u:u – King in check !
December 1884, 126 years ago in the heart of Europe, distinguished politicians and diplomats of the most civilized countries (sic) met to perform one of the greatest acts of Cartesian Geometry applied to Geography that the world has ever seen.
Equipped with a ruler and set-square, these "experts" in African matters drew up imaginary lines of non-existent countries, in the disputed share of a ‘black-delicacy’ with which they would satiate industry’s greedy hunger for resources, and rescue an economy in steep decline.
Justified by the need of progress, and by the philanthropic deed of taking civilisation to the fragile tribal communities of Africa, this action undertaken with the involvement of several African kings (still a controversial fact nowadays, with mixed scholar views), proved to be too sugary for the teeth of all these gentlemen.
What goes around comes around, and this bittersweet gathering which became known as the Scramble for Africa, was one of the reasons that triggered World War I and gave rise to an indigestible rose candy between Portugal and England, in 1890.
This play puts in context a part of history that is unknown to many people. Being part of a western Capitalistic, "well designed society" where the flow of information is constructed and the education poor, people forget to ask pertinent question such as why Africa is divided by straight lines.
Hence this play is an opportunity to introduce a part of history that is supposed to be given more attention since it would provide a useful source of information and it would explain many political decisions taken upon Africa.
Ultimatum:Ultimato-te was presented in Cape Verde and in England, and it will sail further in 2011.
www.10pt.org/ultimatum
Links. www.10pt.org www.facebook.com/pages/10pt-Associacao-Artistica-Cultural-Lusofona/127564653954040 www.facebook.com/pages/UU/171646969524574
Manifesto: a means of expression
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