ABOUT SOUL OF AFRICA

The Soul of Africa Museum considers itself as a open forum for intercultural encounter, and for the graphic exchange of art , culture, history and politics on the basis of authentic experience.

On the basis of the international collection of African art and ethnographic objects, with a valuable photographic, film, document and a  comprehensive library, visitors experience the historical development of  Sub-Saharan Africa.

The primary goal of Soul of Africa is to promote intercultural education, promote integration through information , intercultural friendship, and an open exchange of ideas without prejudice. In a time of globalization these aspects  have gained in importance. Furthermore it is a declared goal of the museum to build networks between people  from Africa and our local population. Years of experience and good contact to personalities and organizations involved in culture, art and politics in West and Central Africa make this possible.

The Soul of Africa Museum sees itself as a cultural institution with a special educational mission and without commercial interests. Profit from the different business areas flow right back into the organization to finance projects.

Participants and supporters

The Curatorium

  • Thomas Kufen, CDU, Mayor of the city of Essen (Essen)
  • Kai Gehring, Die Grünen, Bundestag Parliamentarian (Essen)
  • Bernhard von Grünberg, Landtag Parliamentarian (Bonn)
  • Rolf Fliß, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, retired Mayor of Essen-Rüttenscheid (Essen)

The advisory committee supports the Soul of Africa Museum. At the present time we have seven members. They come from different fields like culture, politics and museums. The committee meets at least one time a year and advises the museum during the development phase and later on the operational level.

The Soul of Africa advisory committee:

  • Prof. Theo Grütter, Director of the Ruhr Museum in Essen
  • Prof. Schneider, Director of the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum in Cologne
  • Hyacinthe Hounkpatin, African cultural manager, and  professor for international culture management
  • Andreas Bomheuer, culture director of the city of Essen
  • Anton Rütten, director of the bureau of integration in Düsseldorf
  • Prof. Dr. Dieter Haller, social anthropologist, Bochum Unversity
  • Prof. Dr. Stefanie Michels, colonial history, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf

Other supporters of the Soul of Africa Museum:

  • Isodore Bio (Botschafter Benin)
  • Dr. Hans Walter (Honorarkonsul von Kamerun)
  • Bernd Neuendorf (Staatssekretär im Ministerium für Familie, Kinder, Jugend, Kultur und Sport)
  • Reinhard Paß (Oberbürgermeister der Stadt Essen a.D.)
  • Elisabeth Mews (Grüne, Mitglied im Rat der Stadt Essen)
  • Susanne Asche (CDU, Ratsmitglied)
  • Christine Merkel (UNESCO Bonn)
  • Volker Troche (Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Stiftung)
  • Annabel Von Klenck (Ehem. Geschäftsführerin der Stiftung Mercator, Rechtsanwältin)
  • Dr. Peter Sicking (Ehem. Vorstand der Sir Peter Ustinov Stiftung, Mitglied des Expertenkreis Inklusive Bildung der UNESCO)
  • Dr. Clara Himmelheber (Rautenstrauch Joest Museum)
  • Dr. Bernd Mengede (Leiter des Kulturbüro der Stadt Essen)
  • Dr. Rolf Krane (IG Rüttenscheid)
  • Thorsten Kestner (Architektenbüro Kestner & Lehman)
  • Dr. Gabriele Lademann-Priemer (Pastorin, Sektenbeauftragte der Nordelbischen Kirche)
  • Dr. Karamba Diaby (SPD, MdB, Halle)
  • Joe Davis „Papa Joe“, Raleigh, USA
  • Professor Ilse Storb, Essen
  • Dirk Heidenblut, SPD, MdB (Essen)

Sponsors & Donors

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