A Slanted special issue that presents outstanding personalities and many good stories in addition to "design eye-candy" from Rwanda

Born from Julia Kahl and Lans Harmsen's experience as jury members for descom's Design Award Rhineland-Palatinate, and a subsequent exhibition that showcased work from both the Partnership Association Rhineland-Palatinate and Rwanda (Jumelage) in Kigali. 

The exhibition caught the attention of Slanted, inspiring editors to take this look at the up-and-coming creative scene in Rwanda.

The country impressed in other ways: plastic bags? Forbidden since 2004. Environmental management is decentralized from the political to the local level, leading to a widespread understanding of how to preserve the environment. On the last Saturday of the month, for example, every citizen is obliged to tidy up the streets. Beginning in 2019, no more used clothing from the West may be imported to Rwanda—an ban that could create around 25,000 new jobs, and encourage the flourishing of the country's textile industry.

To see a developing country implement and carry out such legislations is ground-breaking. It goes to show—anything can be possible if the political will really exists and true efforts are made. 

It is this creative spirit that's embraced in this special issue.

Featuring: Maggie Andresen, Timothy Wandulu / Concept Arts Studio, Mihir Bhatt / Creative Communications Rwanda, Abdi Latif Dahir, Carolin Dürrenberg und Silke Philipps-Deters / descom – Designforum Rheinland-Pfalz, Pierra Ntayombya / Haute Baso, Katharina Hey, Matthew Rugamba / House of Tayo, Innocent Nkurunziza / Inema Arts Center, Umuhire MweneMuntu Isaac, Judith Kaine / Kurema Kureba Kwiga, Jacques Nkinzingabo / Kigali Center for Photography, Niyunkuru Canda & Manzi Jackson / Kuuru Art Space, Moses Turahirwa / Moshions, Lynn Harles, Michael Nieden / Partnerschaftsverein Rheinland-Pfalz – Ruanda, Nelson Niyakire, Guillaume Sardin, Chris Schwagga, Daniel Sommer, and The Economist

Published by Slanted Publishers
First edition, 2019 (English)

Softcover, 128 pages, 6.3 × 9.45 inches

ISSN: 1867-6510