Aesthetic Thresholds and New Beginnings
Jean-Luc Raharimanana, Amanthi Harris, moderated by Jama Musse Jama
Reading, Discussion
Sa., 28.9.2024
16:00–17:30
Angie Stardust Foyer
In English and French with simultaneous translation into German, English, and French
Free entry
When we return to familiar places, have they truly changed, or is it we who have transformed? This question reverberates through the works of Amanthi Harris and Jean-Luc Raharimanana as they explore homecoming and identity across oceans and histories. Harris's Beautiful Place immerses into Sri Lanka's heart, weaving familial ties, loss, and self-discovery. Through Padma’s return to her ancestral guesthouse, Harris captures a nation in flux and the struggle to reconcile past and present. Raharimanana’s Revenir confronts Madagascar's tumultuous history, exploring colonial legacies, political unrest, and exile. With raw intensity, he invites readers to grapple with history’s enduring impact. These works push boundaries by offering fresh perspectives on identity and homecoming. They elucidate the intricate connections between individuality and collective memory, questioning how we navigate the space between ancestral roots and present realities in a world shaped by complex histories.
Due to the 2024 Berlin Marathon, between 27–29 September there are road closures in the area. HKW is fully accessible via public transport—S-Bahn (Hauptbahnhof) and U-Bahn (Bundestag)—and via bike or on foot.