Salama Fikira Assists International Multimedia Project Across Nairobi
Nairobi 12 June 2026: In May 2026, Salama Fikira was pleased to support a unique cultural project that brought together art, diplomacy and international development in the heart of Nairobi. Promoted by the Italian Cultural Institute of Nairobi and the Embassy of Italy in Kenya, Jute Portraits was a multimedia light projection project created by acclaimed Italian artist Franz Cerami. Developed in collaboration with the UNIDO ACT Coffee Programme, the project highlighted the people at the centre of Kenya's coffee industry, celebrating the farmers, workers and communities whose efforts sustain one of the country's most important export sectors. Drawing on encounters across Kenya's coffee value chain, Cerami created approximately 300 video portraits that were transformed into animated artworks and projected onto buildings across Nairobi. Through light, movement and storytelling, the project sought to make visible the faces and stories that often remain unseen behind the global coffee trade. Over the nights of 28 and 29 May, the artist and his team moved between locations across the city, projecting large-scale images onto prominent buildings and temporarily transforming familiar urban spaces into striking public artworks. While visually impressive, the project presented a number of practical challenges. Operating late at night, moving specialist equipment between locations and conducting activities in public spaces required a discreet security presence that could support the artists and organisers without detracting from the creative nature of the event. Salama Fikira was engaged to provide low-profile security support throughout the operation. Two of our security consultants accompanied the artist and crew, helping to ensure activities could proceed safely and smoothly while maintaining an unobtrusive presence. Our role focused on situational awareness, reassurance and practical support as the team worked across multiple locations. The project culminated on 2 June at the Residence of the Ambassador of Italy during celebrations marking Italy's National Day. Salama Fikira Chairman Conrad Thorpe attended as an observer and was able to witness first-hand the remarkable impact the installations had on Nairobi's skyline and the conversations they generated around culture, community and international partnership. Assignments such as Jute Portraits demonstrate the value of flexible, sensitive and discreet security support. Alongside our work for diplomatic missions, international organisations and corporate clients across East Africa, Salama Fikira is proud to assist cultural and creative projects that require a professional but low-profile approach to security and risk management. We would like to thank the Italian Cultural Institute of Nairobi, the Embassy of Italy in Kenya and the project team for the opportunity to contribute to such an innovative and memorable event.
