The Goethe-Institut Namibia and local partners were able to once again promote science education through fun, interactive activities and films. The theme “Better Health through Better Understanding” was befitting to the current situation and well received by the public. In collaboration with the Scientific Society Namibia, Swakopmund Scientific Society, The Ministry of Mines and Energy and UNESCO, the week-long festival inclusive of a series of activities, experiments and films was hosted for the first time in the coastal city of Swakopmund.
Film screenings took place in Windhoek at partner institutions such as the Scientific Society Namibia and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung KAS Namibia/ Angola. It is important to note that Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung KAS Namibia/ Angola was interested on the topic and paired each screening with a talk that hosted influential patrons such as the Deputy Min. of Information and Communication Technology.
In connection to the festival theme we also hosted a therapeutic artmaking session. This was well attended and lead to a huge demand to have follow-up sessions. The session hosted on a Saturday morning was experiential and sensory based, promoting healing, growth and insight. The session involved five activities to assist the participants to unwind and find their creative voice. Two weeks later in the coastal town of Swakopmund the second leg of the festival was hosted. This was our first attempt at decentralizing the event and was well received from guests, tourists and patrons of the town.
Unfortunately, due to the rise of Covid-19 cases in Europe we had to cancel the children’s workshop that was planned to be hosted by Darius Zander. The workshop was to follow after specific film screenings for context and extensive programming. However, this didn’t deter our partners from continuing with the programme. All in all even with the Covid cases rising we were able to accomplish our fourth and final edition of the science Film Festival through Science Week. We are grateful to our partners and their commitment to science education.
