Presenting Germany in Kenya, this year’s “German Week” focused on German culture and the activities of German organizations in close partnership between Germany and Kenya. For the hbs Regional Office this was an opportunity to present our work to an interested public.
Are you Kenyan?
Monday, May 18, the public art project Who I am Who We Are by Wambui Wamae Kamiru and Xavier Verhoest was opened at the Heinrich Boell Foundation's grounds. The travelling project explores the idea of nationhood and how this is embodied through our sense of identity and our everyday interactions. It is a concept animated by the notion that today’s world reflects a reality both multiple and unique. Nowhere is this idea truer than here, in Kenya. Who I Am, Who We Are is a process based project that interrogates the interactions, which we have with others and public spaces and how these affect our sense of identity. Over 100 guests took part in the Silent Room of the project and narrated on what makes them Kenyan. Watch the video below to learn more about the project.
Open Day
The Heinrich Böll Stiftung has been working in the East and Horn of Africa Region for over 25 years. We are a Facilitator and Partner in Dialogue for Green Innovations. The guests came with an open mind and left with information, ideas and inspiration. Also, the first forty visitors received a gift!
Let’s Talk About Men
The Gender Forum is a monthly public dialogue convened by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung since 2001. We are talking about important national issues with a gendered lens. This month we Talk(ed) About Men at the Nairobi Safari Club on Thursday, May 21. We asked how concepts of masculinity are defined but also changing in modern day Kenya. What do Kenyan men feel are tenets of masculinity today? Guests included Chris Hart, well-known psychologist and relationship expert. Anzetse Were, weekly columnist at the Business Daily, who presented findings of a reflective study on male-centric gender programming in Kenya.
Click below for more press articles on the event:
People Daily: German Week Open Day @ Heinrich Boell Foundation
The Star Newspaper: Germany In Kenya: Culture Brings Us Together
Watch this space for the full article on the last forum and visit Flickr for pictures on the same.
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Article by Katrin Seidel, Regional Director