The Golden Box

To initiate a change in perspective on the Listros is one LISTROS' main goals and has been addressed in several projects in both Ethiopia and Germany.

Prior to a trip of six artists from Germany to Ethiopia in 2008, Robert Weber printed 5000 posters depicting a gilded Listros box and the quote "To me the love - respect for my work." These were distributed to the Listros in Addis Ababa who euphoricly and unconditionally fixed them to bus stops, fences and Pepsi advertisements. Everyone wanted to get a poster, which he then proudly wore on his chest through the city.

In 2004 artist Robert Weber created the golden box depicted on poster in tk. In 2012 it was on display in the worldwide renowned exhibition "Gold" in Viennese Museum Belvedere.

During the same trip, the artists improvised a little gilding workshop in the University of Fine Arts. The Listros were encouraged to bring their boxes and cover them with gold leaf. In this way, the preciousness of this essential tool was made visible to people who otherwise regarded the Listro as riff-raff. 

LISTROS Association awards the Golden Box to people who support the concern of LISTROS to encourage young people working in Ethiopia. The German President was granted the Golden Box on the occasion of the exhibition "Change Your Perspective" in 2010. The box is now located in the Federal President's office Bellevue in Berlin. At the ceremony then President Christian Wulff emphasized: "I am a Listro."