The city partnership between Berlin and Windhoek celebrates 25 years of collaboration, exchange, and shared history. Under the theme “Same, Same but Different”, the 2025 anniversary brings together creatives, communities, and civic leaders to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and envision the future.   

Through workshops, exhibitions, cultural showcases, and a landmark fashion show in Windhoek’s Central Business District, the programme highlights shared identities, decolonial dialogue, youth engagement, and creative exchange, positioning the partnership as a model for equitable and meaningful urban collaboration. 

The 25-year celebrations will unfold through a series of flagship events in Windhoek that highlight dialogue, creativity, and inclusivity:

Soft Launch & Awareness Campaign

Launch of the new visual identity and logo of the partnership. The soft launch also marks the start of a broad public awareness campaign, introducing the partnership to new audiences and engaging Namibians through media, storytelling, and creative outputs.

Voices of the Cities Exhibition

An interactive exhibition showcasing collaborative projects between Berlin and Windhoek, as well as broader Global North–South partnerships. Special programming will engage high school and university students, ensuring young people are central to shaping the partnership’s future.

Future Vision Panel Discussion

Dialogue between policymakers, urban thinkers, youth leaders, and civil society to imagine the next 25 years of the partnership. This interactive session will include public Q&A and live audience engagement.

Full-Day Workshop with Sister Cities in Action

Co-coordinated with Sister Cities in Action and Kulturprojekte Berlin, this workshop will serve as both a launch of Sister Cities in Action (Windhoek–Berlin) and a deep-dive session on memory, partnership, and future models of equitable city-to city collaboration.

Street Threads; Fashion Show

Windhoek’s CBD will transform into a public runway showcasing Namibian and German designers exploring identity, liberation, sustainability, and decolonial creativity.

This event reflects how art and culture can reclaim public space and tell stories of shared struggle and resilience.