South African films and photos, as well as a Bok Walk and Illuminated Tree Walk will be featured during The University of Richmond’s campus-wide celebration of International Education Week November 12-16.
Themes of justice, inequality, commemoration, and environmental stewardship will be explored in the classroom and through campus programming.
“From contrasting cultures of protest to debates about monuments, Richmond has much to share and learn from our peers in South Africa,” said Martha Merritt, dean of international education. “Our goal of international education week is to expand knowledge and our ability for partnership by ‘meeting’ in a culture in which so many of us find related experience. A highlight is photographer Johnny Miller’s talk and photos of inequality in Richmond and cities in South Africa.”
Events include:
African Film Weekend: Exploring South Africa
Nov. 9 – 11
This annual festival of contemporary film features a selection of the most highly-acclaimed work produced throughout Africa and celebrates African culture through cinema. Free and open to the public, both UR and the greater Richmond communities have the opportunity to explore South African culture through the realm of filmmaking. The full schedule can be viewed on the festival website.
Photo Exhibit: Unequal Scenes
Nov. 12 – 16
Specializing in drone and aerial photography, Johnny Miller’s work explores poverty and inequality in clear and evocative fashion from high above. From golf courses next to shanty towns to super highways buzzing near housing projects, his drone has peered above cities on multiple continents. In this exhibit, his photos of South Africa and Richmond, Virginia — separated by thousands of miles — hang side by side and explore themes of segregation and inequality. The photos have been currated and captioned by students from UR’s Geography department.
Bok Walk & Breakfast
Nov. 12, 10 a.m.
South Africa Week will kick off with a walk across campus named in honor of South Africa’s national animal, and rugby team mascot, the springbok, a type of antelope. Members of the campus community will gather at the Forum as local dancers, drummers, and those who have lived in South Africa lead the campus community to the International Center Commons for a continental breakfast and short program highlighting events and themes for the week. Walk participants will be dressed in festive accessories that speak to South African arts and culture. Socks, hats, or scarves with colors or patterns from the national flag, Springbok rugby gear, and patterned and colorful textiles will be on display.
Illuminated Tree Walk & Annual International Dinner
Nov. 14, 5 p.m.
The greater Richmond community is invited to join the campus community for a scenic and reflective walk across campus, starting at the International Center with sung “call and response”. The walk, marked by illuminated trees, will feature pop-up stations that will highlight South African culture and influence, including protest, children’s literature, sport, and travel. Participants will explore themes of justice, reconciliation, commemoration, and environmental stewardship. The walk concludes with a South African dinner at Heilman Dining Center featuring authentic recipes of South African fare. See the dining hall website for special dinner rates.
Visit the International Week website for more details.
