We Were Here – The Untold History of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe
Film Screening and Discussion with filmmaker Fred Kuwornu
Booking and details
Get TicketsDates Sun, Feb 1, 2026, 1pm
Venue Folger Theatre
Tickets $20
Duration 63 minutes with a 20-30-minute Q&A
Please note: Children under the age of 4 are not permitted.
Join us for a matinee screening of the documentary We Were Here – The Untold History of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe, followed by a discussion with filmmaker and current Folger Artistic Research Fellow Fred Kuwornu.
Acclaimed at the 60th International Art Exhibition la Biennale Venezia, We Were Here unveils the untold history of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe through iconic artworks. The film reveals the histories of princes, ambassadors, merchants, and religious figures, and explores stories absent from traditional history books. The film interweaves art history with social narratives, offering a fresh lens on European Renaissance and the complex tapestry of Black presence often overlooked in conventional historical accounts.
About the Director
Fred Kuwornu
2025-26 Artistic Research Fellow
The Black Saint
The Black Saint investigates the life and legacy of Saint Benedict the Moor, one of the first Black individuals to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Born in Sicily to enslaved African parents in the 1500s, his rise to sainthood and his veneration, particularly by African American Catholics, hold immense historical significance. This documentary explores Benedict’s global legacy, tracing his devotion across Europe and South America, while shedding light on how his story shaped religious and racial perception