Fest Afrika will take place in Tampere from July 28 to August 2, celebrating African culture and music. Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. As in previous years, the festival program is diverse: this year it includes jazz, an African Market and dance workshops.
Jazz and storytelling
The festival opens on Tuesday, July 28 with Fest Afrika kick-off for the whole family at Kalevan Halli, a vibrant community space. There will be a chance to make instruments from recycled materials and join an open jam session, while enjoying the colours of a lush community garden. On Wednesday, July 29, Art House Niagara screens a documentary Silent Legacy which looks into questions of identity, migration and legacies of colonialisation. Thursday, July 30, Telakka lights up with a performance by the afro-jazz group Baraka Issabu Quintet, made up of Tanzanian and Finnish musicians. Baraka Issabu’s music is built on East African rhythmic concepts and song forms and expanded through jazz harmony and improvisation. The concert is part of the Jazz in Finland 100 Anniversary Year.
Friday, July 31, begins at Tampere Main Library Metso with a storytelling session for the whole family, where Gambian musician Yahya Sonko takes listeners on a journey into the world of African stories. Friday evening’s energetic rhythms are led by Guinean artist Fanta Yayo and her band. The charismatic Yayo brings traditional West African songs to the stage at Komediateatterin Palatsi, along with material from her album released last year. El Doxa, group of musicians from different parts of Nigeria coming together in Finland, brings on stage upbeat Nigerian Highife and other African classics with groove. Yayo will also host a dance workshop at Fest Afrika, where participants can learn Guinean dances accompanied by live drumming.
Saturday’s program in collaboration with Cultural Centre Nekalab
The African Market will be held at the newly opened Cultural Centre Nekalab on Saturday, August 1. The market is a free, family-friendly event and a vibrant meeting place for people interested in African cultures and community. Saturday evening’s concert at Nekalab includes West African music from Trio Mandeng and East African songs and dances by Cheza Ngoma. Saturday night concludes with an afroparty at Semafori.
Applications are now open for vendors, food stalls, and open stage performers for the African Market event. You can also sign up as a volunteer for the festival. Registration forms are available on the festival’s website soon.
See the program here. Note that the program will be updated, so stay tuned! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date!