Tirailleurs: Trials and Tribulations

On August 15, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron invited the world to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Provence that followed the Normandy invasion and was pivotal to liberating France and Europe from Nazi Germany. The ceremony highlighted an often-overlooked truth: the majority of the 250,000 troops in the so-called B Army were African soldiers who, according to Le Monde, “came from the colonies.” These young Tirailleurs played an active role in the liberation of France from Nazi Germany, while many others hailing from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, and beyond were integral to the reshaping of Europe’s future and its institutions. Yet, their contributions have been systematically marginalized. While commemorative gestures, such as inviting African leaders to anniversary events, attempt to recognize their sacrifice, this history remains politically co-opted, under-researched, and unknown to many people today, especially in Germany. 

In 2026, HKW seeks to address this gap with a wide-ranging program that considers the role of the Tirailleurs in liberating France from Nazi Germany, how their efforts contributed to the liberation of Germany itself, and their impact on securing peace in Europe post-1945. The consideration of Tirailleurs is expanded to reflect upon similar histories from other geographies and temporalities, demonstrating the continuum of the exploitation of “human resources” in different regimes.  

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, filmmakers, and cultural practitioners. 

With works by: Kader Attia, Yassine Balbzioui, Kathleen Bomani, Halida Boughriet, Tiffany Chung, Binta Diaw, Godfried Donkor, Juan-Pedro Fabra Guemberena, Abrie Fourie, Othon Friesz, Pélagie Gbaguidi, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Daniel Lind-Ramos, Mónica de Miranda, Oscar Ngu Atanga, Tuấn Andrew Nguyễn, Josèfa Ntjam, Anguezomo Nzé Mba Bikoro, Mario Pfeifer, Slavs and Tatars, El Hadji Sy, Pascale Marthine Tayou, Dior Thiam, Barthélémy Toguo, Félix Vallotton, Francisco Vidal, Hana Yoo

Presenting films by: Rachid Bouchareb, Dalila Ennadre, Oumarou Ganda, Grégoire Georges-Picot, Idrissou Mora-Kpai, Kollo Daniel Sanou, Philip Scheffner, Ousmane Sembène & Thierno Faty Sow, Tony T. & Rebecca Goldstone, Futuru C.L. Tsai, Mathieu Vadepied  

Research collaboration with: Alice Yard, Port of Spain; Ancrages, Marseille; Cinémathèque de Tanger, Tanger; Hide and Seek Audiovisual Art, Taipei; Raw Material Company. Center for Art, Knowledge and Society, Dakar  

Tirailleurs: Trials and Tribulations opens on March 20 with an expansive opening weekend of artist conversations, guided tours, panel discussions, performances, and screenings. The program features keynote lectures by David Olusoga and Santanu Das, alongside musical performances by singer/songwriter Cheikh Lô and cellist, singer, and composer Abel Selaocoe with his band Bantu Ensemble. 

For more information, visit: hkw.de/en/tirailleurs.

Partner
Tirailleurs: Trials and Tribulations is part of heimaten, supported by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media due to a ruling of the German Bundestag. 

Funded by the Federal Agency for Civic Education (Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung / bpb). With the support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation – French Delegation as part of the partnerships designed to support the Portuguese artistic scene in European institutions. With the generous support of the Tanoto Art Foundation (TAF). 

Haus der Kulturen der Welt is supported by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. 

Contact
Maxie Fischer, Head of Press and Communications, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, presse@hkw.de