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Døcumatism is filming the African diaspora in Kypseli, where it is based, as part of cultural activities that aim to destigmatize the neighbourhood
2015-2018 Kypseli, Athens, Greece
Films and interviews with people of African descent in Greece became the starting point for the creation of a film about the African diaspora in Athens. The refusal to finance the production of this film spurs the creation of an alternative artistic model that uses the moving image as a starting point: all phases of the production of a film are combined with public actions on key social issues, render visible those who are invisible and aspire to design and launch possible solutions.
the AfroGreeks project acts as a public platform to those who feel marginalized and firstly aims to destigmatize the neighborhood where most of the African diaspora in Athens lives. Artistic actions and synergies became the beginning for the de-characterization of Kypseli as a “ghetto” and the creation of an audiovisual archive that makes every recipient an eyewitness.
Every Sunday, Father Alban Aguezeala, who is of African descent, organizes at the Catholic church of Saint Therese in Kypseli, a second service in English, incorporating elements of African culture and music. The African diaspora of Athens fills the church, organizes a dynamic choir and during a musical and dance procession offer foodstuffs at the altar which are then distributed to the homeless of Athens whose number has increased dramatically during the 10-year crisis. The Africans of Kypseli feel free every Sunday: they organize their own ceremonies which they accompany with Sunday festivals. Some conservative church circles are opposed to these events and the priest asks for cooperation with the AfroGreeks project. The filmed materials, on-site activities such as the project’s video installation inside the church, open discussions with communities that support the incorporation of elements of African tradition into the ceremonies, and synergies with artists and cultural organizations, including the Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Greece, succeed in postponing the priest’s eviction from Saint Therese church.
