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Around Town
Sister act
As International Women’s Day attempts to rally the masses, Anna Millar finds that hope begins at home
‘I T’S really about stepping back and understanding someone else’s plight,’ explains Edinburgh IWD organiser Jenna Sapiano, as she describes the aim of the capital’s contribution to International Women’s Day.
Now in its 100th year, this March marks the launch of the first global Join Me on the Bridge campaign, as part of the programme. Women from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo will stand together in peace on a bridge linking the two countries to demand an end to war. In solidarity, the people of Edinburgh, alongside campaigners in the Sudan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and cities across the UK and the USA, will join together to help raise awareness of the plight of women. ‘It’s about standing together and celebrating the work that’s being done by women all over the world,’ says Sapiano. The event on 8 March is, she says, as much about contemplation as it is celebration. Senegalese musician Samba Sene and Edinburgh drumming society DrumSoc will provide the music for the afternoon; elsewhere Zimbabwean Emmanuel Sairosi will read poetry and there will stalls selling food and jewellery.
Talks will be held to help give people an overview
of the ongoing conflicts inflicted on women throughout the world, with contributions from Sheila Kapungun, an Oxfam programme officer based in Zimbabwe; Shirley-Anne Somerville, the MSP for Lothian and Gerda Siann, the Honorary Consul for Rwanda, as well as many more.
‘We’ve tried to bring together people who have had very different experiences, because they offer fascinating – and very different – perspectives,’ explains Sapiano. ‘It’s about making people aware but it’s also about people coming together, having fun and just celebrating the incredibly strong women that have come before us and continue to do great work.’
As part of the celebrations, Women for Women International have teamed up with the Africa in Motion film festival to show award-winning Liberian documentary, Pray the Devil Back to Hell, at Edinburgh’s Filmhouse Cinema on 5 March. ‘The film speaks so strongly of the power women can have,’ says Sapiano. ‘That’s the message we really want people to take away from this whole thing.’
Join Me On the Bridge for International Women’s Day, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Mon 8 Mar, noon.
www.list.co.uk/aroundtown Hitlist FASHION, FROLICS & FRIENDSHIP*
✽✽ Vintage Sounds We’re all about the style this issue, and here’s your chance to enjoy some fine togs, all for a good cause, with a runway show of vintage fashions and live music from Pooch and Tango in the Attic. Proceeds go to Oxfam. Queen Margaret Union, 22 University Gardens, Glasgow, Thu 11 Mar. ✽✽ Cryptic Nights This popular night has become a well-honed stomping ground for creative types. This month Yann Seznec deconstructs the exercise video in ‘ExerciseMagic!!’ and Rachel MacLean tackles Scottishness. CCA, Glasgow, Thu 4 Mar. ✽✽ Glasgow School of Art Fashion Show One for the fashion savvy, as this year’s show celebrates the centenary of the Mackintosh building, and students draw inspiration from the GSA archives. The Vic Café Bar, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Tue 9 & Wed 10 Mar. ✽✽ Join Me on the Bridge . See preview, left, plus listings for full details of events in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Mon 8 Mar. ✽✽ Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace 2010 A celebration of all aspects of spiritual peacemaking, with a wide range of events including talks, spiritual retreats, workshops, conferences and more. Various venues, Edinburgh, Fri 5–Thu 18 Mar. 4–18 Mar 2010 THE LIST 29