In collaboration with artist Daniele Tozzi, the Italian Cultural Institute, The Italian Embassy, and the Reuben centre unveiled a large mural in Kenya’s Mukuru Kwa Reuben Slum.
The mural is dedicated to young minds preparing for their future through the AEF Reuben Center Primary School.
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 students’ lives.
“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 unveiling was done 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 mural includes the terms drive at doing better, making your best, and making a difference can be found in the mural and are some of the critical facets of education the world over.
The Italian Cultural Institute in Nairobi is the cultural office of the Embassy of Italy in Kenya. It, therefore, is a peripheral body of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The Institute organizes and promotes cultural events such as exhibitions, film festivals, concerts, conferences, theatre and dance performances; it also facilitates inter-university relations between educational institutions.
“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,” said Daniele Tozz.
Daniele Tozz merged the world of graphics and graffiti to make the “lettering” technique, also called the calligram technique, which he used on the mural.
