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| Adesa
– Acrobatics,
Clowning, Storytelling-Children program. |
| Children programs were definitely part of the
highlights of the festival. The Ghanaian group “ADESA”
kept the children as well as the parents joyful with
fascinating acrobatics, clowning and storytelling. |
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| Adesa |
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| Carmen, Carolina and Karin(mother) |
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Carmen: I come from Mannheim to attend the Africa Festival in
Wuerzburg. My sister, who visits the festival every year for
the past 7 years, informed me of the festival. It’s great. I
am impressed. I have not been to Africa but would like to
whenever I have the opportunity.
I imagine Africa with a lot of sunshine throughout the
year.
Carolina: Yes, I attend the festival every year. Each time, I am
fascinated by the African music, food, exotic clothing,
fashionable jewelry and the atmosphere as a whole. I can
always learn something new about the African culture. I have
not been to Africa but I would love to. When I think about
Africa, I imagine wildlife with interesting animals.
Karin: I
am happy to be here with my daughters to enjoy the cultural
festival. I really like it. The atmosphere here reflects my
imagination of Africa. When I think about Africa, I think of
people with smiles on their faces and happy children. |
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| The
gorgeous ladies |
| Entertainment and enjoyment are common elements of the
festival. Elegantly dressed in African attires with pairs of
sunglasses to protect their eyes from UV-rays, these beautiful
ladies are having fun at one of the numerous concerts. |
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| Aniko,
Victoria, Andrea and Nadia |
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Aniko: I am happy to be here at the festival. One has the
chance to see and buy nice products from Africa. The African
cuisine is also available. It is really nice. I have not been
to Africa but would like to. The impact of the different
impressions at the festival is overwhelming – the people,
the music, the fashionable costumes and so on.
Victoria: I am here again at the festival with my family. I like
it. I have seen many interesting things especially the
handmade jewelries. I bought a necklace with pendant that I
like very much.
Andrea: Today is my first day at the festival this year. I
visited the festival last year on 2 days last year. I came the
first day with all members of my family. The next day, I
attended the festival alone in order to enjoy it even more
intensively. I was in Mombasa, Kenya on vacation. I had
thrilling experience with safari tours and enjoyed remarkable
scenery of Mount Kilimanjaro. Here at the festival, I have
bought a gorgeous piece of jewelry and a lamp. I also bought a
garden lamp last year. I like the creative African artistic
works.
Nadia: I have attended the festival for a couple of years
consecutively. Each time, I am enthusiastic. I am interested
in other cultures and traditions. The festival increases my
desire to visit Africa. When I am at home after the festival,
I would like to remember the African music and the colorful
impressions I experienced.
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Panel Discussion –
Ten years of democracy in South Africa
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| A panel consisting of the South
African author Gcina Mhlope, the journalist Bartholomaus
Grill, Harro Adt and Dr. Mathews Phosa discussed the
achievements of South Africa since democracy as well as the
current problems facing the 10-year old democratic government.
Issues discussed included education, employment, land
distribution, criminality and HIV AIDS
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| Anna
and Viola |
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Anna: I attended the festival last year with my parents and
I liked it. This is why I am here again this year. It is quite
interesting to see various products from Africa. I find the
handworks beautiful.
Viola: I
was also here last year. I would like to learn about the
African culture and I think that this festival provides an
opportunity. I like going around the markets. It’s fun. I am
of the opinion that the African dresses/fashion could be
adapted for Europeans. |
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The “Original” Africa
Festival
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In
its 16th year, the Africa Festival in Wuerzburg
attracted visitors and parcipators from Germany and abroad.
“The
event recorded 36 000 visitors on Saturday 29. May 2004”,
says Karl-Gerhard Röttger, who is a one of the
event’s planners since the festival’s inception. During
the 4-day event that began on 28th May and ended on
31st May, over 150 000 people enjoyed African
culture in various forms. African products were available for
sale at the markets, unique African cuisine could be tasted,
percussionists performed at several locations on the premises,
concerts with African music stars sent the audience in ecstasy
and children as well as their parents had a lot of fun with
African acrobatic, clowning and storytelling.
The
organizers termed the festival as the “original”. It is
undoubtedly the earliest of its kind and there is the tendency
for organizers from other parts of Germany to emulate its
concept and success. Taking the gate fees, festival fees,
concert fees and other fees into consideration, it is incredulous
that the festival still attracted thousands of people. AFRITOPIC
conducted brief interviews with some visitors to get their
opinions about the festival and the festival’s organization.
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| The
Man in Multicultural Outfit |
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| While
keeping the African culture, African descendants have also
learnt to integrate other cultures and styles into their
lifestyle. In a laid-back manner, this gentleman in a
multicultural outfit, tells and shows AFRITOPIC how he is
enjoying himself at his market. He believes that the festival
is a good way to come in contact with buyers of his African
products.
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| Karlheinz
Böhm – Reading African short stories and fairy tales |
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| The
former German actor who founded the organization “Menschen für
Menschen” (People for People) to provide aid for
people in Ethopia reads African short stories and fairy tales.
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| Photos-5> |
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| The
Talking-Drummer - Member of Nike’s Center for Art &
Culture |
| The acclaimed Nigerian indigo batik
designer and artist, Nike Davie-Okundaye showcased her designs
and art works at the festival. As part of her cultural
contribution to the festival, one of the members of her
entourage amazed visitors with a traditional Yoruba musical
instrument called “talking drum”. The talking-drummer
translates spoken messages into rhythm.
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| Susanne |
| Susanne: This is my second day at the festival and I am very
impressed with the way it is organized. The markets give me a
feeling of being in Africa. It is quite nice seeing diverse
aspects of African culture and meeting people from various
backgrounds. I lived in South Africa for 2 years and hope to
go back as soon as possible.
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| The guy who
stole the show |
| Modern fabrics and complex tailoring are out! Natural
materials and simple stitches are in! He appeared from
nowhere, walking leisurely through the markets and all eyes
were on him – the man in cellulose fiber costume. |
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| Singlay Nosliw
– German Reggae and Dancehall |
| The German language is generally
believed to be unsuitable for Reggae and Black music. But
Singlay delivered melodic Reggae in German language to the
audience at the festival. Many rounds of applause acknowledged
his talent. |
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| Afritopic
2004 |
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