Ubuntu – Kilkenny ready to celebrate Africa Day
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Fun, food and friendship will be celebrated in Kilkenny with Africa Day, taking place this weekend.
Under the theme Ubuntu – “I am because we are”, the day will celebrate African culture, conversation and connection.
Events for the annual celebration of African culture will be held on The Parade, in Kilkenny City, from 1pm to 5pm. Everyone is invited to come along to taste the wonderful food and also learn about the links between the Irish and Africa culture.
The day will kick off with a drumming workshop for kids. There will also be live music and Afro dance to enjoy.
Attendees can expect performances from Nigeria (Harris Momodu from Stone & Jezreel), Malawi (Mada Cadilitso), Uganda (Jerome Kiyemba), Global Dance Club made up of dancers from around the world, the Somalian Dhaanto dancers and the Nigerian Community Kilkenny who will showcase different African cultures.
They will be joined, on the day, by guest speaker Slimane Lhocine from Algeria who explores the fascinating cultural and linguistic overlaps between Ireland and the Berber people from North Africa.
Make sure not to miss a chance to taste the delicious selection of Africuisine on offer. There will be samples of cooking from Somalia, Gambia, Nigeria and Uganda.
Africa Day is supported locally by the Local Authority Integration Team and Kilkenny County Council, and by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Africa Day is an international day that commemorates the foundation of the African Union and celebrates the people and culture of African countries.
In Ireland, the day is celebrated with events taking place in towns and cities around the country alongside the flagship Dublin event which takes place on Sunday, May 17, at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Over 10,000 people are expected to attend the event in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.