Often derided as cannon fodder, the Tirailleurs troops from the colonies made a decisive contribution to the liberation of Europe from National Socialism. Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) dedicates an extensive exhibition and research project to their often marginalized stories. It sees the Tirailleurs as avant-garde—not only in a military sense, but also politically and culturally, as evidenced by their role in decolonial liberation movements. 

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, film-makers, and cultural practitioners.

Due to the 2026 Berlin Half Marathon, between 27–29 March there are road closures in the area. HKW is fully accessible via public transport—S-Bahn (Hauptbahnhof) and U-Bahn (Bundestag)—and via bike or on foot. 

With works by
Kader Attia, Yassine Balbzioui, Anguezomo Nzé Mba Bikoro, 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, 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

Digital Guide

As with all major exhibitions, for Tirailleurs: Trials and Tribulations HKW again provides the digital HKW.Guide with additional accessibility. This includes various short introductions to the exhibition: In German Sign Language (DGS) and International Sign (IS), in German Simplified Language and Easy English, as well as short audio intros in German and English. The audio introductions provide an initial overview of both the themes and the spatial layout of the exhibition. guide.hkw.de/en/tirailleurs