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 annual summer season of African music and culture, featuring live concerts and parading the crème de la crème of artistes from the continent and the Diaspora, in Germany enters into full swing in May. From May to November, African festivals take place across Germany. From the southwestern city of Emmendingen (near Freiburg) to the federal capital and cultural metropolis of Berlin, events celebrating African music, films, foods, arts and other cultural expressions are held. Here are the Top Festivals promising an unforgettable experience
African Food Festival Berlin
4-5 May / Berlin, Gleisdreieck-Park
Great food and good vibes! Various stalls offer a selection of authentic African dishes. The festival aims to show that African cuisine goes far beyond the usual clichés and offers many unique and experimental flavour experiences. Musically, the African Food Festival is accompanied by a mixture of Afro House and Afrobeats. Young designers present their products at the African Goods Market. Visitors have the opportunity to sample authentic teas and chocolate from Africa and shop for sustainable fashion and accessories.
https://www.africanfoodfestival.de/
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Africa Festival Wuerzburg
30 May – 2 June / Wuerzburg, Mainwiesen
If you want to hear the soulful rhythms of Fatoumata Diawara or experience the new highlife music of Santrofi, then make your way to Wuerzburg this year. If you can’t make it, Arte (TV) usually broadcasts live concerts and highlights. Certainly worth a visit for the unbelievable line-up. Add the film screenings, bazaar and the extensive children’s programmes, and Wuerzburg can legitimately claim to be Africa’s largest cultural gathering in Europe. More than two million people have attended the festival since its inception in 1989.
www.africafestival.org
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International African Festival Tubingen
6 – 9 June/ Tubingen, Festplatz
In addition to the music and cultural performances on the stage, the audience is also offered the opportunity to learn about political, social and environmental issues as they affect the continent, through stands, workshops, lectures and discussion forums.
https://www.africafestival-international.org/
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Afro-Ruhr Festival
28 – 30 June / Dortmund, Fritz-Henßler-Haus
The festival that extends over 3 colourful days and offers live music, a bazaar, workshops and club evenings. In addition, further cultural events are organised before and after this long Africa weekend: Readings, cinema and visual arts show a different picture of Africa.
www.afro-ruhr-festival.de
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Afrikatage Landshut
5 – 7 July / Landshut, Alte Kaserne
It will all be about African music, dance and fashion in and around the Old Barracks of Landshut for three days. The creative, colourful and varied Africa will be on display with 50 market stands, displaying musical instruments, fabrics, jewellery, shoes, masks, but also CDs, pictures and much more. Culinary specialties from West and North Africa ensure unusual culinary delights. International, antiracist and African projects are presented as well. Since 2002, the festival has contributed to putting Africa on the cultural calendar in Landshut and has gained an excellent reputation beyond the Bavarian town. The 15,000 to 30,000 festival visitors each year are a proof of its attraction.
https://afrikatage-landshut.de
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Afrika-Festival Stuttgart
12 – 14 July / Stuttgart, Erwin-Schöttle-Platz
The colourful festival offers a varied program of Africa every year with concerts, films, workshops and an interesting program especially for the little ones. In addition to a rich concert program on two musical stages, there is a colourful bazaar with culinary specialties from various African regions, as well as sales stands that offer clothing, jewellery and pottery.
https://www.afrikafestival-stuttgart.de/
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African Festival Potsdam/Brandenburg
19 – 20 July 2024/ Potsdam, Luisenplatz
Cultural displays/attractions, Presentation of Kings & Queens, Catwalk, Modelling, Fashion show, Melodrama, Theatre Dance, Choreography, Gospel Singers, Reggae music, Different Bands, Upcoming Artists, Food from different African countries, Children programmes, Cooking show, Tombola etc.
Special attraction: Parade from Peter & Paul Church through Brandenburger Str. till Luisenplatz Potsdam
Contact: 0152 337 149 48, 0152 11487 309, 017672735805
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Sommerfestival der Kulturen Stuttgart
19 – 24 July / Stuttgart, Marktplatz
This year offers the festival its visitors in addition to the top-class live acts but again a framework program with a wide range for all Stuttgart and guests. Festival of diversity offers beside musical melting pot, a colourful program! For six days, Stuttgart is the place to dance, party, eat and drink. Stars from the international world music scene inspire with rousing concerts of various genres from griot to indie rock, ska and Balkan beats to cumbia, rumba, flamenco and much more – all free of charge. There will also be a colourful market of cultures meandering through the side streets of the Marktplatz.
www.sommerfestival-der-kulturen.de
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African Music Festival Emmendingen
1 – 4 August / Emmendingen, Schlossplatz
The rhythmic pulse of Africa has been beating in the middle of a city on the edge of the Black Forest since 2001. On the first weekend of August, Emmendingen will once again be the focus of African culture and, above all, the music of the continent.
In addition to the various workshops and an extensive supporting program, the world bazaar and the street parade should not be missed this year. The African Music Festival Emmendingen, with its line-up of talented artistes and supporting activities, promises its fans an unforgettable experience.
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Nollywood Film Festival
2 - 3 August/Frankfurt am Main, Goethe Universität
The Nigerian home-grown film industry, known globally as Nollywood, has a date with its fans in Germany again in August. The festival will be crowned with the Nollywood E-Golden Awards at which selected industry practitioners who “have played important roles in making Nollywood what it has become today” will be honoured. A-list stand-up comedians, cultural dancers and Nigerian hip-hop performances will also feature at the awards event.
http://www.nollywoodawards.com/
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Afrikanisches und Karibisches Kulturfest Frankfurt
12 – 13 August / Frankfurt, Rebstockpark
Live music, discussions in the forum tent, children’s program, performances by numerous artists, as well as the popular bazaar with African food and handicrafts
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Kenako-Festival Berlin
23 August – 1 September / Berlin, Alexanderplatz
The flair of the African cultures comes to Berlin! Visitors can buy handmade art, clothing, cosmetics and food at the bazaar. The stage offers a cultural program of music, dance and theatre. In addition, What does Africa engagement look like in Germany? You will find answers to these and many more questions at the Kenako Festival as numerous organizations, associations and initiatives from all over Germany present their projects around Africa and the African diaspora.
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Alafia – Afrika Festival Hamburg
23 – 25 August / Hamburg, Große Bergstrasse
Alafia stands for peace, tolerance and openness. With rhythmic music, individual craftsmanship and delicacies from different countries, the festival brings together the cultures of the African continent in Hamburg.
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MitAfrika Festival
16 – 18 September / Cologne, Schockoladenmuseum
Expected bright sunshine will attract many visitors to the “MitAfrika” festival at the Chocolate Museum. Culinary and arts and crafts as well as many colourful colours and children’s attractions. Many participants may also take the opportunity to participate in the drum and dance workshops of Mama Afrika.
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Afrika Film Festival Köln
19 – 29 September /Cologne
In its 21st year, the festival will present 80 films from 25 African countries and play hosts to 30 international filmmakers this year. In addition to the screenings, podium discussions, featuring directors, will debate the current standing of the African filmmaking world.
FilmInitiativ Köln e.V. has organised the festival themed Jenseits von Europa – Filme aus Afrika (Out of Europe – Films from Africa) since 1992. More than 500 films from 40 African countries have been shown in Cologne at the biennial festival and the film specials held during the years in between.
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AFRIKAMERA
12 – 17 November/Berlin, Kino Arsenal
By presenting current films by African directors, AFRIKAMERA aims to immerse its visitors in the cultural, historical, social, religious and political consciousness of contemporary Africa. AFRIKAMERA cooperates with the major African film festivals, from Ouagadougou (with FESPACO) to Marrakech and Durban, in order to present African cinema in all its diversity
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