‘Looking B(L)ACK SYMPOSIUM’

A weekend of talks and performances dedicated to the notion of Black Travel, curated by Johny Pitts and Afropean team.

Within the general notion of travelling, the Symposium will look to complicate an area overly hinged on white, masculine, heteronormative experiences, and celebrate the gaze of a diverse group travelers who are often ignored.

Inspired by the conviviality and international politics of the Harlem Renaissance, the Negritude Movement, and postwar African Independence, BOZAR Brussels will set the stage for a weekend of art, photography, historical narratives, poetry performances, live music and panel discussions, bringing to life the myriad ways members of the Black community experience the world through travelling. 

With the participation of : Caryl Phillips, Marie Daulne aka ZAP MAMA, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Tete-Michel Kpomassie, Bernardine Evaristo, Inua Ellams and more.

Johny Pitts is a writer, author of the forthcoming publication ‘Afropean: Documenting Black Europe’, photographer, and broadcast journalist. He has received various awards for his work exploring Afro-European identity.

PROGRAMME

19 OCT.  2018

19.00- 21.00
Mizike Mama (Belgique, 52’, 1991)
Marie Daulne AKA Zap Mama in conversation with Johny Pitts

20 OCT.  2018

10.30-11.00:Opening Remarks by Johny Pitts
11.00-13.00: Panel  Decolonizing Travel
w/ Sulaiman Addonia, Lola Akinmade, Bani Amor, Kevi Donat, Jessica De Abreu, , Bernardine Evaristo. Chair: Sibo Kanobana.

Lunch Break

15.00-16.30: Keynote I Saw Mario Balotelli in the Ghetto
Caryl Phillips
Q&A by Jonhy Pitts
16.30-17.00 Coffee break

17.00-18. 30: The African Eskimo (London, 48’, 1988)
Tété-Michel Kpomassie in conversation with Claude Grunitzky
Dinner Break

20.00-22.00: Poetry, Literature & music night Black Britain
w/ Bernadine Evaristo, Inua Ellams, Amina Jama, Catherine Johnson, Roger Robinson, Nick Makoha
Special guest: Linton Kwesi Johnson

22.20-23.00: Marie Daulne (AKA Zap Mama) VJ/Dj set