»Re/Locating Amo« is the second part of a Ghanaian-German theatre project dedicated to an engagement with the philosopher Anton Wilhelm Amo. Anton Wilhelm Amo, who studied and taught at the universities of Halle, Wittenberg, and Jena in the early 18th century, was abducted from what is now Ghana as a child and returned there as an adult. For the project »Re/Locating Amo«, Ghanaian and German theatre makers have joined forces to interpret Amo’s life and thinking theatrically and to use it as an occasion for a transcultural dialogue around themes such as return and belonging, tradition, identity, and philosophy. While the first phase of the project culminated in a theatre performance in Accra in November/December 2021, this dialogue will be continued at Ballhaus Ost in Berlin within the framework of an exhibition with performative and filmic contributions, as well as workshop and discourse formats.

Ekua Ekumah is an actress, director and Senior Lecturer at the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana. Together with director and storyteller Sarah Dorgbadzi, she runs the Lododo Arts Foundation, which works to preserve and revive traditional Ghanaian storytelling. Directors Felix Maria Zeppenfeld and Sahba Sahebi met while studying directing in Hamburg and have since realised several theatre and performance projects.

P R O G R A M

May 18, 2022

5.00 – 8.00 pm
»Kundum Dance«: Workshop with Vivian Boateng
Dance workshop dedicated to Kundum Dance, a type of dance that is practised in Anton Wilhelm Amos‘ home village Axim. In this workshop we will take the participants to Axim and share a bit of Amo’s culture with them.
(For up to 15 people. Dance skills are not required and participation is free of charge. Registration via: workshop@relocatingamo.com)

May 19, 2022

5.00 – 8.00 pm
»Living in the liminal space«: Workshop with Ekua Ekumah
Workshop in which director Ekua Ekumah explores notions of identity and belonging in the African diaspora together with the participants, also drawing on the possible experiences of Anton Wilhelm Amo.
(For up to 12 people. No previous experience is required and participation is free of charge. Registration via: workshop@relocatingamo.com)

May 21, 2022

5.00 pm
Welcome & Introduction

5.00 – 8.00 pm
The exhibition shows documentary material from the theatre production „Every Active Entity“, which was created in November 2021 as a Ghanaian-German cooperation in Accra and dealt with Anton Wilhem Amo’s life and work.

During the exhibition, three performances will take place that reflect the individual relationship of the participating theatre makers to Amo, as well as the collaboration itself.
»Caught up in between« by Boateng | Agudu
»Teaseowu« by Ekumah | Dorgbadzi | Boateng | Agudu | Agyare | Menlah | Hagan
»If a spirit were said to sense« by Sahebi | Dorgbadzi | Agyare | Menlah | Hagan

8.00 – 10.00 pm
»Interrogating Identity: Amo’s significance in the Ghanaian space«
Roundtable discussion with the four theatre makers Ekua Ekumah, Sarah Dorgbadzi, Vivian Boateng and Joy Agudu about the significance and perception of Amo for Ghanaians.

May 22, 2022

4.00 pm
Welcome & Introduction

5.00 – 7.00 pm
The exhibition shows documentary material from the theatre production „Every Active Entity“, which was created in November 2021 as a Ghanaian-German cooperation in Accra and dealt with Anton Wilhem Amo’s life and work.

During the exhibition, three performances will take place that reflect the individual relationship of the participating theatre makers to Amo, as well as the collaboration itself.
»Caught up in between« by Boateng | Agudu
»Teaseowu« by Ekumah | Dorgbadzi | Boateng | Agudu | Agyare | Menlah | Hagan
»If a spirit were said to sense« by Sahebi | Dorgbadzi | Agyare | Menlah | Hagan

7.00 – 9.00 pm
»Who Are You?« by Kobina Hagan & Team
Documentary film (40′) about the development of the theatre production in Accra, followed by a panel talk with the artists involved. What story does the collaboration tell about us and what story about Amo?