le_redacteur   |    Wednesday, der 4. November 2009

Shailja Patel: Poetry, Spoken Word, Resistance

They are met with standing ovations across the globe: The spoken-word performances by Shailja Patel are a moving appeal to a new generation of Africans to challenge conventions and social structures, and to advocate democracy. In co-operation with AfricAvenir International e.V., the Haus der Kulturen der Welt presents an evening with the award-winning Kenyan performer activist. Sat. Nov. 7, 7.30 p.m.

Shailja Patel ’s Spoken Word Performances are a moving call for a new generation of Africans to challenge conventions and social structures and to advocate for democracy. “Stunning and politically charged theater that will leave you moved, awakened, angry … inspired” writes The Daily Nation, Kenya. The award-winning performer activist wants to “sing herself-and others”-back from their violent histories. A founding member of Kenyans for Peace, Truth and Justice, Patel created a groundbreaking program to train grassroots Kenyan activists in political advocacy, and received a prolonged standing ovation at the 2007 World Social Forum in Nairobi. For this evening, she has prepared a performance on Kenyan politics and culture, radical social movements and the histories of colonialism on the African continent, always cross-cut by the topics of race and gender.

This event is presented in cooperation with the Haus der Kulturen der Welt

Africavenir

In the program series: Re/Visionen – Contemporary perspectives on art from Africa in film, literature, dance, music and video art.