TRADITIONAL MUSIC

The party on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Africa Festival is already history. More top-class guests could not have been wished for: Youssou N'Dour, Angelique Kidjo, Manu Dibango, Alpha Blondy, Hugh Masekela, and many others came to celebrate the party in Würzburg. However, there are still STARS of African music who have never been to Würzburg. Some of them will be invited to the 21st Africa Festival.

Another focus of the next festival will be the TRADITIONAL MUSIC and culture of different African peoples under threat for various reasons. The Congo PYGMIES, the BUSH PEOPLE from southern Africa, and the SURMA people, who live in south-western Ethiopia, will be presented by means of films, exhibitions, and music.

With 1.5 million visitors so far the Africa Festival is the BIGGEST FESTIVAL for African music and culture IN EUROPE. In addition to several CONCERTS on three stages, there will again be a colourful BAZAAR with objects of art and articles of daily use, African food and drinks, an ARTISANS' FAIR, a comprehensive CHILDREN'S PROGRAMME, a late night programme with several DJs, EXHIBITIONS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, and an interesting FILM PROGRAMME. The HAVANA CLUB will open again for all friends of Caribbean music.

The festival is hosted by AFRO PROJECT e.V., musikalische Entwicklungshilfe für Deutschland (Musical Development Aid for Germany), and the City of Würzburg in cooperation with the German Ministry for Foreign Affairs, s. Oliver, the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (Federal Agency for Civic Education), Daimler, Mercedes Benz Würzburg, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für technische Zusammenarbeit (Association for Technical Cooperation, GTZ). It is supported by the Bavarian State Ministry of Sciences, Research and the Arts and by Bureau Export.

• article submitted by: Dr. Stefan Oschmann, Africa Festival