Calling Back History - Africa.

For decades, our world witnessed numerous wars, leaving a trail of disrupted lives—children, mothers, fathers, and grandparents caught in the crossfire. These conflicts, fueled by power, money, and the pursuit of safety, sometimes sacrificed the freedom of others. "Echoes of History" was a theatre project aimed at illuminating historical war events worldwide, with a specific focus on Africa. The project delved into the stories of those affected by wars in the continent, as at that time, fifteen African countries grappled with ongoing or post-war conflicts.

Kilkenny Performance Group.

The Kilkenny group comprised individuals with firsthand experience as refugees in Africa, adding authenticity to the project's message. Leveraging their personal encounters with global events, the group aimed to convey the stark reality of conditions in Africa and worldwide. The goal was to allow the audience to empathize with the genuine struggles faced by the continent.

- Highlighted historical war events in Africa and their impact.
- Drew attention to the abuses suffered by victims, both in conflict zones and in places they sought refuge.
- Educated migrants and citizens about coexistence and mutual understanding, discouraging the imposition of one's culture on another.
- Enhanced the project director's choreographic skills and project management abilities.
- Provided the group with stage performance experience and fostered creative thinking in theater.
- Promoted community integration by fostering an understanding of cultural differences and emphasizing the unity within the community.
The project was planned for a duration of 12 weeks, with 9 weeks in Kilkenny and 3 weeks in Dublin. This timeline accommodated both performance and workshop activities, ensuring flexibility to suit the availability of group members. Detailed scheduling was outlined in the following table.
A comprehensive documentation process, including photography and video documentaries, captured the essence of the project. Interviews with locals explored themes of migration, community integration, and their associated benefits. The documentary also featured a dance workshop titled "TSTM" (Telling Stories Through Movement), involving the South Dublin Community, as well as scenes from the final showcase. The video aimed to not only record the research and outcomes but also serve as a tool for community engagement.

Project Coordination.

On the 23rd of August 2018, Kelvin Akpaloo, a passionate and creative performer originally born in Ghana (West Africa), but now an Irish citizen, and the creative director of Eurobug, served as the main coordinator of this project. Funded by the South Dublin County Council and supported by Eurobug Youth in Kilkenny and Dublin, Kelvin, and the Kilkenny Eurobug Youth hosted a workshop to tell the story of Africa (Calling Back History-Africa). The workshop aimed to create a theatrical piece to raise awareness of past wars and their effects on the continent of Africa. Additionally, it sought to draw attention to the abuses victims experienced and to educate both migrants and citizens on living together harmoniously without imposing one's culture on the other.

At the time, Kelvin, who was 21 years old, had experience in dance and had performed on prominent stages, including The Helix, the Pearse Museum, the Civic Theatre (Noise Moves Festival for 4 years), Smoke Alley Theatre, and Rua Red on the local level. His performances had also reached audiences in six different countries: Serbia, Lithuania, Italy, Slovenia, Portugal, and Georgia.