THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The international fair for Crafts Fair, Design, Natural Goods and Fair Trade Products takes place in Berlin from 6 to 10 November. Around 40,000 visitors are expected at the Berlin Exhibition Centre for the annual sales exhibition.
From 6 to 10 November, around 500 exhibitors from all over the world will present their products at Bazaar Berlin. From sustainable furniture and wood accessories from Portugal or hand-printed cotton fabrics from India to Bolga baskets from Ghana – everything revolves around arts and crafts, design, natural goods and fair trade products at the sales fair.
“Our visitors will get something that is not available everywhere – a special gift with a special story. There is something beautiful and sustainable from all over the world,” explains Barbara Mabrook, project manager of Bazaar Berlin.
Some of the exhibitors at Bazaar Berlin 2019 will show how creative problem solving results in unique gifts. One example is the company Chako, which has developed a business concept from the growing garbage mountains in Zanzibar. They bet on upcycling and turn waste products into unusual tourist souvenirs: discarded bottles, for example, are turned to new glasses, storage containers or lamps. Packaging material turns to beach bags or beaded curtains.
“With our variety of creative products, we want to keep Zanzibar clean and support local artisans with fair wages,” says Annaleos Roelandschap of Chako.
Jarida Crafts from Kenya also relies on creative solutions to problems. At the end of the 1980s, the water hyacinth came to Kenya and spread rapidly there. The result: Shipping and fishing were massively impaired. Particularly affected was Lake Victoria, because fishing is the only source of income for many people around the lake.
Lilian and Harry Omondi came up with the idea of using the water hyacinth as raw material and started to make beautiful stationery items.
Launched in 1962 as “Partner of Progress”, the international sales exhibition for handicrafts, jewellery, textiles and home accessories has been taking place since 2013 under the name “Bazaar Berlin”.
Every November around 40,000 visitors come to the exhibition halls under the Berlin Funkturm to acquire something extraordinary, sustainable and beautiful from all over the world. The organizer of Bazaar Berlin is Messe Berlin GmbH.
Femi Awoniyi with Messe Berlin press release
The ticket for the Bazaar Berlin 2019 costs €9.50 at the entrance and €8 in the online shop. Children under the age of six have free admission on all days of the fair. Discounted tickets for students, apprentices and students are available at the entrance for €8. Children and adolescents up to the age of 14 have free admission on weekends when accompanied by adults.
More information at www.bazaar-berlin.de as well as on Facebook and Instagram (@BazaarBerlin).
