How does the past mold narratives of the present? This question is at the heart of a panel discussion featuring poets Lubi Barre, Muna Ahmed, and Salah Yousif. Ahmed’s poetry delves into heritage and women’s rights, weaving together personal and historical contexts to offer powerful reflections on identity and gender equality. Barre’s work explores themes of identity, displacement, and belonging, deeply rooted in her Somali heritage and cross-cultural experiences. Her poetry blends personal and collective stories, challenging mainstream cultural narratives. Yousif, on the other hand, incorporates historical and political themes, focusing on exile and cultural displacement, illustrating how past experiences influence creative expression.

Through their readings and discussion, Barre, Ahmed, and Yousif shed light on how the influence of the past shapes our comprehension of the present and our visions for the future.

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.