Anecdotes

These bangles come from Mopti in Mali. But they are also made in other places and it goes like this: a group of women collects damaged or lost flip-flops, washes them, cuts them into small pieces and heats the pieces in a small pot over some coal. When the mass is soft, it can be made into the bangles by hand.

From a practical point of view, they are ideal: light, comfortable to wear, can be worn while bathing, and many bangles can be combined in color.

Unfortunately, Mali is one of the countries that cannot be visited since several years: military regimes and Islamist groups shape everyday life.

The year is coming to an end and I hope that 2024 will be a peaceful and beautiful year: with time for friends, sports, culture and leisure. And much more. First of all, happy holidays and a good start to the year.

First of all I hope to see you again in January. The shop will remain open during the holiday season; In mid-January, I will take a week off for this.

On Friday, October 13, 4-9 p.m., the opening of the exhibition of well-known Nigerian artists: paintings and photographs by Silas Onoya, Peter Eneji, Reuben Ayodeji, Addis Okooli, Alexander Ashimole, Ayo de Popoola, Emmanuel Okorafor and Rufai Ismaila is the vernissage. The pictures will remain until October 27th, when the finissage will take place. Where: in the vaulted cellar at Gerechtigkeitsgasse 72 in the old town of Bern.

Welcome!

Not our symbol of peace, but a common symbol of peace in the Sahel. This model is from Niger. A coup d’état took place here a few weeks ago, the military deposed the (perhaps democratically) elected president. Fortunately, it did not come to war, which many people in Niger feared. But it is not only an internal uprising, the EU and France, the West African Union, as well as Russia (Wagner Group in Mali) and China are also pursuing their interests here. May peace remain.

Born in 1990, the artist Melina Hofstetter has been painting since childhood, starting with comic drawings and ending with abstract painting. In addition, as a painting teacher, Melina gives lessons to mixed groups and designs painting studios in old people’s homes. In addition to her artistic work, she works as a nurse in a retirement home in Bern.

We are very pleased to be able to exhibit her paintings here at «A Touch of Africa», here in the vaulted cellar at Gerechtigkeitsgasse 72 in Bern.

Vernissage: Friday, June 2nd (16:00-20:30); Finissage: Friday, July 7 (also 16:00-20:30).

You are welcome to view the pictures during the store’s opening hours: Wednesday and Friday 12:30-18:00 and Saturday 11:00-17:00.

www.melinahofstetter.com

For Easter we just received the pretty guinea fowls from Ethiopia: ceramics with hundreds of white dots, each dot individually painted by hand. We mainly have very small chickens, but also a few larger ones. And also brightly painted candles in egg shape. Look under “Candles” and “Easter”.

Already four weeks have passed and the exhibition at A Touch of Africa is coming to an end. We have exhibited paintings by René Maviaki, Congo/Switzerland, with very good response.

The finissage will take place on Saturday, November 26 from 4.00 pm in the vaulted cellar “A Touch of Africa” (formerly dix-sept) at Gerechtigkeitsgasse 72. This is directly at the bus stop “Rathaus” in the direction of the train station.

A warm welcome!

Wir haben wieder die schönen Bronzefiguren von Adama Ouedraogo aus Burkina Faso erhalten. Nicht vom Fussballer Adama Ouedraogo, auch nicht vom Schwimmer Adama Ouedraogo sondern vom Künstler. ich freue mich immer wieder über diese Frauen, die in aller Ruhe ein Buch lesen statt, wie man so oft sieht, Holz oder Wasser schleppen. Auch die kleineren Figuren von Adamo sind weit entfernt von schwerer Arbeit.

Recently I received a visit from a dear friend from Niger. He brought beautiful jewelry from his cooperative and I bought some pieces. For years, tourism in Niger has collapsed, Islamist groups terrorize the population and the danger for tourists is great. I bought beautiful crosses from several regions, ear jewelry and rings. You can find them here in the internet store or in the store at Gerechtigkeitsgasse 72 in the old town of Bern.

The beautiful and warm weather has arrived, now Easter can follow. Small chocolate eggs we offer you none, but many things to decorate the Easter table: Hand-painted candles in the shape of eggs from South Africa, small bunnies and eggs made of soapstone from Kenya, ceramic guinea fowls from Ethiopia and recycled plastic chickens from South Africa. A warm welcome!

It’s hard today for me to write anything about our new products with enthusiasm. For several weeks now, we have been witnessing the military attack on Ukraine, forcing millions of people to flee. We can and should certainly help, but we need a lasting peace for all. Worldwide. This also applies to the many countries in Africa where violence is common and the opportunities to lead a peaceful life are low.

This week (21.-28. February) we sell the small Moroccan ceramic bowls with 20% discount. They are ideal for snacks and sweets, but also look very good in the bathroom. With two clicks (“kitchen and table” and then “ceramic bowls Morocco”) you can get directly to the bowls. And to get the discount, enter the voucher code BPFKFKCZ at the checkout. And you have secured a touch of Marrakech in your apartment.

The discount weeks continue: from 15-21 February I sell Tuareg products with 20% discount. This is mostly silver jewelry, but also book marks in silver or key chains. See if you like a finger ring, some earrings or a necklace. The jewelry is silver 925, so pure silver, with a few exceptions stated. Same as last week, pay 80% of the stated price and if you don’t want to pick up the selected item yourself, also pay the stated postage. A suitable time to pick up you can arrange via info@atouchofafrica.ch or 079 436 71 18. I look forward to seeing you again.

Discounts on individual product categories continue during the lockdown: this week, that is, from 8 – 14 February, it’s the turn of lamps made of natural products. Look under lighting and there the lamps made of fur or feathers.  I can send them by mail, or you can pick up the lamp yourself in the showroom. You can arrange the time on 079 436 71 18 or by mail info@atouchofafrica.ch. You simply pay 80% of the stated price and depending on the postage, whether shipping or pick up yourself. A week later, another product group with discount is the focus.

I would prefer to meet you in person, but I can accommodate you with the price: During the first week of February, you can order the South African cups including milk jugs, sugar bowls and trays at a 20% discount. I can send them by mail, or you can pick up the cups yourself at the showroom. You can arrange the time via 079 436 71 18 or by mail info@atouchofafrica.ch. A week later, the focus is on another product group with discount. For February that makes 4 times. Hopefully I can open again on March 1.

I am glad that the Federal Council is showing itself to be active and committed in the fight against covid. And yet it is a pity that I have to close the showroom again for many weeks. That means no direct contact with customers. I can sell via the Internet store. And it is also possible to order products and pick them up in the showroom. You can do that by phone (079 436 71 18) or by mail (info@atouchofafrica.ch). I will continue to make new orders; so it is always worthwhile to look at the website of A Touch of Africa.