Remembering together. Experiencing together. Creating change together.
Windhoek and Berlin were celebrating 25 years of being twin cities in 2025 – an anniversary that represents an active culture of remembrance and future-orientated collaboration. Based on Germany’s historical responsibility towards Namibia, over 25 years a partnership has developed that is rooted in many different relationships, in areas such as education, culture and research, and shapes their shared perspectives. The anniversary weeks, which were organised in each city, gave visibility to these connections and invited the public to a programme of exhibitions, music theatre, guided tours, discussion formats, workshops and much more that provided new impetus.
The anniversary programme focused on remembrance culture and civil society dialogue, contemporary art, culture and music as well as the creative industries, the sciences and archives. It was based on innovative and sustainable approaches and formats, as well as the close cooperation between various partners and stakeholders in both cities.
Anniversary Weeks in Windhoek and Berlin
The anniversary weeks in Windhoek and Berlin were characterised by diverse connections.
The main focus was on two important joint projects: the music theatre production “People of Song”, which is based on a long-term German-Namibian partnership and brings together artists from both countries, celebrated its world premiere on the 17th of October 2025 at the National Theatre of Namibia and was performed from the 21st to the 23rd of November 2025 at the Humboldt Forum in Berlin. Also, multidisciplinary artist Vitjitua Ndjiharine was presenting her work in both Windhoek and Berlin with a video installation – this intervention in urban space brought an artistic exploration of the city partnership to the cities’ wider communities.
The celebrations kicked off with the anniversary week that took place in Windhoek from the 14th to the 19th of October. Its main focus was on participatory projects that engaged in dialogue about future potential against the backdrop of an active culture of remembrance and the possibilities for working together productively as twin cities. The week included an official delegation visit with Kai Wegner, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, and Sarah Wedl-Wilson, Berlin Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion. You can find the Windhoek programme and a photo recap of the week here.
“25 Years of Twin Cities Windhoek – Berlin” celebrates the existing cooperative projects and networks that have been developed over the last 25 years between Windhoek and Berlin, but at the same time provides new impetus and initiates new collaborations. Taking in the past, present and future, it’s all about growing a vibrant and sustainable partnership together.
Events Surrounding the Anniversary
The Berlin anniversary programme celebrating “25 Years of Twin Cities Windhoek – Berlin” has been curated and organised by Kulturprojekte Berlin, on the initiative of the Governing Mayor of Berlin – Senate Chancellery, as well as in collaboration with a large number of partners. The programme in Windhoek took place in cooperation with the City of Windhoek, the Namibia Institute for Democracy and the Creative Industry Institute Africa. Made possible by funds from the Lotto Foundation Berlin.