Italy Reveals Huge Painting At Kenyan Primary School

The Italian Cultural Institute, The Italian Embassy, and the Reuben centre in collaboration with artist Daniele Tozzi and other partners on Friday, October 21 unveiled a large-scale mural on the occasion of the XXII Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo (XXII World Italian Language Week) whose theme this year is “L’Italiano e i Giovani” (The Italian language and Youngsters).

The work - realized using the calligram technique - will feature a set of words in Italian and English that will compose artistic figures and compositions.

The words drive at doing better, making your better best and making a difference can be found in the mural and are some of the key facets of education the world over.

Management of the Ruben Centre alongside H.E. Roberto Natali, Ambassador of Italy to Kenya, Dr Gallenca Elena - Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, Daniele Tozzi, the mural artist and Brian Mwanika- Music Director, Ghetto Classics Mukuru. /COURTESY

Speaking at the unveiling, H.E. Roberto Natali, Ambassador of Italy to Kenya said that the initiative with the school was one of many ways to make a difference in the lives of the students at the school.

"The mural contains words taken from the Ruben School motto, the ghetto classics motto and a bit of Italian on it as well. This brings together the Italian language week beautifully through a merge of both cultures dedicated to these young minds,” he said.

The Italian Cultural Institute in Nairobi is the cultural office of the Embassy of Italy in Kenya and therefore is a peripheral body of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The Institute, as per its aims, organizes and promotes cultural events such as exhibitions, film festivals, concerts, conferences, theatre and dance performances; it also facilitates inter-university relations between educational institutions.

“Thank you for allowing us to be here at the Reuben School to have this permanent mark on your premises. What you are doing for the students here and the community with the school, health centre and vocational training is amazing and we are happy to be a part of it”, said Elena Gallenca, the director of the Italian Cultural Institute who added that she was grateful for Elizabeth Njoroge CEO of the Art of Music Foundation who introduced them to the school for this project.

The artist, Daniele Tozzi during his speech said that he merged the world of graphics and the world of graffiti to make the "lettering" technique also called the calligram technique which he used on the mural.

Speaking to the children, he said, “This mural is no longer mine, it is yours and the little elephant on it is in motion which is significant because it will motivate you to keep studying, keep walking and keep growing into strong young minds.”

This initiative is organized in collaboration with Bonobolabo, Reuben centre and Ghetto Classics for the occasion of the 22nd edition of the 'Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo' (World Italian Language Week), which this year is dedicated to the theme 'Italian and young people.

"This collaboration between the Italian Embassy, the Italian cultural institute, Ghetto classics and Reuben center can grow and touch more lives in and around the Ruben Center," Said Brian  Mwanika- Music Director, Ghetto Classics Mukuru.

He welcomed the Italian Embassy and Institute of culture to find more ways to engage the students and the community in the Mukuru Kwa Ruben area.

Scholastica Opiyo - Headteacher AEF Ruben Primary unveiling the mural with H.E. Roberto Natali – Ambassador of Italy to Kenya on October 21, 2022. /COURTESY