International Youth Speaker to Share Story of War and the Transformative Power of the Arts

UNICEF Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict and Recipient of the Women’s Refugee Commission Voice of Courage Award, Mariatu Kamara, who will be speaking at the KWIC World Issues Café at ShowplacePeterborough on January 28th, 2012, held in conjunction with ReFrame Film Festival.

Mariatu’s keynote presentation, “Youth, War and the Arts: A Journey to Transformation will be a personal sharing of her journey to healing and reconciliation, which began with her introduction to the performing arts as a member of the Aberdeen Theatre Troupe in an Amputee Camp for war-wounded people in the outskirts of Freetown, Sierra Leone in West Africa where she was born and raised. Her harrowing experiences as a child victim of war and its aftermath are the subject of her memoir, The Bite of the Mango (Annick Press, 2008). Mariatu’s breathtaking story of courage, hope and inspiration will be followed by the ReFrame Saturday night feature film, To Be Heard (USA, 87 mins), a documentary which narrates the experiences of high school youth who are trying to transform their lives through written and spoken word.

This unique evening of storytelling, film and live performance will appeal to young and old alike as an opportunity to explore the connections between issues of global social justice, poverty, the human spirit, and the possibilities for personal and collective transformation and reconciliation through the arts.

A dinner hour Mix & Mingle Reception catered by Black Honey will be held at ArtSpace (378 Alymer Street) from 6-7pm to provide community members an opportunity to meet Mariatu Kamara in person for conversation and book signing. Tickets are $10.00 for students and $25 regular price and include admission to the KWIC World Issues Café presentation and reserved A-level seating at the ReFrame Saturday night feature film, beginning at 7:30pm at Showplace.

Mix & Mingle with Mariatu tickets can be purchased from the Kawartha World Issues Centre in ESC B101 at Trent University, Titles Bookstore and The SPILL on George Street in downtown Peterborough. Donations will be accepted for the Mariatu Foundation which raises money to create homes for abused women and children in Sierra Leone. Copies of 

Bite of the Mango can be purchased during the reception for signing.

For more information about the KWIC World Issues Café and fundraising reception, please visit

www.kwic.info or call 705-748-1680.