New Mural elevating aspirations for education and culture unveiled in Nairobi’s Mukuru Kwa Reuben Slum
By Our Reporter
Worth Noting:
- “The mural contains words taken from the Ruben School motto, the ghetto classics motto and a bit of Italian on it as well. This brings together the Italian language week beautifully through a merge of both cultures dedicated to these young minds,” he said.
- The Italian Cultural Institute in Nairobi is the cultural office of the Embassy of Italy in Kenya and therefore is a peripheral body of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Institute, as per its aims, organizes and promotes cultural events such as exhibitions, film festival, concerts, conferences, theatre and dance performances; it also facilitates inter-university relations between educational institutions.
A new Mural elevating aspirations for education and culture unveiled in Nairobi’s Mukuru Kwa Reuben Slum
The Mural is dedicated to young minds who are preparing their future through the AEF Reuben Center Primary School located in the heart of the kwa Reuben slum.
The Italian Cultural Institute, The Italian Embassy, the Reuben center in collaboration with artist Daniele Tozzi and other partners on Friday unveiled a large scale mural on the occasion of the XXII Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo (XXII World Italian Language Week) whose theme this year is “L’Italiano e i Giovani” (The Italian language and Youngsters).
The work – realized using the calligram technique – will feature a set of words in Italian and English that will compose artistic figures and compositions.
The words drive at doing better, making your better best and making a difference can be found in the mural and are some of the key facets of education the world over.
Speaking at the unveiling, Roberto Natali, Ambassador of Italy to Kenya said that the initiative with the school was one of many ways to make a difference in the lives of the students at the school.
“The mural contains words taken from the Ruben School motto, the ghetto classics motto and a bit of Italian on it as well. This brings together the Italian language week beautifully through a merge of both cultures dedicated to these young minds,” he said.
The Italian Cultural Institute in Nairobi is the cultural office of the Embassy of Italy in Kenya and therefore is a peripheral body of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Institute, as per its aims, organizes and promotes cultural events such as exhibitions, film festival, concerts, conferences, theatre and dance performances; it also facilitates inter-university relations between educational institutions.
“Thank you for allowing us to be here at the Reuben School to have this permanent mark in your premises. What you are doing for the students here and the community with the school, health centre and vocational training is amazing and we are happy to be a part of it”, said Elena Gallenca, the director of the Italian Cultural Institute who added that she was grateful for Elizabeth Njoroge CEO of the Art of Music foundation who introduced them to the school for this project.
The artist, Daniele Tozzi during his speech said that he merged the world of graphics and the world of graffiti to make the “lettering” technique also called the calligram technique which he used on the mural. Speaking to the children, he said,
“This mural is no longer mine, it is yours and the little elephant on it is in motion which is significant because it will motivate you to keep studying, keep walking and keep growing into strong young minds.”
This initiative is organized in collaboration with Bonobolabo, Reuben center and Ghetto Classics for the occasion of the 22nd edition of the ‘Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo’ (World Italian Language Week), which this year is dedicated to the theme ‘Italian and young people.
“This collaboration between the Italian Embassy, the Italian cultural institute, Ghetto classics and Reuben center can grow and touch more lives in and around the Ruben Center,” Said Brian Mwanika- Music Director, Ghetto Classics Mukuru.
He welcomed the Italian Embassy and Institute of culture to find more ways to engage the students and the community in the Mukuru Kwa Ruben area.
The school where the mural is, is a public sponsored school by the Christian Brothers- Australia and is the only public school within the area.
Currently it has a population of 2700 children with 28 teachers from the government and 30 project teachers.
The Italian Cultural Institute was founded in 1971 with the aim of promoting and disseminating Italian language and culture.
The Italian Institute of Culture has over the years become an important centre of cultural and academic initiatives, a language school and a reference point for the people interested in our country.
The Institute, as per its aims, organizes and promotes cultural events such as exhibitions, film festival, concerts, conferences, theatre and dance performances; it also facilitates inter-university relations between educational centre.
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