Portraying War: A Reading with Ronya Othmann and Ela Pour

Berlin Exhibition at the Humboldt Forum
Ronya Othmann and Ela Pour
© & Photo: Paula Winkler; © Ela Pour | Photo: Lene Mimikry; Design: Stadtmuseum Berlin | Groupe Dejour

Moderated by Boussa Thiam

Prices
Regular: 5 euros
Reduced: 3 euros
Price info

Tickets can be booked from one month before the event at the Humboldt Forum box offices or online.

Location
Berlin Room (Room 5), first floor

The event is held in German. Recommended for ages 16 and up. Doors open at 6 pm.
Event
Duration
1h 30min

How can we speak about war – with images, with words? And how can experiences of violence and loss be conveyed?

The reading at BERLIN GLOBAL accompanies the Open Space exhibition “Dara Tûyê – درخت توت – The Mulberry Tree”, which brings together feminist voices on war and gardens and highlights solidarity networks among women reaching across geographical and political borders. The exhibition presents gardens as places of remembrance, healing and empowerment – but also of resistance against oppression and violence.

Against this backdrop, two artistic voices meet:

Ronya Othmann reads from her texts “Seventy‑Four” and “Return to Syria”, in which she writes about the war in Syria and the genocide of the Êzidî people. She traces the marks these events leave on people and landscapes. Her literature weaves together personal memories and political realities, opening direct and compelling insights.

Ela Pour brings a lyrical and visual perspective. In her autobiographical book project, created together with other tattoo artists, she explores the images that experiences of war and resistance evoke, and how these can be expressed artistically. Her work shows art as a form of affirmation and healing, making stories visible in new ways.

Boussa Thiam moderates the evening and invites both artists to reflect together on how war can be narrated – through literature and imagery.

Info

The event is held in German. Recommended for ages 16 and up. Doors open at 6 pm.

Participants

An event as part of the programme

Info & Service

Opening Hours

Mon + Wed – Sun | 10.30 am – 6.30 pm
Tue | closed

Last admission is at 5.30 pm

Closing Times

Due to maintenance work, the exhibition will be closed from 4 to 6 May 2026. On 7 and 8 May 2026, parts of the exhibition may be closed due to maintenance work. The exhibition will reopen as normal on 9 May 2026. Thank you for your understanding.

Directions

Schlossplatz
10178 Berlin

Contact

For ticketing and service requests, please contact the Humboldt Forum Visitor Services:
+49 30 9921 189 89
Mo – Fri, 10 a.m.– 6 p.m.