Commemorating milestones in conflict
It’s been 100 years since the beginning of the First World War, 75 years since the Second World War and 20 since the genocide in Rwanda. This November and December, a series of lectures, films and panel discussions, as well as an exhibition and a theatre production, will be held to commemorate and reflect on these momentous world events and learn about the effect of war and violence on people, their influence on the development of modern warfare and the prevention and responsibility to prevent war, genocide and mass atrocities.
From the Trenches of the Marne to the Hills of Rwanda: Reflections on 100 Years of War, Genocide and
Mass Violence is brought to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town by the Alliance Française, the British Council, the European Union National Institutes for Culture, the Goethe-Institut, the French Institute of SA, the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung and the South African History Archive, together with a range of South African and European partners.
“This Reflections series uses history as a lens to highlight resonances between past and contemporary struggles for justice,” says Catherine Kennedy of the South African History Archive.
“The series of events will not only promote greater awareness of, and respect for, human rights and responsibilities but will also facilitate discussions about lessons we can learn from the past and how this can be applied in the present to strengthen democracy and equality in South Africa.”
Events will be held in various cultural institutions, museums, education centres and universities around Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. The programme will include a theatre production, lectures and panel discussions by international academics, authors and filmmakers, film series, education workshops and book discussions.