With the presentation of certificates of participation to two schools in Malindi by the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute Elena Gallenca and the presentation of works inspired by the works on display at the National Museum, the "Eccellenze Italiane" illustration exhibition, which for two weeks registered the visits of dozens of students from schools in Kilifi County, came to a close.
Students from The Learning Hub and My Me Academy schools took inspiration from the twenty panels in the exhibition to compose their idea of Italy, as if it were an illustration for a book. And so the first group of My Me students came up with a collage of visions of our country, from the gondolas and bridges of Venice, to beautiful girls with long hair dressed in "cold weather clothes," to sports, food and the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Colosseum. "This is what Italy is for us, a place full of history and culture, but also full of youth and fun," said one of the students. The Learning Hub went straight to two of our country's evocations: art and food. The students drew a verisimilar Mona Lisa by Leonardo and in another drawing they put together three excellences of our gastronomy: pizza, wine and lasagna.
Beyond the excellent success of the exhibition not only as a cultural attraction and insight into the importance of book illustrations, which are like gateways to the enchanted journey of reading, bringing Italian art, in various expressions, to the Malindi museum is also a way to bring to life a structure in need of renovation and care. With the proceeds of the small grant handed over to the museum for the exhibition on young Italian illustrators, for example, the management was able to restore the upper floor, change the lighting, and rearrange the exhibition area.
Next time it may be the turn of the ground floor and other renovation work.