In collaboration with artist and CURE alumna Géraldine Tobe
The Kunstschule Kassiopeia invites children and young people to embark on an exciting journey through Africa. For at least 300,000 years, Africa has been the cradle of humankind, rich in biodiversity, natural resources, and a wide range of cultures. Yet in the public imagination, this diversity often remains hidden. So what if we could travel differently – not geographically, but through artistic, scientific, and cultural experiences? What if we let this Africa inspire us?
The workshop series Fantastic Encounters 2025 – An Exciting Journey Through Africa invites children and young people to explore these very questions. In artistic and experimental settings – ranging from fashion design and rap to percussion and architectural workshops – participants engage with Africa’s cultural and historical diversity, translating it into creative work of their own. Yet the aim is not just creativity but experience – of UBUNTU, for instance, a concept of humanity and solidarity found in many Bantu languages such as Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Swati, Swahili, Kirundi, and Lingala; or of poetic and musical rituals such as KASALA (Congo) and KWIVUGA (Rwanda), which demonstrate how praising oneself and others can boost self-confidence and nurture mutual appreciation.
The programme will culminate in an exhibition at the Kulturhalle Wehrden on 19 November 2025, where the children and young people will showcase their work – from sculptures and fashion to films and more.
The series is being realised in collaboration with the artist Géraldine Tobe, founder and general director of the LOSA Institute in Kinshasa (DR Congo) and former fellow at the Käte Hamburger Centre for Cultural Practices of Reparation (CURE). Her vision and artistic references invite young people to explore African culture in its philosophical foundations and core values. Her collaboration highlights how artistic and academic contexts intersect to create new spaces for exchange.
The workshops are organised by the Kunstschule Kassiopeia, the largest art school for children and young people in Saarland. The school sees itself as a creative space where young people can develop their personalities and social skills through artistic practice – with the focus not on the final product, but on the process itself.
You can find the full programme with all dates and details here.
