Skateistan – The Tale of Skateboarding in Afghanistan
June 9th 2012: Book release and exhibition opening // from 6 PM // DAZ
June 10th 2012: Exhibition // 2 - 7 PM // DAZ
As soon as Australian skateboarder Oliver Percovich arrived in Kabul in 2007, he was surrounded by the eager faces of children of all ages who wanted to be shown how to skate. This passion for skateboarding in Afghanistan ultimately caused the formation of the very first skateboard school in the country: Skateistan.
Very few people in Afghanistan have ever seen a skateboard, however kids quickly became enthusiastic about the possibilities provided by a board with four wheels. Skateistan uses skateboarding as a tool for the empowerment of young people in places it hasn‘t existed before, while giving young people a voice, and giving local people agency to shape projects according to need. In addition to Skateboarding, children receive education in arts and media. Skateistan also offers a Back to School program which helps students gain enrolment into local schools. In a society marked by war and strongly held traditions, which inhibits free personal development, Skateistan offers young people a relevant new perspective.
The official book release will be on June 9th in Berlin at the DAZ. The founder of Skateistan, Oliver Percovich, will fly in from Kabul to open the event personally and share his own stories about the project.
Program
6pm: Open doors
7pm: Opening of the exhibition by Oliver Percovich, founder of Skateistan.
8pm: Q&A with Oliver Percovich and Skateistan Team as well as Tom Koenigs, former UN Ambassador in Kabul. Host: Lukas Feireiss, one of the book‘s authors
After: Party
Exhibition
In addition to the newly printed books the exhibition will include photographs and artwork from the book. The exhibition will also be open on June 10th.
Book
The book "Skateistan – The Tale of Skateboarding in Afghanistan" offers insights into the history of Skateistan – ranging from the first skate sessions in an empty fountain in Kabul and the building of the skatepark to the potential future direction of Skateistan in Afghanistan and worldwide. In addition to the focus on Skateistan the book is augmented with interesting and unique content about Afghanistan and its people. What is Skateistan and how can skateboarding succeed in a war torn country? – The book delivers answers to these questions.
Further information about the book
