Rapid Response

WanBel – 50 Jahre Unabhängigkeit: Papua-Neuguinea

Papua New Guinea gained independence on September 16, 1975. Fifty years later, the country is celebrating this historic anniversary with numerous cultural initiatives worldwide. WanBel is one of these projects: a global alliance of partner institutions under the motto “Celebrate our History, Inspire our Future.” 

  • Dates 05/12/2025—28/06/2026
  • Opening Hours Wednesday 11—18 Friday to Sunday 10—17 Boxing Day, 26/12/2025 10—17 New Year, 01/01/2026 10—17
    24/12/2025 — 24/12/2025  closed 25/12/2025 — 25/12/2025  closed 31/12/2025 — 31/12/2025  closed

    Please note that the GRASSI Museum für Völkerkunde zu Leipzig will be closed on 24.12., 25.12. and 31.12.2025.

  • Admission Fees admission free

WanBel

In the official language Tok Pisin, WanBel means “one Belly” – symbolizing community, cohesion, and mutual understanding.
Over 40 museums in 14 countries are participating in this project. The GRASSI Museum of Ethnology in Leipzig, with its significant collection from this region, was also invited to participate as a partner. Its special presentation focuses on cultural artifacts from the Papua Gulf, the Sepik River region, and the Bismarck Archipelago. Ancestral figures, filigree Malanggan carvings, and impressively designed objects bear witness to ancient cultural traditions that are still alive today and a creative art form that continues to this day, drawing its inspiration from a close connection to the land and spiritual heritage.

Eine große, dekorative Maske aus natürlichen Materialien, möglicherweise Leder oder Rindentuch, mit einem komplexen Muster und einem runden Rahmen an der Basis.
© GRASSI Museum für Völkerkunde zu Leipzig, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
Kanipu-Tanzmaske (Me 14124), Papua-Neuguinea

WanBel

An accompanying digital project in Papua New Guinea will bring the country's cultural assets to life through various presentations in local communities. In addition, a joint digital platform will serve as an international hub, showcasing Papua New Guinea's cultural heritage worldwide through digital collections, 3D scans, videos, and exhibitions. 

Neocolonial exclusion instead of international cooperation?

The GRASSI Museum für Völkerkunde zu Leipzig works on a wide variety of topics such as restitution, repatriation and remembrance culture. These are of great importance worldwide, but what would this work look like without international cooperation?

Film

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Neokoloniale Ausgrenzung statt internationaler Zusammenarbeit? Our Voice Needs To Be Heard

Die Einbeziehung

The involvement of international partners is necessary to shed light on colonialism and its consequences. Without their view, an examination of postcolonial structures is not possible.

However, freedom of travel is extremely unequal internationally and German and European entry policies often do not allow for equal participation. In April 2023, the Rwandan tandem partner Serge Ndakebuka and his German tandem partner Rhea Daraboš were unable to start their project time together at the GRASSI Museum due to a visa refusal. In their video “Our voice needs to be heard” they speak about it.

The focus of the intervention is to show how challenging international cooperation can be due to the different visa granting mechanisms depending on the origin of the applicants. The main goal is to show how the current visa policy destroys visions, projects and dreams in the process.

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