By Frederick Philander WINDHOEK The second Rakutuka Arts Festival of the Katutura Community Arts Centre was last weekend successfully launched and completed with participation from a wide range of art expressions in the capital. The festival was preceded with an exhibition the Thursday evening, “The Caring Namibian Man”, initiated as a response to the intensely negative image of Namibian men found in so many news articles every day. On Friday more activities were showcased in the Boiler Theatre, the main venue for the event. Art students and local artists exhibited their talents throughout the three-day township festival. According to artist Nicky Marias: “The stories of rape, murder, abuse and other violence perpetrated by men are tragically and horrifyingly frequent and true. The other stories also need to be told though, the stories of tenderness, fairness, hard work and fortitude. In order for our sons to grow up with positive role models, in order for our daughters to grow up with a fair view of men, we need to hear and see the “other” side of men.” Saturday was undoubtedly the climax of the festival, boasting a lengthy programme of music performances, poetry, choir singing, traditional dancing, drama performances, facial painting session as well as a beauty contest.