The city and the world visited the Hamburg Tropical Institute

The series began in January with a public discussion event in which BNITM, together with historians, critically examined the role of its founding director, Bernhard Nocht. The discussion drew on an expert report commissioned by the institute as well as a recent biography. The event created space for open dialogue on history, responsibility and the institute’s role in the present day, and attracted strong interest both within and beyond BNITM.

In early October, BNITM invited the public in Hamburg to the Rathausdiele. An exhibition traced the institute’s origins in the late 19th century, key scientific milestones, and current research priorities, including modern malaria diagnostics and therapies, research on arboviruses and zoonoses, virus structure, as well as climatic influences and genetic factors involved in resistance. It also highlighted the scientific infrastructure that underpins BNITM’s research, such as its biosafety level 4 high-containment laboratory and the S3 insectary. The exhibition conveyed BNITM’s identity as an internationally connected institute committed to advancing more equitable global health.

In late September and early October, BNITM co-organised the European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health (ECTMIH), bringing 1,300 participants from 84 countries to the Congress Centre Hamburg. Across 104 sessions and more than 560 poster presentations, over 570 researchers shared their latest findings. The conference was held under the motto “Better health for all in a changing world”. Around one third of the participants came from countries outside Europe, underscoring the global relevance of the topics discussed. Particular emphasis was placed on the ECTMIH Academy for early-career scientists and the BNITM anniversary session, where the directors of six tropical medicine institutes from Africa and Europe discussed emerging technologies in the field.

One of the highlights of the festival week was a sold-out concert in the small hall of the Elbphilharmonie. Under the motto “Jazz meets Tropical Medicine”, the Beatrice Asare Quintet performed both standards and original compositions—sometimes spirited, sometimes reflective, always captivating. The Hamburg-based singer of Ghanaian roots delighted the audience with her stylistic versatility, creating a particularly atmospheric moment within the anniversary programme.

On 1 October, the institute’s founding day, the Hamburg Senate hosted a reception at Hamburg City Hall. More than 500 guests from Germany and abroad attended the event. The guest of honour was Ghana’s ambassador-designate, Professor Ohene Adjei. In his address, he offered a critical perspective on scientific collaboration between the Global South and the Global North. He highlighted the decades-long partnership between BNITM and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) as a model of successful international cooperation.

‘Our anniversary year was marked by critical dialogue, personal exchange and international networking,’ says Prof. Jürgen May, Chair of the Board at BNITM. ‘The many warm congratulations and encouraging messages deeply moved us and continue to spur us on to work with full commitment for global health – that is, for the health of all people.’