There Was Something Here Before

Interactive exhibition on slavery and shared histories between South Africa and Sri Lanka opens in Colombo

Events
By Editor_1

COLOMBO – An interactive international exhibition titled ‘There Was Something Here Before’ will open to the public in Colombo on Thursday (18), shedding new light on the little-known historical ties between South Africa and Sri Lanka through the lens of slavery and urban heritage.

Curated by acclaimed South African urbanist and researcher Zahira Asmal, the exhibition explores the themes of history, memory, and the urban realm – specifically the overlooked and often forgotten histories of enslaved people and their impact on cities such as Cape Town and Colombo.

The exhibition will run daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM until July 27, 2025, at the 1st Floor, Clock Tower Building, Independence Arcade, Colombo 7. Entry is free of charge and open to all.

Supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka, the exhibition marks the first time such an immersive, research-based show connecting South African and Sri Lankan colonial histories is being held in the region.

Renowned urbanist and researcher from South Africa, Zahira Asmal

Asmal’s research into the urban development and legacy of Cape Town, including its wine farms – revealed a striking historical connection: many of the enslaved people in the Cape were originally taken from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). This forgotten link between the two cities forms the backbone of the exhibition, offering a compelling and often-overlooked perspective on their shared colonial legacies.

In addition to the exhibition, visitors can attend a series of 10 public events, including curated walkabouts, lectures, workshops, and film screenings, all featuring contributions from Sri Lankan scholars, artists, and activists. These events aim to connect the exhibition’s central themes to contemporary Colombo, helping audiences re-examine the layered history of their own city.

“This project invites people to reimagine their urban spaces through a deeper understanding of what came before,” says Zahira Asmal. “History is not just something behind us—it shapes the cities we live in today.”

Asmal is the founder and director of The City, a research and place-making agency established in 2010. Her work focuses on public space, memory, and postcolonial identity, and her current project, SEE delves into contested urban histories and inclusive approaches to memorialization.

The Colombo exhibition is the first leg of an international tour that Asmal plans to take across the region, continuing a vital conversation on memory, identity, and resilience in postcolonial cities.

Some events may require prior registration. For updates and registration details, visit the website: There Was Something Here Before – I SEE YOU or follow @thecityagency on Facebook and Instagram.

Group tours of the exhibition can be arranged by contacting Menaka Rajapakse at +94 77 876 0871.

-ENCL

 

Editor_1
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