October 2018 - Celebrating Africa
Over the weekend of 27 & 28 October we celebrated the rich and diverse history of Africa and its people at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum during Black History Month 2018.
All activities were free and open to the public
- Listen - Speaker’s Corner: African memories & Africa today
- Create - Adinkra Printing & Paper Bead workshops
- Sing - Storytelling, song, poetry, rap ’n rhyme workshops
Celebrating Africa was a major collaboration between Glasgow Museums and the Unesco Chair In Refugee Integration Through Languages and the Arts. We are very grateful for the participation of all our contributors and facilitators throughout the whole weekend, especially Pat Allen of Glasgow Museums, and our Artists in Residence Tawona Sitholé, Gameli Tordzro and Naa Densua Tordzro.
Without them the weekend would not have been possible.
More videos and images from the weekend can be found on the Kelvingrove Facebook page
Nyasha Kanyimo and Vazumba
Gameli Tordzro, Jane Bentley, Sarah McWhinney
Ricky Dragon at Celebrating Africa 2018 from Unesco RILA on Vimeo.
Celebrating Africa: Speakers' Corner:
‘We desire to bequeath two things to our children; the first one is roots, the other one is wings.’ Sudanese proverb
African cultures have always been outward looking. For thousands of years, until European colonisation in the 1840s, many of its cities were centres of creativity, science, wealth and commerce. International connections allowed learning, trade, culture and art to flourish. This powerful heritage is a dynamic and vibrant force that is both deeply rooted in tradition and also imaginative, innovative and constantly evolving both within the continent and amongst its many and varied Diasporas.
Join us as we celebrate the rich and diverse history of Africa and its people by sharing in our Speakers’ Corner.
SATURDAY 27TH |
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10.45-11.00am |
Dr. Martin Bellamy, Glasgow Museums' Research and Curatorial Manager |
Welcome and Introduction |
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11.00 -11.30 |
Prof. Alison Phipps, Glasgow University UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts |
“Who Shouted Daybreak in the Middle of the Night” Why Africa is not all about Scotland but Scotland is all about Africa. |
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11.30 - 11.45 |
Naa Densua Tordzro, fashion designer, scholar, community artist and musician |
Memories |
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11.45 - 12.00 |
Alberta Whittle, interdisciplinary artist and researcher with Thulani Rachia, Associate Artist with National Theatre of Scotland and curator, Transmission Gallery |
In conversation: Building empathy through challenging what we know of African history. |
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12.00 - 12.15 |
Arpita Shah, visual artist |
From Gujarat to Nairobi - an artist's story |
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12.30 - 13.30 |
RECESS |
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13.30 - 14.00 |
Tawona Sithole, poet and playwright: |
Breakout Session: Cultural Connections Gallery: pachigare poem installation performance |
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14.00 - 14.15 |
Tawona Sithole, poet and playwright: |
love poetry |
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14.15 - 14.30 |
Dr. Sarah Worden, Senior Curator, African Collections, National Museums Scotland |
The Politics of African Dress: symbols of identity and belonging. |
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14.30 - 14.45 |
Brian Weightman, Assistant Curator |
Voices From Africa's Past - Translating Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs |
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15.00 - 15.30 |
Brian Weightman, Assistant Curator |
Breakout Session: Egypt Gallery:Exploring amazing objects produced by people from the north-eastern corner of the African continent |
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15.30 - 16.00 |
Dr. Gameli Tordzro, Artist in residence of the UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration Through Languages and The Arts” |
Memories and Stories: Celebration Through Reflection on Our Shared Experiences |
SUNDAY 28TH |
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11.10 - 11.15 |
Dr. Martin Bellamy, Glasgow Museums' Research and Curatorial Manager |
Welcome to 2nd session |
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11.15 - 11.45 |
Prof. Charles Forsdick University of Liverpool, 'Translating Cultures’ |
Translating Objects |
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11.45 - 12.00 |
Corinne Ottroh Ambassador, UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Language and the Arts |
Food from Ivory Coast |
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12.00 - 12.15 |
Ricky Dragon, Rapper and Poet |
Modern Alternative African Traditions |
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12.15 - 13.30 |
RECESS |
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13.30 - 13.45 |
Nina Mdwaba |
The enduring power of women in South African theatre. |
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13.45 - 14.00 |
Pieter Van der Houwenphotographer and filmmaker |
Africans around the World today. |
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14.00 - 14.30 |
Wanderin Dragon, Rapper and Poet |
Breakout Session: Cultural Connections Gallery: Rap and poetry performance |
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14.30 - 14.45 |
Sali Dirar, Gallery Assistant, Glasgow Museums |
Sudanese Coffee Therapy |
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14.45 - 15.00 |
Fiona Hayes, Curator Social History, Glasgow Museums |
A Zambian Childhood |
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15.00 - 15.30 |
Patricia Allan, Curator of World Cultures, Glasgow Museums |
Closing remarks |
News item 17 October 2018
Celebrating Africa: Speakers' Corner
News item 16 October 2018
Celebrating Africa Weekend 27/28 October