On remembering, unlearning, and creating new stories

Abstract In this interview, Priya Basil—London-born author of fiction and essays who now lives in Berlin—reflects on colonial continuities ruptures Germany’s memoryscape. Taking the Humboldt Forum at newly reconstructed Berlin Palace that houses Berlin’s ethnographic collections as a starting point, she talks about how memory Holocaust crimes committed by Germans connect yet also differ, what messages buildings such communicate to visitors, whose voices are heard silenced Forum, relates some form post-colonial justice—or not. She advocates for digging down into provenance objects museums exhibitions unearth dark histories have led their presence Germany other former colonizing countries. To circumvent master narrative collection, argues it is paramount let “talk back” listen stories opposed collectors exhibitors.