International Weeks Against Racism in Pankow at Bard College Berlin

The community of Bard College Berlin came together during the month of March to mark the International Weeks Against Racism and strengthen the connections between BCB and its neighborhood. 

In anticipation of the International Weeks Against Racism, over 40 students worked together to produce awareness-raising materials during a screenprinting workshop held at the Factory. Students were invited to print a student-designed BCB Pankow gegen Rassismus graphic on tote bags or on clothing provided by the Swap Shop, the free secondhand clothing exchange on campus. Choppin' It Up, a student-led culinary club, provided food for those in attendance.

Off-campus, civil society organizations from Pankow invited BCB to take part in the Kiez action day in the Rathaus-Center to “explore what truly connects us as part of Pankow Gegen Rassismus,” says Lorna Cannon, Civic Engagement Coordinator. Denissa Savin ‘29 led a stall on behalf of EJAAD Berlin, an NGO which supports women and girls in Afghanistan through the sale of traditional Afghan embroidery. The students promoted embroidered purses and bracelets created by Afghan artisans, while also holding a coloring workshop for children. “For the coloring workshop we designed coloring pages with beautiful Afghan patterns and we invited the children to be creative and fill them with color,” Savin says. She describes the event as a “wonderful opportunity” for the College to gain more visibility and connection within the larger community of Pankow. Savin says that the atmosphere of the whole event carried an energetic and enthusiastic note. “It was also heartwarming to see people being interested in finding out more about Bard College Berlin and other projects we are doing at the university.” she adds. 

The afternoon brought together various civil organizations from across Pankow, including representatives from MALI gGmbH, Janusz Korczak Library, Advisory Board for Participation and Integration in Pankow, Paula Panke Frauenzentrum, fembi e.V., and Pankow Stadtteilzentrum.

On campus, Aksharaa Barat ‘29 organized BCB’s Culture Show, featuring a “a rich mix of performances, including colorful dances, music, and powerful personal stories.” Each one of these acts reflected various cultural backgrounds shaping BCB, while simultaneously highlighting “how art can challenge prejudice.” The Culture Show also doubled as cultural celebration, coinciding with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, and Eid, which marks the end of the Ramadan fast. 

“I really believe that celebrating diversity is one of the most effective ways to combat racism, because it encourages understanding, appreciation, and connection between people. I think the event brought the community closer together by giving students a space to share their backgrounds, traditions, and identities in a positive and engaging way,” Barat says. She describes the entire event as deeply welcoming and supportive. “I had the opportunity to invite the local community to the Culture Show during the Kiezrunde meeting and we were really happy to see that some members of our community, including representatives from the Amtshaus Buchholz and the Stille Strasse 10 e.V., attended. They were very impressed by the performances, food, and the BCB community as a whole,” Cannon adds.

The Culture Show also served as a fundraiser for an orphanage in India, with which Barat shares a personal connection. “One of the teachers there was my very first Yoga Teacher. That is the reason I got my certification and now have a YogaClub, Matters of the Mat on campus,” she explains. Barat says that the fundraiser made the event feel even more purposeful, letting her have a positive impact beyond the borders of the College and Pankow. “By actively celebrating different cultures, the event didn’t just talk about diversity, it demonstrated what we are fighting to preserve in a tangible way,” she adds.

Nasr Al-Aghbari ‘29 and James Akech ‘29 organized the Race Against Racism, a four-hour race and fundraising event in collaboration with Spok, a nearby sports complex. The race was designed to “engage students, Pankow residents, and partner organizations in confronting racism through physical activity and collective action.” Teams of four runners competed in a digital fundraising race, with each team competing to raise the highest amount of donations through individual fundraising pages.

These events were made possible in part through a grant which the Civic Engagement Office won from the Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt. 

“As we mark the end of the International Weeks Against Racism, I hope we feel strengthened in our shared commitment to antiracism. As ever, the Civic Engagement Office is here to support students developing initiatives around these themes.” Cannon says. 

By: Hana Trenčanová '28

Post Date: 04-10-2026