The Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Betty Amongi, visited Germany with the aim of forging partnerships between Ugandan universities offering art education and the Dresden University of Fine Arts.
During her visit to Germany, she met with Prof. Oliver Kossack, the head of the Dresden University of Fine Arts. This visit coincided with her participation in the International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists (IAPMA) Congress 2023 in Dresden.
Minister Amongi’s efforts in Germany resulted in securing a commitment to allocate a minimum of four annual slots for Ugandan art students at the summer school of Germany’s Dresden Museum of Decorative Arts.
Her visit to Germany was upon the invitation of Franziska Leischker, also known as Fides Linien, the President of IAPMA.
The Dresden Museum of Decorative Arts, founded in 1876, is associated with Dresden’s decorative arts college. Its purpose is to raise awareness of material and design quality, instruct students, visitors, as well as industrial producers and tradesmen on matters of form and taste.
The IAPMA is a prominent international organization for paper artists, uniting 652 members from 56 different countries across the globe. The IAPMA Congress featured exhibitions of more than 80 artworks from over 32 countries worldwide.
Minister Amongi expressed her admiration for the quality of the paper art showcased by participants, describing it as remarkable and unforgettable. She remarked that the artworks left a profound impression on her and her delegation, highlighting the power of art as a form of communication.
Thomas A. Geisler, the director of the Museum of Decorative Arts, emphasized the significance of paper as not just an industrial product but also as a canvas for artistic expression and messaging. He mentioned the “Peace Paper Project,” an initiative that utilizes traditional papermaking for therapeutic and community engagement purposes.
Dr. Matthias Roessler, the President of the Parliament of the German Free State of Saxony, underscored the role of art in fostering international relations. He expressed hope that Minister Amongi’s visit would strengthen the bilateral ties between Germany and Uganda. Dr. Roessler commended the Paper Alive! Exhibition as a testament to the powerful message conveyed by paper art in the face of global challenges and the multifaceted nature of paper in resource-scarce environments.
