About us
AfriCult - African Cultural Festival
Preamble:
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afriCult was found and launched in 1997 by Dipl Ing Arch Remi Ofoedu. Before 1997 the artists of African origin had individually presented African Culture and this was often not appreciated because of the atmosphere where the presentation is made. Africa has many things offer than individual music, safari pictures and drumming. Dipl Ing Arch Ofoedu Remi decided to organize the African Cultural Festival, where the artists, musicians, traditional dancers and modern dancers are given the opportunity to demonstrate their potential and talent in a befitting environment. The first cultural festival was held on Saturday, 21 March 1998 and Sunday, 22 March 1998 in Vienna's city hall. Due to the rehabilitation work in the Banquet hall of the City Hall, the Festival was relocated to the "Wiener Stadthalle". After many years in the "Stadthalle" and due to public agitation, afriCult moved and held its first open air festival. Meanwhile, it has become a major event, with many visitors and artists from abroad, as well as artists who live in Austria.
afriCult:
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The afriCult is always under the motto: "potential" and "benefit" for immigrants of African origin. The festival is a testament of a successful cultural exchange between Africa and Europe. Since we live under conditions stipulated by Austria, it is necessary to connect this cultural event with a political and media program.
afriCult is a forum for all those interested in African Culture and African Development. It combats Political confrontations and racism against Africa and promotes constructive exchanges of economic, social and global issues. Since such an event is presented once a year, afriCult Team welcomes the various groups and organizations that have followed our example and also organize African Festivals.
The relationship between Austria/Europe and Africa are questionable, in particular the development co-operations in Africa which lack success. This type of development programs is often ad hoc and the negotiating partners are the States. There are millions of Africans in Europe. In the discussions on the European-African Relations, they are usually not taken into consideration. Their living situation is not addressed because they are Immigrants. How can good Relationship between Africans and Europeans be achieved, if at the same time an inhuman European policy is practiced towards these Africans?
a. The African Cultural Festival presents the basic concept of previous festivals and connects the artistic creativity of Africans in Austria and abroad in concerts, theater, exhibitions of painting, sculpture, fashion shows, traditional and modern dances, in addition to some international groups that participate to enrich the Festival.
b. The dialogue program is always under the motto: "Potential and Benefits of Immigrants of African Origin"
c. The third part is the Media program; a wider population will be reached. The aim will be to apply the topic of broadcasts on radio and television.
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Target
Target of the cultural festival is to excite the interest of the general public, as well as students and foreigners. The target of the dialogue programs is base on racism, politics, economics and social issues. Since the focus point of most problems is in an inter-state level, afriCult offers lectures for discussions and enlightenment to people of African origin and their Austrian/European counterpart.
Objective:
a. Artistic appreciation of cultural expressions of Africa:
Niche Arts of Africa is part of the indigenous minority cultures. Their artistic potential and talent, unfortunately, is hardly noticed. African American artists can be found only in a separate, smaller area of acceptance. The African Cultural Festival makes the artistic expressions of the Africans living in Europe and abroad more visible and dignified accordingly.
b. Integration and Race:
In recent years, we have received very positive and motivating feedback on our Festival and dialogue program which aims to promote understanding between Austrians and Africans living in Austria. Our concept is that cultural forms of expression, other intellectual achievements and African life practices be presented. Political integration, existing models from other European countries will be analyzed and politics and civil society stimulate interest among our visitors. Therefore, we ask whether Austria, as a cosmopolitan country could ever integrate African migrants into their police force.
c. Sympathy for development cooperation:
Through development co-operations, series of relationships between Africa and Austria, as well as Europe emerged. Although there are many who can partner different projects like (labor solidarity, cultural exchange, fair trade, social and environmental projects, school project in South Africa, women's work, etc.), which is at all critical distance, they represent is also a kind of role model. This is also for development co-operations to be strengthened. Media coverage of Africa should be improved. Instead of always poverty stereotype, there are many other good things about Africa to report.
The Africultprogramm is a forum for all those involved in the development of strategies to combat racism, constructive exchanges, confrontations with the political, economic, social and global issues are interested and participate in its execution. The festival program consists of two parts: dialogue and cultural program. The dialog program deals with lectures and discussions. They revolve around the relations between Austria and Europe, and Africa. These relationships (usually between states in the form of so-called bilateral agreements) from its many perspectives and in their complexity are considered, questioned and discussed. Above all alternatives should be sought as well as possible ways of solutions and improvement. The cultural program will present a rich cultural program of artists of African origin (both in Austria and also from abroad). In children's workshops, children have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with African traditions.
The African Cultural Promotion Prioritates are social problems such as labor and housing, laws and human rights, arts and culture, etc. Given the trends in immigration policy in the new Europe, and the fact that immigrant from Africa increasingly become a problem, or stylized as a threat or even as enemies to be eliminated, Africult team always helps out direct and inform migrants, and re-evaluate the positive aspects and benefits they can have. Together they explore possible strategies and ways to find how these advantages in the Austrian company and in Europe can be used. The team would therefore like to contribute to guiding immigrants to better international understanding and for a positive treatment in everyday interaction.
Logo
The two girls in the foreground of our Publications is the symbol of afriCult. Their jewelry, hairdo and clothing portray a part of African culture. The image is often misunderstood and used as a stereotype of poverty in the continent, but on closer inspection one can clearly see that the jewelry and clothing of the children in our logo are wholly traditional wear pertinent to a larger part of Africa. This image reflects only a small portion of the cultural diversity of Africa.
Public general questions
Who are the Sponsors of the Festival?
The Government, Companies and Individuals can be the sponsors. This is why your sponsorship is needed.
Why demand Entry Fees?
afriCult - African Cultural Festival has a very high expenditure such as renting of Hall/Land, Technical Equipment, Advertising, Payment of Artists, Payment of Workers, Communication costs etc. For all these, Entry fees are needed in the Festival.
Can the festival hold in the bad weather?
Yes. The festival holds in all weather.
afriCult Team in Co-operation with African Cultural Promotion Vienna wish good festival entertainment and constructive dialogue.