There is an interesting and mutually rewarding direct link between Italian and Kenyan students related to visual art.
It has been created by the University of Macerata (Unimc) with universities in Kilifi, Mombasa and Nairobi and coordinated together with the Akademy of Art in Szczecin, Poland, with which two projects have been carried out since 2017 today: one completed in 2021 and another due to close next May. Both have brought European educational-pedagogical expertise in the field of cultural heritage to Kenya, relating it to Kenyan contexts, schools and the territory.
Rosita Deluigi, associate professor of general and social pedagogy at the University of Macerata, one of the project coordinators, together with Flavia Stara and Giuseppe Capriotti, tells us about it.

‘We started by focusing on the reading and interpretation of images in different contexts and backgrounds,’ explains Deluigi. ‘Transversally, we began working with schools and the local area, as well as with Pwani University in Kilifi, setting up training workshops and creative activities with teachers and pupils (particularly from Kilifi's primary schools), and set up two other Erasmus projects to continue fostering the exchange of researchers between Italy and Kenya and to develop joint actions in the area, again in the field of cultural heritage enhancement and the promotion of active, cooperative and creative education. Again, the first project has been concluded and the second is underway'.
The first, very interesting project (you can learn more at this link: https://ticass.eu/) resulted in an interesting exhibition on images and their information power in public spaces. In the photos in the exhibition, European electronic information displays alternate with signs advertising Kenyan traditional healers, the 'mganga', pedestrian crossing lights and warning signs.

The approach, thanks to the professionalism, field presence and enthusiasm of the Unimc lecturers, continued and gave rise to the second project: Transcultural Perspectives in Art and Art Education (TPAAE), which set out to investigate contemporary art in Europe and East Africa, its relations and forms of art education in both continents, from a transcultural perspective (you can learn more at this link: https://tpaae.eu/).
The TPAAE has designed a diploma and bachelor's degree in Art and Design right at Pwani University, extending the cooperation also to the Technical University in Mombasa and Kenyatta University in Nairobi.
‘In this project there is precisely an action dedicated to children, the Kids Session of the DUOS Festival, which was held for three editions between Kilifi and Mombasa,’ explains the Italian professor, ‘the actions on the ground have expanded from schools to socio-educational organisations even in Nairobi, such as the Koinonia centre with Father Kizito Sesana.
We like to quote the teaching inherent in this project: 'Aesthetics is not rational. It is a culture, a habit, a desire and an identity. Looking at the contributions of artists, curators and scientists, we invite you to pay attention to what is there. Try to go further, to notice as many details as possible and ask yourself: why does it matter? Remember that creativity is not only for artists. Let this exhibition be the beginning of a new perspective, a perspective where you pay attention to what is beside you. Start being critical, start comparing images, without prejudice and without background. This is your moment to be critical, like a child learning to read the word for the first time'.