APIS Institute and Public institute Mladi zmaji invite girls of Slovenian–African and African descent to the first of five workshops in the ROOTS project (Diversity & Growing Up: Support Through Sisterhood).

 

What is ROOTS project about?

The ROOTS project (Diversity & Growing Up: Support Through Sisterhood) is a cycle of workshops designed for girls of Slovenian–African and African roots between the ages of 11 and 15. Through conversation and the exchange of experiences and opinions in a safe space, participants will explore topics that are especially relevant in the formative teenage years: self-image, physical development, personal strength, and visual appearance.
The girls are invited to actively participate in discussions and activities, which they will help co-shape. The workshops will also feature Maša Kagao Knez and Irena Yebuah Tiran, both of Slovenian–African roots. With their experiences, the girls will find it easier to identify and may discover positive role models in one another and in their mentors.
The activities are designed to support participants in developing greater self-confidence in environments where they are constantly observed and often misunderstood.

At the first workshop, 30.8. 8. 2025, the main theme is movement. Activities and discussion are designed to better understand how movement helps us connect more strongly with our bodies, get to know them better, and accept them more easily. This supports us in feeling more comfortable in our own skin and projecting greater confidence outwardly. Maša Kagao Knez and Irena Yebuah Tiran share with us their extensive knowledge and experience related to movement and Tiara Rakoto Kovačič supports participants with her knowledge and experience.
The first part of the activities places at the Mladi zmaji Golovec, while the second part will be in the form of a hike on Golovec combined with relaxed socializing. The workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — more information can be found below in the Invitation to the first workshop.

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At the second workshop, on September 27, 9. 2025the participants attend the play Prepelka – A Story for the Whole Family at the Slovene Youth Theatre. After the performance, they engage in a discussion with the leading actress Irena Yebuah Tiran and co-actor Matej Zemljič. The conversation also includes Lina Akif, an actress of African descent employed at the Youth Theatre. The girls are invited to take an active role in the discussion and share their views on the play.

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At the third workshop, on October 11, 2025, 11. 10. 2025the discussion takes place at the Golovec Youth Centre on physical and psychological development during the most exciting years of adolescence. The conversation focuses on questions related to self-image and explores how experiences of difference can shape a self-image that strengthens personal power and fosters a positive outlook on life. It also addresses the challenges of this period when one looks visually different from peers and considers effective ways of dealing with them. Lina Akif, Maša Kagao Knez, and Tiara Rakoto Kovačič share their experiences with the participants.

The fourth workshop, October 25, 2025, 10. 2025, is dedicated to practical topics: hair care and makeup for dark skin tones. The participants will be joined by Kimberly Camara, a professional hairstylist specializing in multicultural hair styling, who lives and works in Ljubljana.

The final, fifth workshop is dedicated to presenting the process and results of the workshops to the users of the Youth Center Golovec.

Tiara Rakoto Kovačič, a graduate social worker with Slovenian–African roots, will join us at all the workshops.

The workshops were designed based on conversations with the girls and their parents. They draw on the experiences of women of Slovenian-African and African roots from different generations living in Slovenia.

VIDEO NOTE OF THE FIRST WORKSHOP

Some moments captured from the first workshop can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/JiJNLzNqXYQ

Photos by Nino Bektashashvili, video by Zavod APIS.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information about the project or individual workshops, please contact the project manager, Jasna Gabrovšek.

Contact: jasna@zavodapis.si

Workshops are organized by Zavod APIS in cooperation with the Public Institute Mladi zmaji.