Exhibition Recap: Islands and Mainland

No city stands entirely on its own. Just as Hildesheim’s industries depend on the nearby Harz Mountains for essential resources, Padang—the capital of West Sumatra and the sister city of Hildesheim—shares a deep and enduring connection with the Mentawai Islands across the sea.

The sister city partnership between Hildesheim and Padang was established to promote cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and long-term cooperation between the two communities. This relationship reflects the spirit of solidarity that extends beyond borders—fostering dialogue between Europe and Southeast Asia, between mainland and island, between urban and rural realities. The collaboration between Hildesheim and Padang embodies how cities can learn from one another’s experiences of resilience, adaptation, and development.

As part of the Indonesian Night hosted by the City of Hildesheim (30.10.2025), our collective presented Islands and Mainland, a small curated exhibition that tells the story of this interdependence through the life of a tsunami survivor from the Mentawai Islands. The exhibition explored how the islands and the mainland continuously rely on one another: Padang draws resources and strength from Mentawai for its urban and economic growth, while Mentawai communities depend on Padang for access to education, healthcare, and daily necessities.

Through personal stories, photographs, and field research, Islands and Mainland invited visitors to reflect on how geography, history, and economy shape a relationship of resilience and mutual support between these two places. It highlighted that Padang’s progress and Mentawai’s endurance are not separate stories—but one shared narrative of interconnection.

The presentation at Indonesian Night served as a preview of a larger exhibition planned for February 2026, organized in collaboration with the Indonesian Consulate General in Hamburg and the City of Hildesheim. The upcoming exhibition will further explore themes of migration, climate resilience, and the evolving ties between the islands and the mainland of West Sumatra.