Recognizing the impact the pandemic has had on conservation funding across Africa, which has historically relied heavily on tourism, B&amp;R has partnered with African Parks, pledging US$50,000 per year to specific parks across Africa for the following three years, commencing 2022.

<a href="https://www.africanparks.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">African Parks</a>&nbsp;is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on direct responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks was founded in 2000 in response to the crisis facing Africa's protected areas. Their vision is to effectively manage Africa's protected areas and national parks on behalf of governments to benefit wildlife and local communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Their business model created a new paradigm for conservation, playing a major role across the continent in helping African governments turn their failing parks into ecological, socio-political, and economic strongholds for their countries. It's a solution to one of Africa's most pressing challenges. In 20 years, they've built the largest and most ecologically diverse portfolio of parks of any one organization in Africa. With 19 parks in 11 countries spanning more than 36 million acres, their footprint is the equivalent of half of the land in the US National Parks system.&nbsp;&nbsp;Akagera National ParkOur nominated park for 2022 is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.africanparks.org/the-parks/akagera" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">Akagera National Park</a>, Rwanda. Akagera is Central Africa's largest protected wetland and Rwanda's last remaining savannah ecosystem. It is, therefore, the only protected area in Rwanda suitable and prepared to sustain black rhino and lion populations. 20 years ago, it was on the verge of being lost forever. Following the 1994 genocide, Akagera was a depleted landscape overrun by more than 30,000 cattle. In 2010, African Parks assumed management of Akagera in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, shifting the park's trajectory. In just five years, poaching was mostly eliminated, and over two decades experienced a dramatic transformation and remarkable revival. Wildlife populations have increased by 48% since 2010, among them 43 lions and 28 black rhinos.&nbsp;&nbsp;The park also offers a secure and healthy ecosystem that can one day be a stronghold for black rhinos and contribute to the conservation of the species on a regional level as a source of individuals and genetics for rewilding and reinforcing populations in other areas. Before the pandemic, when the park took a hard hit on its tourism revenues, Akagera was well on its way to becoming African Parks' first financially self-sustainable park. The park remains an inspiring conservation story that will enthral us for years to come with every re-introduction.&nbsp;&nbsp;Akagera National Park is often included as an extension when planning a&nbsp;<a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/rwanda-bespoke" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">Rwanda Bespoke</a>&nbsp;trip. Sighting lion, rhino or any of the endangered species here is an emotional experience when one understands the remarkable journey of transformation the region has undergone in twenty years.&nbsp;

Photography credit: Akagera National Park, Rwanda © Scott Ramsay / Giraffe in Akagera National Park, Rwanda © Marcus Westberg

The Slow Fund: Conserving Africa's Iconic Species & Landscapes With African Parks

“Slow Down to See the World” is what George Butterfield suggested more than 50 years ago, when he was encouraging people to walk or bike when they travelled. It not only became the motto for Butterfield &amp; Robinson, it’s advice that seems timelier than ever now that most of us are moving all too quickly and often frantically through our daily lives.&nbsp;George may well have been reacting to the “If It’s Tuesday, This Must be Belgium” kind of tourism that was then in vogue, when travellers were more inclined to visit seven cities in as many days, packed into a trip that was like an overweight suitcase.&nbsp;

His genius was counterintuitive, suggesting that instead, the best way to experience Europe was to spend a week in Bordeaux or Tuscany, but not racing from church to museum to monument. The days would be measured by walking or biking and experiencing the outdoors of a country that was foreign to us. It turned out to be a menu for savouring each day, enjoying each meal, treasuring each sip of wine, in the company of young and smart guides and some like-minded travellers.&nbsp;Those were radical suggestions back then. While they’ve been copied by others over the ensuing years, they’ve rarely been bettered and they remain groundbreaking today.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is travel as a two-part formula. First, Slow Down. It sounds easy, but this may be the toughest suggestion of all. Most of us are not programmed to do that. Everywhere we turn, we’re encouraged to do things faster, quicker and then move on to the next thing. That’s the very antithesis of B&amp;R, which has always advocated two’s: two wheels or two feet. Neither is especially fast. You will, however, slow down as a result.The second part of that equation is See the World. You can’t help but see the world if you’re moving slowly, on two wheels or two feet. You will find your day elevated by the sight of wildflowers in a French meadow, or observing the morning sun over a village in <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/andalucia-walking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Andalucía</a>, or marvelling at a double rainbow in the west of Ireland. When was the last time you spoke with an Italian winemaker, watched a chef create an amazing dish, or enjoyed a private tour of Vienna’s Spanish Riding School?&nbsp;

If we have learned anything these past two years, it’s the virtue of slowing down and smelling the roses. Life passes all too quickly, and too often in a blur. The concept of slowing down has morphed, and now we can do so aided by E-Bikes, or with a focus on <a href="https://butterfield.com/ways-to-go/wellness" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">wellness</a>, on culture, or our extended families. Many B&amp;R trips now <a href="https://butterfield.com/ways-to-go/lodge-to-lodge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">take it a step further</a> and base themselves in one place for a week, albeit a special, luxury-forward, comfortable place. Unpack once and stay longer.&nbsp;On a B&amp;R trip through Burgundy years ago, I don’t remember my mileage or even the name of the hotels I stayed in. I do recall a long, memorable lunch with George at winemaker Olivier LeFlaive’s landmark restaurant and the crisp, echoing sound of my footsteps on the gravel of a chateau’s cave in Savigny-lès-Beaune. I also remember pausing while walking on a narrow vineyard road to watch the exceptionally slow march of a battalion of Burgundian snails. That was Burgundy for me, and frankly, you can’t get any slower than that.

Slow Down To See The World

Safari guiding across Africa is predominantly a male-dominated space. In Botswana over 90% of safari guides are men. Women in the region do not have access to the same career paths that tourism offers to their male counterparts. To date, there has been little active or ongoing investment, training and skills development in female guides that would empower them to pursue their dreams, open new career choices and provide for their families. The notable exception is Chobe Game Lodge with an all-female guide team, the Chobe Angels.

In November 2021, the African Bush Camps Foundation launched a female safari guide project that is targeted at creating job opportunities for local women. The project aims to develop female safari guides through skills training, mentorship, job shadowing and rotations at African Bush Camps lodges. The response was overwhelming with 350 applicants but only 5 positions available for the first intake. The training is a two-year program that will provide theory, practical and on-the-job training at ABC camps as a safari guide.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This program will allow the new recruits to gain significant professional experience in travel and tourism, as well as hospitality. Once the training is complete the female guides will be experts in wildlife, conservation, safe practices, photography, natural history, tracking, communication, and patience! The female guides will join the renowned team of professional guides at African Bush Camps, who are an integral part of the safari experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Slow Fund is proud to invest in the female guide training program through a partnership with The African Bush Camps Foundation. B&amp;R has committed to sponsoring two female guides per year for three years, commencing with the 2nd cohort intake in mid-2022. Sponsorship costs are US$3,500 per guide.&nbsp;&nbsp;You can meet the trainee female guides during a stay at African Bush Camps Linyanti or Khwai properties, which we love to include when planning a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/botswana-bespoke" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">Bespoke Botswana trip</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;About African Bush Camps Foundation<a href="https://www.africanbushcampsfoundation.org/focus-area/projects/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">The African Bush Camps Foundation</a>&nbsp;is a registered non-profit organization that has been in operation since 2006. The Foundation’s mission is to partner with communities that are located near our camps to improve quality of life and achieve long-term conservation through programs focusing on Education, Community Empowerment, and Conversation.&nbsp;They have projects running in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana that focus on addressing challenges that include unemployment, food scarcity, poor education and health care infrastructure, low school attendance and dropouts due to financial constraints, wildlife poaching, and preserving natural resources.&nbsp;

The Slow FundWe established the Slow Fund to support innovative projects that are reflective of the regions that inspire them.Whether through educational, cultural, or conservation and preservation initiatives, the Fund helps protect various forms of heritage and promotes the health of vibrant living cultures and the ecosystems that support them. To learn more about the Slow Fund and the projects we support, <a href="https://butterfield.com/who-we-are/sustainability/the-slow-fund" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>.

The Slow Fund: Supporting Gender Equality In The Safari Industry With African Bush Camps Foundation 

B&amp;R Veteran Guide Alice Van der Voort reflects on visiting Vietnam and Cambodia with fresh eyes, and her lessons learned on gratitude amidst hardship.

It’s been four years since my last visit to Cambodia and three years since my last trip to Vietnam. Being back after such a long time, I realize how much I’ve missed this place. Seeing the impact of the lockdowns and the hardships that the Khmer people have had to endure due to Covid is heartbreaking. Without tourism, they’ve had to go back to the basics: things like surviving on rice and water.

I was saddened to learn that Mr. Hak, B&amp;R’s head Tuk Tuk driver since 2007, had to sell his new car and move back to his hometown to support his family. He worked so hard for that car and was so proud of this achievement, but he was forced to sell it at a big loss due to the economic impact of the pandemic. But when I arrived, I saw Mr. Hak waiting for me in front of my hotel in his old Tuk Tuk, and the joy of seeing each other again erased the four-year gap between us. We hugged, and he started laughing and smiling, and we were back to our good old times.These moments made me realize the lasting relationships that we've built here. Mr. Hak told me about the many restaurants that closed down due to the pandemic and how he lost a dear friend from Sweden who had supported him and his family for the last ten years. Despite the obstacles he faced, Mr. Hak still managed to focus on the positives. It was heartwarming to see him back to work with his jokes and infectious smile, and I'm grateful for the friendships that have been forged during my time in Cambodia.

On a day off during my trip, I visited the Killing Fields with my friends as they wanted to understand more about the Khmer Rouge regime. Although I prefer not to visit such sights, Mr. Hak dropped us off at the Memorial site. I must warn you, spending an hour here will guarantee that you won't sleep for at least three nights!It is a horrible sight, and nobody speaks. The silence is deafening. When we exited the site, a scooter passed by with two little kids who greeted us with smiles shouting, "Hello, hello!" I was amazed at how quickly they turned the tide. They're so happy to live in the present moment and forget about the past.

This is one of the many reasons why I like to guide expeditions. I believe that we need to experience these emotions, be grateful for where we live, see how other people cope with their problems and enjoy the simplest things in life. They expect only the best, do not worry about tomorrow and cherish every moment.What's more, the colours of the countryside, the little shops, the smell of food, and the background noise of the Tuk Tuks all melt together with the smiles of these lovely people. I am so grateful to be here and witness all of this. It puts me back into the right perspective, which I had lost in the last three years: being grateful instead of resentful. Carpe diem.

In Cambodia, A Return to Gratitude

Compared to magazine writers, filmmakers have it easy. (Yes, I realize how biased that probably sounds. But let me explain.)In order to properly capture a region’s essence, writers have to suffer. We slave away in front of our keyboards, desperately clamouring for the right combination of words to describe not just what a place looks like, but how it feels—its vibe, its milieu, its ineffable je ne sais quoi. (To wit: I scoured the thesaurus for 20 minutes before settling on “milieu.”)Filmmakers, on the other hand, know no such struggles. In order to inform the audience they’re in Paris, Rome, New York or Sydney, all they need to do is drop in a quick establishing shot of the Eiffel Tower, Coliseum, Statue of Liberty or Opera House, respectively. Landmarks of this calibre are so famously unmistakable, that they come to not just identify a place, but emblematize it.For more than a century now, Machu Picchu has been an icon. Since Hiram Bingham’s first fateful trip to the Incan site in 1911 – and especially after the publishing of his 1948 memoir The Lost City of the Inca, which propelled his journey into the popular conscience – Machu Picchu has been Peru’s most trafficked attraction.

At its peak, Machu Picchu attracted more than one million tourists each year. Even with restrictions encouraged by UNESCO and imposed by the Peruvian government, upwards of 900,000 still visit annually, taking the Hiram Bingham Train from Cusco to stare at the sun gate, or hike the nearby (and nearly as famous) Inca Trail. And to be fair, Machu Picchu’s appeal is obvious – I don’t think I’ve ever had an experience as transcendent as seeing it at sundown, after all the tourists had cleared out (working for B&amp;R has its perks).But I sometimes pity those who hop a flight out of the country as soon as they’ve checked the spectacle off of their bucket list. I’ve spent a decade globetrotting for both work and pleasure, and I’ve found few countries that boast as wide a breadth of natural wonders, or as rich a reservoir of cultural heritage. That so few people take the time to savour all that Peru has to offer is one of travel’s greatest travesties—and one that I'm determined to correct.With all due respect to The Lost City, I think it’s high time that people found out about Peru’s myriad other unforgettable adventures. There are enough off-the-grid, little known and overlooked experiences here to fill an entire magazine, but I think my editor would kill me if I took up that much space. (Editor’s Note: That’s true.) So in the interest of brevity, here are five of my absolute favourite parts of Peru that most people never get to experience.

The Amazon

When was the last time you fished for piranhas and swam with pink dolphins? That's what I thought.The Peruvian Amazon is a treasure that's somehow remained hidden from the vast majority of the travel industry. The lush natural rainforest plays host to a slew of incredible creatures, from alligators and anacondas to jaguars and spider monkeys, and even its human inhabitants have embraced the idea of being off the grid—the region's main urban hub is Iquitos, the biggest city in the world that you can’t actually drive to. The best way to experience it is to quite literally go with the flow by floating down the Amazon River. Using a luxe cruise ship like the Aria Amazon as your home base, you can take skiffs that venture deeper into the heart of the jungle for wildlife viewing, and dock in remote villages to meet the locals and explore on foot.Opportunities for water-based adventure abound, including kayaking, canoeing and swimming in the Amazon River by day. By night, you can break out a telescope and awe as constellations come to life in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere.

The aptly named Sacred Valley is a visually stunning, incredibly rich playground for adventure. Some of the best hiking trails in the world intersect the valley, passing through ancient ruins, agricultural enclaves and sweeping valleys, all of them lined by the Andes mountains. Here you can truly disconnect and commune with the natural world; hiking through the valley feels like stepping back into a simpler, more peaceful era. The few people you encounter along the way are locals who live off the land, the way their ancestors have for generations. On one hike, our group passed by a local woman who kindly offered us fresh, hot potatoes from her huatia (a sort of underground earth oven, shaped like a pyramid).But the Sacred Valley isn't solely for serenity—adrenaline junkies will find plenty of adventures, too.Mountain bikers flock to this part of Peru, but those who prefer four wheels to two can take it all in on ATVs, while those who prefer four legs to four wheels can ride horseback on gorgeous Peruvian Paso horses. Want to get on the water?Kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and white water rafting are all on offer here. And if you're looking for a little elevation, you can rock-climb up a mountainside and zip-line back down, or paraglide above to explore it from the perspective of the Incan gods.

The Sacred Valley

Arequipa & Colca Canyon

Your Instagram feed will love <a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/a-new-side-of-peru-arequipa-the-colca-canyon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Arequipa</a>.A colonial-era gem awash in white buildings made from hand-cut silar stone, Arequipa is a gorgeous city in an even more stunning setting. Three volcanoes frame the city, towering (safely) in the distance and providing the city with some stunning views, which few visitors to Peru ever get to drink in.But there's much more to take in than the views—the food scene in Arequipa is incredible. A historical trade hub that connected Cusco and Lake Titicaca with countries such as Bolivia and Chile, today Arequipa is a melting pot where a mix of cultures, flavours, ingredients and spices come together in the local picanterias (lunch spots), creating a unique culinary experience.You've got to try some rocoto relleno, Peru's version of stuffed pepper, and chupe de camarones, a shrimp chowder. Then wash it all down with chicha morada, a delicious drink made from purple Peruvian corn.Culture and history abound in Arequipa too, including the Santa Catalina Monastery, an architectural stunner that recounts the scandalous tenure of the nuns who once lived there, and Juanita, a mummy only discovered when a glacier melted and revealed her tomb.

As if the city itself weren’t enough of a draw, Arequipa also provides a gateway to the stunning Colca Canyon, whose terraced valleys are even less trafficked than those in the Sacred Valley, despite the fact that some points of Colca reach greater depths than the Grand Canyon. Both the hiking and the horseback riding here is incredible, offering postcard-perfect views at every turn, and adventure junkies will love the river rafting.

Few people realize that the best archaeology experience in Peru has nothing to do with Machu Picchu.Best known as the home of Peru's traditional marinera dance, Trujillo is a coastal town in northwestern Peru that not only boasts beautiful and colourful colonial architecture but acts as a gateway to pre-Incan archaeological sites that bring ancient history to life.Nearby marvels include the Huaca de la Luna ("the moon temple"), one of the most important spiritual sites for the Moche culture, who populated the area from 100 to 700 AD, and El Brujo, the temples of which are adorned with polychrome reliefs depicting wars, gods and an ancient way of life.But the best part is what—or maybe I should say who—isn't there. Because so many people forego Trujillo, savvy travellers are treated to a raw and relatively tourist-free experience that puts them directly in touch with ancient history—sometimes literally, in fact. With so few tourists, there’s little need for ropes and barriers, meaning there's nothing stopping you from reaching out to literally touch ancient history.

Trujillo & the North

Often overlooked or skipped by those flocking to Machu Picchu and Cusco, Lima is arguably the culinary capital of the world right now, boasting three coveted spots on the list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants.Lima's restaurant scene has garnered a ton of attention from the press, but few editorials (and, thankfully, not many tourists) seem to appreciate just how cool the rest of the city is. Perched on the coast of the Pacific, the city offers sea, surf, sand and some incredible ocean views.Further inland, Lima's myriad unique neighbourhoods make it the perfect place to meander on foot. In posh Miraflores, upscale shops, stunning sea views and great restaurants are complemented by huacas, the pre-Incan ruins scattered throughout the neighbourhood that add a bit of culture to all that class. In boho-chic Barranco, boutique shops and local artists dot a unique and colourful neighbourhood just begging to be snapped for social media. And in the city centre, fabulous architecture denotes the legacy of the conquistadors who once reigned over the city—be sure to check out Aliaga House, where consecutive generations of the Aliaga family have lived since the land was first granted to Jerónimo de Aliaga in 1535!

Lima

Feeling inspired to take the road less travelled in Peru? Learn more about our Scheduled departures <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/peru-walking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> or get in touch with Veronika Macas to start planning your perfect Bespoke adventure.

Off The Beaten Trail In Peru

Discover the incredible power of music in the fight for human rights during apartheid in South Africa with WE ARE NOT AFRAID, a captivating documentary co-directed by Janie Cole and Shameela Seedat. This inspiring film, set for release in 2023, delves into the lives of former political prisoners and how they used music as a tool for resistance.

Set against the historical context of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.musicbeyondborders.net/#page-section-72" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">WE ARE NOT AFRAID</a>&nbsp;explores music’s critical role as a force for resistance and survival in the apartheid prisons, especially at the maximum-security prison on Robben Island, where activists including Nelson Mandela were imprisoned from the early 1960s onwards and at Number 4 women’s jail at the Old Fort in Johannesburg.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Blending archival footage of major historical struggles markers such as the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre and the 1976 Soweto Uprising, extensive new interviews with former political prisoners, shot many years later after their release, and musical performance and observation, the film casts light on both past and present.Through torture, harrowing prison conditions and abuse, black music performance provided resistance, critique, community, communication, therapy, memory and identity for political prisoners, uniting an oppressed people against a common enemy.Night and day, political prisoners sang whatever was in their defiant hearts through torture, despair and hope, and united as one they could not be defeated. Women’s narratives and songs expose the deadly gender-based violence that underlay structures of state violence and express their fight against both racial and gender oppression and dehumanizing prison experiences, which differed sharply to a male-centred struggle world.&nbsp;&nbsp;Through these remarkable resilient individuals, testimonies and music, the film touches on broader questions about cultural expression as advancing social change and the uses of music by individuals suffering and protesting the violation of human rights under oppressive patriarchal regimes at the intersections of music, resilience, power, violence, gender, race, trauma and human rights.&nbsp;Dr. Janie Cole collaborates with B&amp;R on Bespoke trips to South Africa and offers unique, private lecture experiences in her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.musicbeyondborders.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">Music Beyond Borders</a>&nbsp;“<a href="https://www.musicbeyondborders.net/#page-section-150" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Travels in Sound</a>” series, including “Robben Island, Mandela and the Story of Music in the Apartheid Prisons” to travellers.The Slow Fund contributed US$10,000 to the development phase of the film project in 2019, enabling the completion of critical interviews with former political prisoners. The Slow Fund further supported the film's completion with a contribution of $15,000 towards the budget, and we're deeply honoured to be associated with this important work.

The Slow Fund: Exploring the Power of Music With Music Beyond Borders

Set against the historical context of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, <a href="https://www.musicbeyondborders.net/#page-section-72" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">WE ARE NOT AFRAID</a> is a documentary film that explores the pivotal role of music as a tool for resistance and survival in apartheid prisons. Particularly, it sheds light on the maximum-security prison on Robben Island, where notable activists such as Nelson Mandela were incarcerated starting from the early 1960s.The film explores cultural expression as a tool for social change, delving into the experiences of individuals who use music to cope with and protest against human rights violations under oppressive patriarchal regimes. It examines the intersections of music, resilience, power, violence, gender, race, trauma and human rights.&nbsp;Dr. Janie Cole, the documentary's Co-Director, collaborates with B&amp;R on Bespoke trips to South Africa and offers unique, private lecture experiences in her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.musicbeyondborders.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">Music Beyond Borders</a>&nbsp;“<a href="https://www.musicbeyondborders.net/#page-section-150" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(62, 115, 155);">Travels in Sound</a>” series, including “Robben Island, Mandela and the Story of Music in the Apartheid Prisons” to travellers.In the interview below, we dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Janie Cole, as she shares insights into developing the documentary and her work in preserving South African heritage and culture.

I attended a lecture by a South African Shakespeare scholar <a href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C5CHFA_enZA935ZA937&amp;sxsrf=AJOqlzUY7ES_sMLyemYFY7pnCqqoH0OwLw:1675845237343&amp;q=David+Schalkwyk&amp;si=AEcPFx7HnMxbNS2egwqbd2fGseeWkZi3ZCVlQ3vY-NLoLE7SWbUQ82uezfdDZAMJu50ehtnBfgtGlCaaKjD7mHnxBybcD-642f77NaAIUI75KhxzDn03lxdUIVG6KvwrzUmQNCCQIpsmAek95plQQohWdPSsvNNYbgBjZxeDEG7-9L5fiKUnsQDvcQj7PhmBaxeG2_6I5rQ_-pinAZBGWrf8F6V4rHuzmA%3D%3D&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiB3seAwoX9AhXOT8AKHROyCxAQmxMoAHoECEMQAg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">David Schalkwyk</a> who spoke about the so-called “Robben Island Shakespeare”. A copy of the Complete Works was secretly circulated by Sonny Venkatrathnam among his fellow political prisoners on Robben Island in the 1970s, asking them to sign their names next to their favourite passages. Sonny covered it with images of Hindu figures to disguise it as a holy book.Nelson Mandela signed next to a passage from Julius Caesar, which begins, “Cowards die many times before their deaths”. While Schalkwyk examined the representation and experience of imprisonment in South African prison memoirs and the prison that is Denmark for Shakespeare’s Hamlet, I was profoundly moved by his reference to “a book that had passed through the hands of the people who had saved my country,” and the idea of the power of literature and words to provide resistance for political prisoners during apartheid.&nbsp;

Q&A WITH DR. JANIE COLE 

So, as a musicologist, I wondered where was the music in such a space of intense oppression, violence, sorrow, and resistance in a country where singing is the primary cultural expression?&nbsp;&nbsp;Thus began this cultural-heritage preservation project in the form of a film, book and <a href="https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-12-17-amplifying-the-voices-of-women-struggle-heroes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">archive</a>, which trace the role of music and resistance in apartheid prisons, with a special focus on Robben Island and the women’s jails, through first-hand struggle testimonies and music by surviving former political prisoners and guards.&nbsp;

I was inspired to found <a href="http://www.musicbeyondborders.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Music Beyond Borders</a>, which focuses on the role of music in social change, surviving trauma and supporting human rights, after my first interviews with former political prisoners of apartheid in 2011.&nbsp;After surviving 9/11, I was unable to listen to music for a long time thereafter, which as a musicologist I found incomprehensible on so many levels, so I got interested in how music and sound can link to trauma, memory, sensory association and overload, and healing.&nbsp;&nbsp;I was most impacted by the stories of abuse and conditions in the prisons and of apartheid. I had read Nelson Mandela’s now famous comment from his 1994 autobiography about the conditions in South Africa’s apartheid prisons which reflected the reality of thousands of political activists:&nbsp;&nbsp;“It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones – and South Africa treated its imprisoned African citizens like animals.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The accounts that I was hearing verified the worst of Mandela’s statements, especially those about women and gender-based violence. The women’s struggle stories are particularly overlooked historically and their treatment at the hands of the security police was different to men’s.&nbsp;

Our vision is that MBBs’ educational film WE ARE NOT AFRAID will preserve this rich South African cultural heritage, capture the memories of South Africa’s long struggle against apartheid, honour the legacy of struggle veterans, and raise consciousness, especially about gender-based violence past and present.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The focus on Robben Island is an obvious one as the most notorious apartheid prison which held Nelson Mandela and hundreds of other political prisoners. However, we have aimed to concentrate on the unknown ‘foot soldiers’ of the struggle, as opposed to the liberation leaders, whose stories have been told many times of course.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As Thoko Mpumlwana, a political prisoner held at the brutal Number 4 women’s jail at the Old Fort says:“Human beings must not repeat mistakes of the past and to communicate that through testimony and music would cut through much better than probably saying it or writing a thesis. Because if people understand what was going on, it will be a learning tool for future generations. To know what it means to dehumanize the other, and to also know that even in the midst of that dehumanization, the truth prevails, good will always prevail over evil.”&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/who-we-are/sustainability/the-slow-fund" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Slow Fund</a> contributed US$10,000 to the development phase of the film project in 2019, enabling the completion of critical interviews with former political prisoners. The Slow Fund further supported the film's completion with a contribution of $15,000 towards the budget, and we're deeply honoured to be associated with this important work.

The Slow Fund: In Conversation With Dr. Janie Cole

For travellers seeking a slower pace, a walking holiday offers just that while allowing you to explore far beyond the traditional sights.&nbsp;This type of holiday is growing in popularity, too, with countries around the world launching multi-day paths for travellers to conquer. Wales, for instance, is a leader. Covering the entire length of its coastline, the country debuted its Coast Path, all 1,400 km (870 mi) of it, in 2012 as the world’s first coastal walking path.&nbsp;Beyond paths that lead you through striking scenery, seeing a country while on a walking trip allows you to experience it in a more intimate way. In the United Kingdom especially, walking creates the opportunity for serendipitous meetings and sightings. You might stumble upon a gem of a bookstore walking through a village or stop for a chat with a local farmer while they’re out harvesting.&nbsp;&nbsp;Whether your passion is history or literature, food or photography, by exploring on foot, you will gain access to the region’s intricacies in a way unlike any other.&nbsp;

In <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/cornwall-coastal-walking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Cornwall</a>, for instance, you’ll be spoiled by access to sun-kissed views from the coastline and fresh seafood direct from the morning’s catch. The sparkling jewel of England’s West Country, trails lead you along stunning cliffs and sandy beaches where Cornish customs take centre stage: enjoy local sea shanties (traditional folk songs), shuck some oysters at St Mawes, ferry to Falmouth where a pirate hideaway from the Napoleonic Wars rests or try your hand at gig racing, Cornwall’s popular rowing sport.&nbsp;The <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/cotswolds-to-bath-walking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Cotswolds</a> is a playground for country pursuits, boasting some of the best village-to-village routes in the United Kingdom. It’s here that you’ll wander through honey-hued villages, ancient cities and lavish gardens—strolling past historical landmarks like Oxford, Bath and Blenheim Palace, the Churchill’s family residence, as you go.&nbsp;

Retrace the footsteps of England’s greatest poets and novelists in the <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/lakes-yorkshire-walking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Lake District and Yorkshire Dales</a>, two of the country’s most romantic and storied rural regions. Here, you will journey through the verdant countryside and magical national parks, and along the way get acquainted with local sheep farmers, visit literary landmarks, refuel with farm-to-table delicacies and meals by world-class Michelin-starred chefs, then rest your legs at cozy, fire-lit pubs.&nbsp;&nbsp;With its renowned Coast Path, it’s no surprise that <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/wales-walking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Wales</a> is best explored on two feet. Boasting emerald meadows, Roman ruins and wild rugged landscapes, highlights include visiting Pembrokeshire National Park (recognized as the UK’s only coastal national park), coastal paths in St. Davids on route to Solva, the oldest working woollen mill in Wales, and hiking the iconic Cadair Idris mountain—all the while savouring farm-cooked meals and delving into local folklore and culture.&nbsp;

Both bold and fair, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/scotland-bespoke" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Scotland’s</a> wild landscape was made for walking. You’ll discover a land of tradition, history, warmth and welcome as you follow highland trails that run along deep lochs and towering mountains. Along with private whisky tastings, you can expect lunches served in historic inns, fiddle music that fills the evening air, sandy beaches on the Isle of Skye and Cawdor Castle, a 15th-century castle that whispers of Shakespeare's Macbeth.&nbsp;No matter the trail, walking is the best way to experience the United Kingdom’s quintessential charm.&nbsp;&nbsp;Explore <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/europe/united-kingdom" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Butterfield &amp; Robinson’s UK walking experiences here.</a>&nbsp;

The best way to experience the UK’s charm is on a walk

Raman Kaminski is a Belarusian artist who was forced to leave his home country during the protests after the elections in 2020. He sought refuge in Kyiv, Ukraine where he had gone to art school. However, he was soon forced to leave again as a result of the Russian invasion, leaving behind his artwork and materials, and relocating to Georgia with just a suitcase in tow.Meanwhile, a former B&amp;R guide who had worked in Belarus and met Raman had commissioned a painting from him. She had returned to the States and was working on an Artist in Residence program at the Chapelle Ste. Catherine in Fontevraud l’Abbaye, Loire Valley, France. Through connections, Raman was found in Georgia and he was offered to be the first “Artist in Residence”. B&amp;R’s Slow Fund is proud to have sponsored the materials needed for Raman to set up his residency. And he began painting!

After a three-month residency, Raman now calls Paris home where his talent as an artist continues to flourish. He even had the opportunity to connect with B&amp;R travellers during a Bespoke trip to the Loire Valley this summer.&nbsp;Raman's determination and talent as an artist are a true inspiration, and he continues to pursue his dreams despite the obstacles in his path. Recently, Raman had a solo show in Paris, and his most recent work can be viewed on his Instagram page <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ramankaminski/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@ramankaminski</a>.&nbsp;

The Slow Fund: Finding Freedom in Creativity

Slow Travel

Scotland

Around The World

Butterfield & Robinson Aligns With Other Sector Leaders To Sign The Glasgow Declaration On Climate Action In Tourism

community stories

Africa and Middle East

Two Fires Gallery: Rwanda's Stories Shared through Local Talent

Culture &amp; Lifestyle

Features &amp; Stories

Our Friends

Europe

Holland

Tulip cultivation begins with the so-called “dry treatment” before the bulbs are planted in boxes. Approximately 100 bulbs are planted per box, depending on the size of the bulbs. The boxes are filled with compost covered with a layer of sand to keep their stems upright. After planting, the boxes are stored in cooling departments at different temperatures for a period of about 15 weeks, depending on the specific variety.
Then, the bulbs are transferred to greenhouses, where they spend three to five weeks (depends on the variety) growing in a controlled environment. (The bulbs and flowers you see out in the fields are actually grown to produce bulbs for future harvests.) The modern greenhouse is divided into four sections, making it possible to ensure separate climatic conditions for each growth stage.

Every year, Henrie and Anton select which type they will grow next season, depending on the previous years&#8217; demand and success. This year&#8217;s varieties for 2021 will include Denmark, Purple Lady, Time Out, Astronaut (named after the Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers) and Verona.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-48427 size-medium" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tulips-and-chocolate-450x300.jpeg" alt="tulips and chocolate" width="450" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tulips-and-chocolate-450x300.jpeg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tulips-and-chocolate-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tulips-and-chocolate-899x600.jpeg 899w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tulips-and-chocolate.jpeg 920w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" />This year for Valentine&#8217;s Day, Anton and Henrie donated many bouquets of tulips to the elderly living all alone in senior living residences. The little community of De Zilk uses their flowers to lighten up their inhabitants just like so many flower lovers do so around the world!
Over twenty years after that initial quest for a Dutch bike depot, the Van Saase family have remained our dear friends and host B&amp;R travellers on a tour of their farm.
Here, travellers witness how the bulbs become beautiful flowers in just a few weeks while relishing in everything from their cool cells and refrigerators to their hothouse and delighting in the hospitality of Anton and Henrie. The experience offers travellers a chance to get up-close with the bulbs and experience the tulip bloom in a different light—without the crowds, you may encounter at Keukenhof.
Want to learn more about our biking trips to the Netherlands? <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/start-planning/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to get in touch with Mario</a>, our Experience Designer for all things Dutch!

Meet Henrie and Anton, Sustainable Tulip Farmers of the Netherlands

Notes From the Road

Greece

<h2>Unlocking the Secrets of Sikinos</h2>
The wine kept flowing throughout the night while George recited stories about the Epicurean way of living. George&#8217;s Sikinos is an island that teaches you the art of reflection and invites you to be part of its community if you want to unlock its secrets.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-48344 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wine-glasses-overlooking-a-beach-sunset-480x233.jpg" alt="wine glasses overlooking a sunset" width="480" height="233" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wine-glasses-overlooking-a-beach-sunset-480x233.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wine-glasses-overlooking-a-beach-sunset-768x373.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/wine-glasses-overlooking-a-beach-sunset-960x467.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" />
Sikinos was very generous, and the island opened up to me like a rose. George has since become a good friend of mine and we&#8217;ve met several times since that day.
George knows something that we don’t. It&#8217;s this mystery that makes you want to spend more time with him on his magnificent island. He believes that spending more time at his vineyards will enhance our view of life, and it&#8217;s this sense of slow living that aligns so well with the B&amp;R philosophy on travel.
Over the years, B&amp;R has been the bridge between George and some of our own friends who are absorbed in the search for adventure! Travelling in style, a yacht trip to Greece will bring you closer to this unparalleled experience. That&#8217;s where you will find George Manalis and his stories of making great wine and living life—the Epicurean way.
Sikinos is a paradise full of secrets just waiting to be unlocked. Now that you have a true taste of the Epicurean way of life, click <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/where-we-go/europe/greece/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to discover the region&#8217;s secrets for yourself. And if you&#8217;re interested in skipping the overcrowded islands in favour of more intimate ports of call,<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/start-planning" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> get in touch</a> with a member of our team to start planning your Sikinos escape.

<h2>The Secluded Charm of Sikinos</h2>
As I passed by the long golden sands of the beach, the crystal-clear water tempted me for a swim, but I was on a mission to find a place for the night where I could catch the famous Sikinian sunset from the top of the island&#8217;s hillside cliffs.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-48335 size-medium" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast-480x300.png" alt="Sikonos Seaside Sunset" width="480" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast-480x300.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast-250x156.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast-768x480.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sikonos-sunset-on-the-coast.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" />
On most of the <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/greek-islands-active/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Greek Islands</a>, the main town, known as the Chora, is hidden away on the top of a hill. This was so that it was harder for pirates to siege. The road zig-zagged through yellow, barren landscapes towards hilltop villages. I could smell the island&#8217;s wild herbs while riding uphill through the moon-like landscape. Eventually, I arrived at the main town, parked my scooter and started walking toward the centre.
As I climbed the fortress&#8217;s steps, I quickly took note of how few people were around. While I felt a bit lost (and out of breath from climbing all those stairs), I started to absorb the magic of Sikinos. There was a sense of tranquillity that felt unique compared to other islands in the Cyclades. It was quickly confirmed to me that introducing this island to our travellers was the right choice.
I finally stumbled upon a small hotel where the woman at the front desk confirmed she had a room available for me. I quickly checked in and hit the road to explore more of the charming town before sunset.
I hopped back on my scooter and came across The Manalis Winery about two kilometres away from the Chora. The land on Sikinos is quite dry, so I was surprised to see countless vineyards and stone terraces draping the cliffsides. Naturally, my curiosity (and love of a good Assyrtiko) probed me to check it out.
I descended some steps to find myself in a room surrounded by wine barrels. The place appeared to be closed to the public, but I was so eager to find out more that I kept wandering deeper inside.
Suddenly, I heard a rattling noise coming from the lower level of the house.
A silver-haired man appeared from a crevice below the floor. It was Mr. Manalis—aka George—who quickly introduced himself while passing me a bottle of wine and asking me to hold it while he dusted off his pants.

<h2>Sipping Into Sunset</h2>
“Let&#8217;s try it,” he said to me as he reached for a wine opener and two of the biggest wine glasses I have ever seen. I was kind of taken aback by the way he interacted with me—such an immediate warmth with a stranger, I thought.
While George attempted to open the bottle, he asked me if I am from Athens. I responded that I am of Greek descent but from Canada. He smirked and mentioned that he has some relatives in Montreal.
As he poured the wine into their enormous glasses, I was fascinated by the way he marvelled at the fluids as they hit the base of the crystal.
“So! Greek Canadian!&#8221; he exclaimed as he gestured a glass towards me.
As we sipped our wine, George began to share his past with me. He has been making wine for the last 20 years in Sikinos. Before that, he was a fisherman, and during the 1990s, he worked in construction. It was then when he was introduced to the property that is now his winery. He decided to renovate the place and make it into an ecological building where he would produce and resurrect ancient Sikinian wine varieties. During his period of self-discovery, George was also the mayor of the island up until 2006.
“But enough about me. This wine needs some sunset.”
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-48337 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards-480x300.png" alt="Greek vineyards" width="480" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards-480x300.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards-250x156.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards-768x480.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/greek-vineyards.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" />
George then opened the double wooden doors of his cellar to a wide veranda, presenting the most astonishing views of the fiery sunset cascading over the sea.
The sky seemed to turn the colour of wine. The sun glowed orange like a skin-contact white and the clouds were painted a rosé pink. The blustering wind made me feel like the winery was about to take off and soar at any moment. I imagined that we are about to embark on a journey above the sea, perhaps even above the sun.
George wanted to introduce me to his son Lucas, so we headed to the lower balcony where Lucas runs a small restaurant. They invited me to stay for dinner, insisting that I try their wood-oven baked fava beans—an island specialty.

Finding George, An Epicurean Man in Sikinos

Italy

Puglia

Like all of us, Alex is ready to turn the soil and cultivate the next harvest—one that has had time to nurture, develop and progress into the new future. It&#8217;s thanks to people like Alex that Puglia will continue to thrive as a sustainable travel destination where the synergy of the land is not only maintained but showcased; where getting down to the roots does not merely mean observing, but playing an essential role. 
We look forward to getting back on the road with Alex, returning to sample his newest creations at Terra Madre (including the new rainbow-coloured hamburgers!) joining him in the fields, rolling up our sleeves and staying tuned to his next innovative adventure, of which we’re sure to take part.
Interested in scoring an invite into Terra Madre&#8217;s garden to pluck fresh-grown veggies for your farm-to-table meal in Puglia?<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/start-planning" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Get in touch</a> with a member of our team to start planning.

Alex quickly found his place back home as a tour guide, sharing Puglia with wide-eyed visitors who were yet to pronounce the region’s name correctly. He wasn’t your typical guide; instead of a rehearsed tour of the whimsical trulli-filled town, he preferred sharing the rural life that he had longed for while overseas. He wanted people to slow down, get their hands dirty and learn about his Old Country.
It was obvious in 2003, when we first met Alex, that he was a natural fit for B&amp;R. He’s since worn many hats from teaching farming tricks to our younger travellers to leading the older ones through wine tastings, from scouting biking routes through his old stomping grounds to visiting local producers, where his background in agronomy shines. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-48276 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Planting-1.jpg" alt="" width="825" height="437" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Planting-1.jpg 825w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Planting-1-480x254.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Planting-1-768x407.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px" />
While enjoying success in Puglia’s growing travel industry, he later opened his own tour company and trulli rental business in Alberobello. But Alex knew something was missing. The more time he spent in the countryside it became clear it was time to get back to his roots, literally. So, like the start of many remarkable business adventures, he took a leap of faith.
“If you do things and you’re a little bit lucky—and I believe very much in my luck—then things will come to you. It costs nothing to believe.” 
And with this philosophy, Alex opened his trattoria, Terra Madre, to share Italy’s favourite pastime of mangiare bene (eating well) with others. A small garden behind the restaurant served as a kilometre-zero source for the daily veggies. Crunchy, fresh, raw vegetables presented in the simplest form portrayed the land’s richness and experimental dishes led to a vibrantly colourful menu. Beetroot carpaccio, creamy zucchini with mint and oozing burrata highlighted Puglia&#8217;s best. And, as the restaurant grew, so did the ideas and the need for more raw materials.

Just one year after opening, Alex began the project of Terra Madre Orti; the cultivation of roughly four acres surrounding one of his countryside trulli. Here he began mixing both organic and sustainable farming practices by using crop rotation, intercropping and diversifying, exactly as his nonni once did.  
“<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/where-we-go/italy/puglia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Puglia</a> is a colourful, tasty, fragrant region where excellent raw materials can be found. My aim is to focus on the authenticity and purity of agricultural foods, even if it means an &#8216;anti-entrepreneurial&#8217; use of economic resources.” 
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-48259 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tomatoes.jpg" alt="" width="380" height="253" />
While he may have been going against the grain, the seed planted would reap its fruits in one of this generation’s most trying times. When Covid hit Italy in March 2020, his restaurant doors closed, the tour operating business went on hold and the trulli emptied out. He had workers without work and vegetables without a recipe, so he turned to the fields for a solution. It was time to call on “his luck” again.
Alex and his team hit the fields harvesting vegetables and tending the crops. Puglia was in the midst of a full lockdown with halted daily market rituals and supermarkets understocked in local produce. As shelves went empty, his gardens bloomed in abundance where nothing went to waste; from unsold vegetables elaborated into preserves to using his own chickens&#8217; manure to fertilize the land. 
Where many saw despair Alex saw an opportunity. He turned his business focus to home delivery service with daily vegetable crates, preserves and take away food options from Terra Madre.

Finding Prosperity in Food & Community in Rural Italy

<h2>Growing up during the Rwandan genocide</h2>
Gadi&#8217;s story traces back to the year 2000 when American photographer and producer, David Jiranek, started Through the Eyes of Children, a non-profit aimed at teaching photography to the children of the Imbabazi Orphanage in northwestern Rwanda. Gadi, one of the 19 children at the orphanage, learned about light, colour and composition under Jiranek&#8217;s tutelage. Then, with his disposable camera in hand, he ventured into his community to capture the aftermath of the genocide.
Jiranek passed away in 2003, but Gadi and two friends kept his ambition alive by starting the Camera Kids, a project to teach photography to vulnerable children as a means of expressing themselves and viewing their situation from a different perspective.
<iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xBQf294QUrs" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> 
Gadi&#8217;s story
Gadi shared with Christine his dream of opening a gallery and hosting an exhibition. Through his portrait photography, he hoped to reunite friends and family who were separated during the genocide. Maybe someone would recognize a face they once knew in a headshot, and it could help them reconnect.
<h2>A mutual ambition</h2>
As for Christine, she always recognized that something was missing in people&#8217;s visits to Musanze. Beyond gorilla trekking, she sought another experience to offer travellers—something with a human touch. The option of organized visits to local villages felt invasive and inauthentic, and the money spent on them rarely goes back to the people in the community. In fact, much of Rwanda&#8217;s tourism dollars go towards the gorillas, and very little is received by the locals.
Gadi and Christine kept in touch since their first meeting. So when COVID-19 hit and Christine found herself without trips to plan, she called up Gadi and said: &#8220;Let&#8217;s open your gallery.&#8221; Gadi and Christine took it even further and decided to create a social enterprise called <a href="https://www.twofirescreativegroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Two Fires</a>.

<h2>Building a partnership and business</h2>
They first looked into creating a non-profit but soon discovered that Rwanda was already oversaturated with them and opted to go the business route instead. There are three arms of the Two Fires initiative. The first is the creative group, a team of four local photographers available for hire. Kigali, the country&#8217;s capital, is a massive hub for NGOs and often, international photographers are being flown in for events. Two Fires can encourage conferences to commission local talent instead, as well as be a resource for travellers looking to have a photographer join them on their trip to Rwanda.
<figure id="attachment_48095" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-48095" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-48095" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Au-Quartier-808x600.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="557" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Au-Quartier-808x600.jpg 808w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Au-Quartier-404x300.jpg 404w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Au-Quartier-768x570.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Au-Quartier.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-48095" class="wp-caption-text">Au Quartier by Alice Kayibanda, a photographer with the Two Fires Creative Group</figcaption></figure>
Funds from the creative group will go towards the second facet of the business, which is community outreach. Two Fires will continue Gadi&#8217;s teaching legacy by hosting sponsored workshops for locals throughout the year in digital storytelling, photography and literacy.
They&#8217;ll also sell their services to international schools to further fund the sponsored workshops for local communities. Not only does this provide locals with the opportunity to build their skills and increase their prospects for future work, but could be used as a form of healing—a way to express themselves and share their stories with the world.
The final component is to get Gadi&#8217;s photography gallery off the ground. The gallery will be in Muszane and will feature exhibitions and digital storytelling by Rwandan creatives. The first exhibition will feature images from the four photographers of the Two Fires group on the effects of COVID-19 on their country. As a global event affecting us all, travellers who visit <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/rwanda-walking-private/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rwanda (which is currently open for travel)</a> can experience the Rwandan perspective. Gadi and Christine have secured space for the gallery, and are eager to get it off the ground in the coming weeks.
<figure id="attachment_48102" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-48102" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-48102" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Mussa.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="500" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Mussa.jpg 760w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Mussa-450x300.jpg 450w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-48102" class="wp-caption-text">Scenes from a roadside hill by Mussa Uwitonze, captured by a photographer with the Two Fires Creative Group</figcaption></figure>
In addition to being a space for local artists, it will double as an experience for visitors to gain insights into the people in the community in a respectable way, as well as an uplifting one. While the gravity of the genocide can&#8217;t be undermined, guests will get to witness is a resilient population ready to heal and move forward.
<h2>The Slow Fund</h2>
Butterfield &amp; Robinson is proud to have made a financial contribution to help launch the Two Fires project as a part of our <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/about/we-give-back/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Slow Fund</a>. Whether through educational, cultural or conservation and preservation initiatives, the Fund helps protect various forms of heritage and promotes the health of vibrant living cultures and the eco-systems that support them.
Be sure to <a href="https://instagram.com/butterfieldtravel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out our Instagram</a> to follow Christine&#8217;s upcoming trip to Rwanda to open the gallery with Gadi. And if you&#8217;re interested in visiting the Two Fires Gallery to witness the powerful stories conveyed by these talented photographers, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/start-planning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">get in touch</a> with a member of our team.

Slow Travel

Blog posts for 'Slow Travel'