“We Were Here: The Untold History of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe” by director Fred Kudjo Kuwornu unveils the untold history of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe through iconic artworks. This multilingual film, shot across Europe, challenges the notion that all Blacks were slaves or servants. It reveals a diverse presence, including princes, ambassadors, merchants, and religious figures. Narrated from an Afro-European perspective, it explores stories absent from traditional history books.
Following the film screening, there will be a conversation with its director Fred Kunjo Kuwornu.
This event is co-sponsored by the Black Baroque Project, Arts + Public Life, the Departments of Art History and of Romance Languages and Literature at the University of Chicago, and the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago.
This is a free event with registration.