The long-awaited FESTAC Africa Festival kicked off with excitement in Kisumu County, Kenya, on Monday, August 26, 2024.
The week-long event began with an opening ceremony at Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, attended by a number of dignitaries, including Raila Odinga, the former prime minister of Kenya, Olusegun Obasanjo, the governor of Kisumu County, and Anyang Nyong’o.
Cultural groups, singers, and dancers from various African nations, such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Nigeria, opened the event.
Benny Willis Wallace from Nigeria, Burundi Dancers from Burundi, and the Kenyan band Les Wanyika were a few of the performers who wowed the attendees.
Yinka Abioye, the Chairman of FESTAC Africa International, said during the event that Africa was ready to reclaim its proper position in the world.
He said that in order for the continent to stand together, its differences had to be put aside.
He expressed dismay that some people frequently took advantage of the latter, saying that there were more things that brought Africans together than divided them.
Speaking at the event, Obasanjo said he was a little homesick for the Festival of Arts and Culture, which had returned after its second iteration had taken place in Nigeria in 1977, when he was the military’s head of state. The highly regarded festival’s inaugural edition took place in Dakar, Senegal, eleven years earlier in 1966.
Recalling his experience when the festival held in Nigeria 47 years ago, the former president said, “I come up here to express appreciation and thanks; first to the governor of Kisumu County, Anyang Nyong’o, for making FESTAC take place here, and for contributing to what I call a renaissance and rebirth of FESTAC. But for me, I am feeling a bit of emotion because, as you heard, we had the first one in Senegal in 1966, and for 11 years, there was no other one.
“Nigeria accepted to stage another edition of the festival in 1975, and the country was preparing for it, but there was a change of government, and some people felt we should cancel it. But, I said we should not, and we went on to host it.”
He added that the event brought black people from all over the world, including Papua New Guinea, Australia and the United States of America, and was successful.
He also acknowledged that the event was abeyance for over four decades because “it was left entirely in the hands of the government”.
Obasanjo, who returned as a democratically elected president from 1999 to 2007, also commended the efforts of the Chairman of FESTAC Africa International, Yinka Abioye, for his tenacity and commitment.
He said, “At this juncture, I would like to commend Yinka (Abioye) for his efforts and tenacity and for making FESTAC come again in my lifetime.”
Additionally, he promoted intra-African trade, arguing that it was hindered by inadequate infrastructure, obstacles erected by various nations’ interns, visa requirements, and other factors.
Aside from sports and games like chess, other activities include movie screenings, tree planting, and health screenings.
This occurred while a number of exhibitors had a variety of goods on display, including crafts and artwork from Africa.
On Sunday, August 25, the event began with a grand reopening ceremony at the picturesque Dunga Hill Camp. This was followed by a regatta opening ceremony.
On Tuesday, August 27, there will be events such as “Dinner in the Dark,” a unique project supported by the Kenya Society for the Blind.
Trade and investment summits, “Diaspora Matters,” and other events are scheduled for Wednesday, August 28.
“Diaspora Matters” in addition to other shows. The Hindu Council of Kenya Kisumu Branch is sponsoring a cultural event called “Africa-Asia Culture Night,” which promises to be a lively and melodious blend of cultures.
In a similar vein, there will be a fashion business dialogue, cultural performances, an afro-fusion fashion show, and a summit on climate change on Friday, August 30.
In keeping with the weekend vibe, the “Open Africa Market Day” and the “Trinidad and Tobago All-White Party” will get things started on Saturday, August 31.
The Africa Gala Dinner and Awards Night, one of the festival’s highlight events, will take place later in the evening to honor and recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the expansion of travel to Africa.
The festival is anticipated to feature traditional performances by Buruni Drummers, Bamasaaba Cultural Dance Kadodi (Uganda), and Ahero Greeners: Dodo Dance (Kenya).
Conversely, “modern performances” include, among many others, Bill Clinton Kalonji (DRC), Empress Aje (Trinidad and Tobago), Kim Poole (United States of America), Brata of Africa (Nigeria), Benny Willis Wallace (Nigeria), and Spitter 99 (Kenya).
Salami Olamyde Ojuinu of Edaibile 71024, Cathy Nagawa of Yambala Fashion House in Uganda, and Branda Mthinga Onono of Kenya are a few of the fashion designers who will exhibit their creations.
The movies “Daughter of the Lake,” “Silent Disease,” “Asantewaa,” “For Ikemefuna,” “Story of Bones,” “A Dry White Season,” “Royal Conspiracy,” and “The Girl I Love Most” will also be screened.
