Moritzburg (dpa/sn) – In a new exhibition, Moritzburg Castle illuminates August the Strong’s fascination with the African continent. From June 10th to the end of October, the show entitled “August’s Africa – Africa in Saxony, Saxony in Africa in the 18th century” can be seen in the baroque hunting lodge, as the Schloesserland Sachsen announced on Thursday.
The Saxon Elector August the Strong (1670-1733) was said to have been fascinated by Africa. He collected African things, celebrated “African festivals” and surrounded himself with servants from Africa. A “completely fictitious “Africa” ??was created as an imaginative staging,” it said.
In 1731, August reportedly sent one of the earliest scientific expeditions to the north of the continent, which, however, only returned after his death. The exhibition also tells of the missionary journeys of the Moravian preachers, who have been traveling from Saxony from Saxony since 1732.
In addition to the objects and contemporary testimonies, the show will be commented on by two political scientists and activists from a perspective critical of colonialism. In some cases, opposing views are opposed and offer space for reflection and opinion, it said.
