Francis Kéré: 2021 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medalist Public Talk

[@juliuscaeser9834]

An African who is helping his people while still being friendly with the west. He studied architecture in Germany and is using that knowledge for development. Others are there doing nothing but criticize the West about everything bad in Africa. They don't do anything and expect China to build houses and roads for them. Imagine all Africans having vision as this brother, we will be able to develop Africa without need for outsiders. Thank you brother, I am inspired by your work. My village too is abundant with clay, but some are going for expensive concrete blocks because of ignorance. I wish your knowledge can spread to other regions abundant with clay. You are an inspiration.

[@rexona1178]

brother, you spoke my mind. I am from Cameroon and you have all these people whom instead of educating our people spend their time criticising the West. Francis Kere has inspired me over the years and i have imported a series of machines to do some of the things he is doing in a remote community in Cameroon. We must encourage our people to work and Francis Kere is an inspiration. He came to Europe, studied and is applying the knowledge. Those who want to spend time criticising instead of facing the problems can continue doing so. I dont think our problems are caused by France or the West. We dont just have the skills to build.

[@madinadicko9740]

A very inspiring guy ! Thank you Mr KERE .Un architecte de genie ! We are proud of you 😍🤩

[@Shockabsober]

Hi, Good People, We are Africans with our typical Mudbrick walls House and Classes that Brought up, We are Proud to be who we are, I am an Architect by Birth not by training but advanced it to Higher levels and We are proud Like the passion of Architect Fancis kere, Myself I follow what Thomas Jefferson did to His Designed House in Monte Cello and I have learned alot from His Design, We thank you TFF for this Award to the son our soil

[@AffirmativeArtsOnTheRoad]

Such a wonderful, generous, powerful, brilliant, profound, honorable, creative, visionary, problem-solving, transformative, revolutionary being. An artist, humanitarian, revolutionary, leader, a builder of lives, communities, even countries. So grateful to know of this amazing man. Thank you so much for creating this video so that all who see it can be as deeply inspired as I am. May we all attempt to emulate his passion and genius for transforming love into beautiful and pragmatic instruments for the thriving of all. His magnificent buildings are love in material form.

[@rexona1178]

Francis Kere is a great person. I just like listening to his ideas and refreshing my mind on what we need to do to bring meaning to our communities in Africa.

[@mustafahusain2966]

Yes indeed! He's unique! He was sent by God to lighten up the world starting off in Burkina Faso! I never feel bored listening to him, but I feel energized!

[@architect8332]

my God , Bless This guy.

[@wellnessislife999]

Congratulations! You are an inspiration and a very compassionate spirit

[@marisaosodo7133]

An amazing and gifted African, Congratulations on your award. I wish Wode Maya could find you, so that he can amplify your work and advice to the rest of Africa and Africans in general. You are indeed a treasure in our midst.

[@rosalieedelstein1240]

Love the storytelling. Definitely enjoy how you thought your town how to build. You respected your community. Great job.

[@sebpetrovski-arch]

phenomenal man. we can all truly learn a lot from him

[@n.j.rihari1434]

Francis a true Humanitarian Visionary Artist with People at the core, in looking at a problem trying to figure out how to do something "Better" to improve the lives of all concerned with minimal impact or disruption to the environmental surroundings using age old traditional knowledge, techniques and natural materials. He's a Revolutionist of the Coolest kind, what Miles Davis was to Jazz, Francis is to Structure👍🏼🌳🤔🤩💯🙏🏼

[@المرخالخضراء]

Francis Kere is building a civilization! That's what we humans are here for; to build a bright present and future for our communities. Our project, Green Markh, was launched in April 2014 and we are in our 10th year of work. We are mainly planting trees and green spots, but we fathom other endeavors such as new methods of heat insulation, architecture, or any other way that is natural and safe to human health and well being. We definitely believe we can avail of Kere's method of cooling, and we shall try it. And we pray we can visit Gando Village and meet Franics and his teams hopefully as volunteers and donors, amen!

[@albewillbuild]

Really enjoyed this conversation. Thank you.

[@tobennaokoli4743]

Thank you for sharing. Thank you for utilizing every opportunity to grow and be able to make great positive impact in your country and around the world. This is amazing and so educating. I desire to have opportunities for effective preparation, grow well and make positive impacts in my country and around the world.

[@tobennaokoli4743]

I really admire you Chief Kere and I always learn great Architecture from you since I discovered you in 2020, pandemic period. Thank you for utilizing every opportunity well. But were new trees planted to replace the vast trees cut down to achieve your Pavillion at Montana?

[@jorgesifuentes4626]

UVASofA acaba de dar un gran movimiento para subir de categoría y reconocimiento internacional con este reconocimiento al Arquitecto Kerè.

[@divaldoenzo4742]

The story of the father whose son died wrecked me!

[@carolinefaro70]

Sooo beautiful....

[@cmartin5903]

This holds my attention very well...

[@rzem]

Genius man thank you

[@DavidGBlair]

He sounds like a very good man, doing worthwhile and meaningful work. It’s too bad that every region of the world has not developed architecture from local needs and traditions. I live in China, which is dominated by very ugly buildings designed by international starchitechs.

[@francescos7361]

Great builder and engineer.

[@Levelstomymaddness]

Do you have a book or manual you provide to educate more Africians?

[@jorgesifuentes4626]

El arquitecto Kerè lo ha dicho el mismo, el 85% de la población de su país aún es analfabeta. No saber Leer ni escribir está a esos niveles.

[@S.P.H.E]

Sbonge 🙌🏾

[@peterk4134]

Step aside Zaha Hadid. Frank Gehry et Al.

[@vanessavergara3047]

I would ask Zaha hadid to design middle east if it has a communist party

[@pheleekseh1391]

I like it but I don't think we Africans need their awards, especially under such men as Cecil Rhodes, Thomas Jefferson, Leopold, and so...these men did our ancestors dirty

[@idorski9979]

While I get where you’re coming from I see it differently. We can not undo the past but how we move forward is what matters. I would like to see this not as a pat on the head by the ancestors of those who enslaved Africans but as a bridge between the descendants of those who enslaved and those who were enslaved to push forward. It does not erase the pass and it also does not let you stay stuck in the past. Not sure is I made myself clear, I just think that not giving anyone the chance to move beyond their parents sin only holds us all hostage. As much as we need to hold accountable we must also find ways to keep moving forward hopefully together.

[@idorski9979]

I can only speak for myself and I’ve come to a realization that we all use one another and what we do with it is an individual choice. Yes a person who believes that you need them more than they need you is indeed arrogant and in many ways ignorant. Again, how one deals with it depends on what you want. Sometimes ego can get in the way of progress. I know myself enough to understand that they or whoever I work for needs me as much as I need them. To me everything is a means to an end as long as feel the exchange is fair. For example, the U.S. has been exporting jobs to China for years and they had the arrogant mentality that you mentioned where they thought they need us. Well they did, but they used it as an opportunity to learn and now the world depends on them. Arrogant people will throw hate their way claiming they are stealing this and that but in reality greedy companies and heads of states gave them the secrets. They only complain because the table has turned and they are bitter. I think life is not always fair and that we should use what is available to live a life we want as long as we are not hurting others. That’s why I love the msg Francis Kéré puts out about giving back to his community. Those awards give him the exposure that help fund his passion.

[@kasikwagoma6740]

​​@@idorski9979there was a violent rally here in the United Kingdom by white British youths protesting about statues in different British cities celebrating known slave traders, many brought down these statues because they were rightly repulsed and disgusted by what these men did. Then you on the other hand seems to be suggesting that blacks should move forward by also accepting awards that bear the names of white war criminals, enslavers and brutal colonialists like Cecil Rhodes who is from my part of the world, King leopold of Belgium and all the other war criminals. A jew can never ever accept an award bearing the names of Hitler, goebbels, rohm and other german war criminals never, they have a sense of self pride and respect. It is only we the black African who accepts any poo thrown in our faces. What an outrageous and shameful thing to imply. If educated white British university students and other demonstrated and brought down statues of known slave traders who were white like them, no wonder their countries are so advanced. While the African is told he must just move on and accept humiliation by agreeing to have an award bearing the names of war criminals... God forbid, I will never heed such stupid advice. No wonder Africa was colonised with the kind of mindsets like yours of sellouts. Classic sellouts.

[@albejaine]

​@AnnetteJahnel valuable contribution to this thread

[@josejoaquinvegacardenas3853]

😊

[@therealgodessisis]

Thomas Jefferson the enslaver and child rapist? Or is this a different Thomas Jefferson. What next the Hitler Award for communication. If not, why not.

[@juliuscaeser9834]

Take your negative energy away. Africa is moving forward and no time for cry babies who always look for someone to blame.

[@therealgodessisis]

@@juliuscaeser9834 africa is moving forward by honouring and upholding a man who decided that Africans were less than human. Okay.

[@tlo-tli-so]

😂

[@KofiDaeshaun1020]

I like this. "I am allowed to say stupid things"

[@warpnin3]

It is a funny German word: "Narrenfreiheit" I looked it up, and it means something like: "fool's license", the freedom to do and say whatever you please. Like, for instance, Dave Chapelle and other standup comedians can say almost just about anything in their performances