In April 2008, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Westville Prison in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa organized a joint symposium on prison theatre. In the high-security Westville Medium B Correctional Centre for men in Durban, prisoners with theatrical experience and ex-offenders who found work in the cultural sector after their release participated. Other participants included cultural activists and people involved in prison theatre from South Africa and abroad. The symposium explored the role of theatre arts in personal development and rehabilitation. One of its goals was to create freedom in a space where freedom has a whole different meaning. The Fund contributed € 10,000 to the symposium.
Two brothers, Chenjerai and Mambakwedza Mutasa, have been working as professional artists for over fifteen years. To professionalize the art world in Zimbabwe, the Mutasa brothers founded an arts centre called Domboramwari (God’s Stone) Art Village. Situated in the mountains on the outskirts of Harare, its activities include an artist in residence program and various workshops. The village provides an environment focused on visual arts, where artists can create works of art and share experiences. The National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe regularly exhibits works created at Domboramwari Art Village. This cultural sanctuary is a great success in a country where the political and economic situation are detrimental to the cultural climate.The Fund contributed € 23,000 to Domboramwari.
Creating Spaces of Freedom is an anthology of essays on defiant culture, which contains nearly 100 photographs of news images, cd and book covers, films, cartoons, websites and art. read more
Symposium on Prison Theatre
Artists in Domboramwari Art Village
The Fund creates spaces of freedom for people who are oppressed or who express opinions that differ from the general consensus. These spaces can vary from the marginal to a world platform.