Photo By Gabe Rogel
Speaking Testimonials
Comments and letters from Majka's Vertical Ethiopia and Namibia Speaking Tours
Colorado Environmental Coalition and Osprey Packs Join Event, Dolores, Colorado, January 12th, 2010.
"As a public lands organizer working for the Colorado Environmental Coalition in western Colorado I was immediately intrigued by Burhardt’s interest in the interface between our culture’s adventure seeking and environmental/conservation sensibilities. This issue, this need to move beyond an anthropocentric view of our surrounding landscapes, is one that consistently arises in the field of non-profit conservation work. For me specifically, the question becomes how can CEC encourage the burgeoning population of outdoor enthusiasts to come to understand, appreciate, and work to protect nature on nature’s own terms. Burhardt’s answer; tapping into the universal ‘love of landscape’ that permeates and connects the kayaker to the rancher, the hiker to the farmer, and the 33 year old Burhardt to a new Himba mother in Northern Namibia. Waypoint Namibia is not to be missed."
Kate Graham, Public Lands Organizer, Colorado Environmental Coalition
Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Cleveland, Ohio. February 19th, 2009.
“Majka Burhardt spoke to a rapt audience about what she had learned as a writer, a climber, and a human being in Ethiopia. Burhardt’s extraordinary personal honesty drew the audience into her story and provided a context for much of the information she presented. Her connection with this place is profound."
Meredith Holmes, Independent Evaluator
"I would highly recommend Majka Burhardt to any group with an interest in insight into mountain climbing, nature, coffee production, and Ethiopian culture."
Linda Clark, Director of Global Programming, Cleveland Council on World Affairs
World Affairs Council of Oregon, Kenton Firehouse Theater, Portland, Oregon, April 16th.
"Majka Burhardt's presentation on Vertical Ethiopia truly exposed Ethiopia from a perspective that most of us were never aware of. Through her engaging and informative talk, Majka told her story in the most inspiring of ways while presenting beautiful scenery and shedding light on people’s way of living. I can say with confidence that the people of Ethiopia are blessed to have an ambassador that is raising awareness of their country. I would highly recommend Majka’s presentation to anyone and everyone. In less than 45 minutes one can learn so much, one can get inspired and have fun while doing so. Now, what more can you ask for?"
Milica Markovic, Young Professionals Liaison, World Affairs Council of Oregon
Phillps Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire. February 9th, 2010
"Audiences can connect with Majka in many ways and on many levels. People with passions for creative writing, filmmaking, travel, and sports (not to mention fine coffee!) can all relate to Majka and learn from her. Majka is also at home in a range of settings, from small writing workshops and seminars to larger screenings and lectures.
Majka won us over especially by getting to know us before she gave her presentation. When she arrived in Exeter, she immediately engaged our students in conversation about their backgrounds and interests. As a result, when she spoke to the student body as a whole, she gave a talk that was perfect in content, tone, and style. I recommend her enthusiastically."
Thomas Simpson, Assembly Coordinator, Phillps Exeter Academy
Princeton University, Princeton New Jersey. April 24th, 2008
“Majka Burhardt brings a fresh viewpoint to climbing in remote places by making the people and their culture as vibrant and important as the rock itself.”
Rick Curtis, Director, Princeton University Outdoor Action Program
Houston World Affairs Council and International Fest, Houston Texas, April 26th, 2008.
“Majka Burhardt is an excellent storyteller with the ability to weave together the technical aspects of climbing, Ethiopia’s ancient culture, and its modern sensibilities in a way that makes the country come alive. She delivers with candor, energy and humor. Our Young Professionals not only enjoyed talking with her but also valued the opportunity to discover the hidden face of Ethiopia.”
Christina Lee, World Affairs Council of Houston, Young Professionals Group
Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, February 21, 2009.
"Majka Burhardt presented her multimedia show "Vertical Ethiopia" at the "Women and/in Climbing Evening" at the 12th Annual Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (along with other speakers and films) to a big crowd of around 380 climbers and outdoor-oriented festival fans. Her presentation was upbeat, inspirational, very thoughtful and sincere, and it felt real and immediate in that it truly reflected Majka's personality. Majka is a first class story teller (who can probably talk non-stop) with a great sense of the story itself, and she combines her storytelling arts with images and music to immerse the viewer right into the scene. In her presentation Majka covered her trips to Ethiopia; trips that combined investigative writing and journalism with her climbing and outdoor pursuits while still paying attention to and caring for the local culture. The show itself is surely appealing to climbers, but also to generic outdoor audience, travelers, and the ones who are deeply interested in remote cultures. In the end, we all live on the same planet, and these foreign cultures are also part of us all."
Alan Formanek, Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival Director
Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum, August 3rd, 2008.
"Majka gives a rousing presentation, touching upon the politics, culture, history, sadness, mystery, and adventure to be found in a nation long thought of as the home of starvation—Ethiopia. Her enthusiasm for and knowledge of this ancient land brings to light the harsh reality of misconceptions—they exist so long as no one tells us to look deeper. Majka helps her audience look deeper, and see the beauty of adventure in Ethiopia."
Chris Case, Curator, Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum
Keystone Science School, Keystone, Colorado, August 3rd, 2008
“Her presentation gave an amazing insight into climbing and the culture of Ethiopia. I walk away with a deeper understanding for not only Ethiopia but developing and impoverished nations across the world. It inspired me to take a closer look at the media and the way I view the world.”
Dave Miller, Outreach Director, Keystone Science School
5 College Consortium, Amherst, MA February 28th, 2009.
"Vertical Ethiopia transcends the typical climber slide show genre. Majka delievers on her promise to explore new ways of understanding Ethiopia. Her presentation is professional and polished, we really enjoyed it."
Guy B. deBrun, Instructor Outdoor Programs/Recreational Athletics, Hampshire College
REI Flagship Denver Store, Denver, CO, June 19th, 2008.
"Majka’s presentation at our location was one of our best presentations of the year, and we host a lot of them, probably over 100 each year. The gift that makes writers successful is not making presentations before groups but by writing well. Still, they are often required to go on the road and promote their work.
In Vertical Ethiopia, those in attendance have a chance to come to terms with their own preconceptions of life in Ethiopia, of its people and culture. Majka begins with her own memory of the faraway land as a child, and includes the concerns of loved ones for her safety in a style that enlarges the often narrow travelogue review. The colorful descriptions she gives of her companions and the characters from this experience all stand alone as entertainment apart from the actual content of the wonderful book itself.
We host a lot of writers to promote their work, but there is a short list of exceptional presenters, and Majka is on that list. She has an engaging style and uses a variety of means to make her information memorable. She is also easy to work with for the store staff. I wish her safe passage on her future endeavors so that she will consider returning to offer other programs for our members and guests.
Bob Cook, Outreach Director.
IMAX Theater, Seattle. Event in Conjunction with the Pacific Science Center and the World Affairs Council of Seattle. April 17th, 2008.
"Thank you so much for your presentation at Pacific Science Center. You are a great presenter---knowledgeable, enthusiastic, animated and fun. I actually have told people that you could single handedly boost Ethiopia’s tourism by 10% given due to your passion for Ethiopia. I really appreciated how you wove the culture, geography and history of Ethiopia into your climbing adventure story. Thank you again for sharing your considerable knowledge of an area of the world that is unknown to many people."
Diane Carlson, Vice-President Visitor Services & Theaters, Pacific Science Center.
Epilogue Book Company, Steamboat Springs, Colorado. March 12th, 2008.
"At her March 12th event in Steamboat Springs, Majka Burhardt adeptly presented a stunning visual tour of her 2007 expedition to the sandstone towers of northern Ethiopia. She shared with the audience a unique and inspiring look into this oft poorly understood ancient culture. In hearing the story of the complex history of the Horn of Africa, while looking through the lens of her bold and innovative all-female expedition, the audience was treated to a truly singular story of culture, exploration, and adventure."
Erica Fogue, Owner, Epilogue Book Company.
Boulder Bookstore, Boulder, Colorado. February 25th, 2008.
"Majka's presentation was one of the best that I've seen. It was a perfect blend of history, culture, and climbing adventures. Everyone in the audience was fascinated with the landscape and with Majka's stories of daily life in Ethiopia. A great complement to her book which is filled with additional photographs and stories from her trip."
Mandy King, Event Coordinator, Boulder Bookstore
Bowdoin College, Brunswick Maine. February 12th, 2008.
"We (the Bowdoin Outing Club) were ecstatic about bringing Majka Burhardt. She incorporates an eclectic mix of photography, immersion in foreign culture, geography, human rights, and adventure into a presentation which illuminates just how original this experience was. Not to mention that she's climbing first ascents on sandstone with other women, Majka's talk was truly unique and inspiring!"
Oliver Cunningham, Bowdoin Outing Club Co-President
Chicks With Picks, Ouray Colorado, February 1st, 2008.
"Vertical Ethiopia is a wonderful mix of raw adventure, culture and compassion. When Majka’s journey to climb the untapped potential turned into a less than desirable affair she was able to glean the beauty of the experience through her spirit of pure exploration. The destination thus becomes the journey and the ability to be present in whatever unfolds is the mark of a true life-learner. Her sensitivity towards the culture and environment is both infectious and inspirational. The beautiful images, her stories and ability to see the humor inspires the viewer to never hold back while reaping the lessons in every moment and in every adventure. Nicely done."
Kim Reynolds, Head Chick, Chicks with Picks
Durango Ice Fest, January 5th, 2008
"Majka Burhardt's slide show on climbing, culture, hardships and life in Ethiopia is brilliant both in the images and stories. She has presented an adventure not often found today when most areas have been climbed and explored. Ethiopia appears to be a country with adventurous climbing and a rich history everyone should learn about. I recommend seeing Majka's presentation to learn more of the "Lost Continent". "
Brendan Cusick, Durango Ice Festival Coordinator
Women's Resource Center Fundraiser, Durango, Colorado
"Equal parts climber, journalist and advocate, Majka Burhardt explores gender, religious conflict and geopolitics in the context of rock climbing and adventure tourism in the Horn of Africa. The Ethiopia she experienced during her all-female expedition is a relevant and important piece of modern Africa, and her vibrant descriptions speak to everyone, from hard-core climbers to casual travelers.”
Katie Tiernan, Executive Director, Women's Resource Center, Durango, CO