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 African festival in Germany’s federal capital opens on 7 June with a wide-ranging programme including live concerts, dance workshops, bazaar and workshops at the popular Alexanderplatz in the city centre. The Festival is visited by around 5,000 people daily!
Kenako Afrika Festival, from 7-17 June, parades established and up-and-coming artists, including Afrikadelle, a group that combines the best of the musical traditions of Benin and Burkina Faso, Vido Jelashe, a South Africa-born reggae musician, and the Congolese singer Carmel Zoum – who are all based in Germany.
The Berlin-based Nigerian duo Qudus & Habib, who combine traditional African rhythms with modern pop music, Cameroonian Yannick Kouemou and the band Sahad & the Nataal Patchwork from Senegal will play at the festival as well.
This year’s top international acts are Kareyce Fotso from Cameroon and the Ugandan-born Jaqee.
Every year, the free concerts are an absolute highlight of the Kenako Festival. This year a total of 17 bands and individual artists will perform throughout the eleven festival days.
An Intercultural Market, which opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm, affords visitors the chance to buy artefacts, gift items, sample African food and simply enjoy the bazaar atmosphere.
Kenako Festival, which celebrates its 7th anniversary, also hosts other events, ranging from film shows, workshops and podium discussions on how our shopping behavior can help improve the difficult living conditions in the countries of the Global South.
The Bridgebuilder’s Fair, which takes place every year in the course of the Kenako Festival, communicates to a big audience the valuable and diverse work of organisations and initiatives with connection to Africa.
This year, the Bridgebuilder’s Fair will take place from 9-10 June and numerous associations and initiatives will present their current projects. The most sustainable project will receive the Kenako Award.
Vivian Asamoah
For the complete festival programme, visit: www.kenako-festival.de
