Thu, 16 Nov
10 amKITONG-KIASS International 3RRR-Symposium 2023
The Significance of Restitution in Africa and for the Diaspora using the example of the Benin Bronzes
15 November, press conference at AFRIEUROTEXT
16 & 17 November Symposium at the Weltmuseum Wien (programme see below)
Registration: 1st day, Thu, 16 November & 2nd day, Fri, 17 November
This second edition of the KITONG-KIASS INTERNATIONAL 3RRR SYMPOSIUM 2023 is dedicated to the importance of restitution for the African continent as well as for the African Diaspora, using the Benin Bronzes as an example.
Phil Otaniyen Omodamwen, a 6th generation Benin bronze caster from Benin City, Nigeria, will be the guest of honour. He was born in Benin City into the Omodamwen´s family which belongs to the Benin bronze guild since 1504 AD and proudly keeps alive over 500 years heritage of bronze casting. Numerous other speakers and players from the African Diaspora in Austria, as well as from the Austrian and international civil society, will shape this high-profile event.
The aim is to foster and strengthen the necessity of an inclusive and differentiated dialogue between Austrian Federal Museums, governmental institutions, and the African Diaspora in Austria, to work towards a sustainable and inclusive collaboration with African Diasporas in Austria, to tackle the complexity of the Restitution Issue and shape the present and the future together.
‘KITONG-KIASS’ is an expression from the Yangben language, which is a variant of the Yambassa language group in Cameroon. Kitong means heritage or memory, while Kiass means our. Therefore, ‘KITONG-KIASS’ translates to ‘Our heritage, our memory’. It is about sharing, healing, including, a new ethic of memory.
Conception and Organisation: AFRIEUROTEXT and fresh Magazine in cooperation with the Weltmuseum Wien
Participation: free (a valid museum ticket is required to visit the exhibitions)
Registration: 1st day, Thu, 16 November & 2nd day, Fri, 17 November
Meeting Point: WMW Forum
The symposium will be held partly in German and partly in English.
Programme Friday, 17th of November
10 - 10.45 a.m. | Lena Fankhauser "Deconstruction of classical music" | |
11 - 11.30 a.m. | Hawwa Ozotu Oshafum, MSc "African women and their importance in terms of empowerment" | |
11.45 – 12.24 a.m. | DI Ing. Oluyemi Olawale Ogundele "Oduduwa art and Yoruba masks, cultural and socio-political meanings | |
1 – 1.50 p.m. | Break | |
2 – 2.30 p.m. | Audrey Kodjo "What is Diaspora Creative?" | |
2.45 – 3.15 p.m. | Samson Ogiamien "Iyagbon's Mirror" | |
3.20 – 3.50 p.m. | Marie-Edwige Hartig "What is Jaapo?" | |
4 – 5.45 p.m. | Round table discussion "Should Austria bury its head in the sand in view of the complexity of the restitution issue?" | |
6 – 6.30 p.m. | Fatima Sidibe “How do Reels manage to create new narratives about the African continent?” | |
6.40 – 7.15 p.m. | Prof. Walter Sauer SADOCC (Southern Africa Documentation and Cooperation Centre) | |
7.30 – 7.45 p.m. | Poetry slam by and with Whitney Akpetsi alias Gawdesque | |
7.50 – 8.30 p.m. | Dr. Graciela Faffelberger “Cultural Heritage Protection and Restitution of Cultural Goods from Non-European States in Austria and at the EU Level – Lessons from the Restitution Process of the Benin Bronzes” |
Programme Thursday, 16th of November
10.30 - 11 a.m. | Welcome words by Dr Jonathan Fine, Director of the Weltmuseum Wien | |
11 - 11.30 a.m. | Welcome remarks by Dr Daniel Romuald Bitouh, Director of AFRIEUROTEXT | |
11.30 - 1.30 p.m. | Speech by Prof Kum'a Ndumbe III "On the importance of restitution in Africa and for the African diaspora" | |
1.30 - 2.20 p.m. | Break | |
2 – 2.55 p.m. | Melanie Orishebemigho Volgger, Emefa Ama Holl & Anna Starzinger "What is the WIRD project? WIRD stands for appreciation and inclusion against racism and discrimination" | |
3 – 3.35 p.m. | Esther-Maria Kürmayr "What is the SFC (Black Women's Community)?" | |
3.40 – 4.20 p.m. | Amina El-Gamal & Ramazan Yildiz "What is ZARA? Understanding Racism - Fighting Racism - Why we need a National Action Plan against Racism" | |
4.30 - 7 p.m. | Workshop and exchange with Benin's bronze artist and specialist Sir Phil Otaniyen Omodamwen "About the so-called Benin Bronzes" | |
7.10 – 8 p.m. | Madge Gill Bukasa “ Cultural Appropriation” |
Contact & Symposium-coordination:
Email: office@afrieurotext.at / leitung.afrieurotext@afrieurotext.at
Telephone: 0043 650 723509 / 0043 676 6800911
