Asterios Touvlatzis was born in Thessaloniki, Greece. He’s a researcher, curator, and cultural practitioner with a background in art history and critical theory. Currently a PhD candidate at the University of Thessaly, Greece, (Department of Culture, Creative Media and Industries). He holds a BA in History and Archaeology (University of Ioannina, Greece) and an MA in Art History and Curating (University of Groningen, the Netherlands). His research focuses on queer curatorial practices and intergenerational trauma—topics that intersect powerfully with questions of memory, identity, and narrative-building. These themes resonate with the foundation’s mission to foster creative expression and cultural dialogue, particularly across Liberia, West Africa, and Europe. Over the past years, Asterios has  curated exhibitions and collaborated with institutions such as MOMus – Museum of Contemporary Art in Thessaloniki, The Groninger Museum in the Netherlands, and The Pink Cube.

These experiences have equipped him with the tools to design inclusive, critical, and impactful cultural programming, skills he believes could greatly support the foundation’s initiatives, including its literary prizes, workshops, and public dialogues. As a multilingual professional (Greek, English, French, and Dutch). Asterios Touvlatzis is confident in his ability to build bridges across diverse communities and cultivate meaningful partnerships with institutions and individuals who share the foundation’s commitment to education, literature, and peace-building.

The Vamba Sherif Foundation’s holistic and legacy-driven model deeply aligns with his own values as a scholar and cultural worker. He’s particularly drawn to its commitment to storytelling as a tool for healing and transformation, and to help amplify African voices and connect them with global audiences through strategic programming, curated content, and community engagement.