El Hadji SyTirailleurs: Trials and Tribulations21.03. - 14.06.2026
Haus der Kulturen der Welt

Often derided as cannon fodder, the Tirailleurs troops from the colonies made a decisive contribution to the liberation of Europe from National Socialism. Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) dedicates an extensive exhibition and research project to their often marginalized stories. It sees the Tirailleurs as avant-garde—not only in a military sense, but also politically and culturally, as evidenced by their role in decolonial liberation movements.

The exhibition brings together works by more than thirty international artists across generations, including fourteen new commissions. It also features the presentation of archival materials, research from five different art spaces and collectives, as well as film screenings. Together, these contributions underscore the persistent relevance of the history of the Tirailleurs for artists, film-makers, and cultural practitioners.