
Opening hours: Tue – Fri 2 – 7 pm
Sat, Sun, holidays 11 am – 7 pm
WHERE?
Akademie der Künste
Hanseatenweg 10
10557 Berlin
