This year’s two-day Afro festival ended on Sunday, June 27.
Photo by Jelena Janković
Visitors of the Museum of African Art in Belgrade had the opportunity to enjoy the rich cultural and artistic program of African countries, taste various traditional dishes of this exotic continent, dance to the rhythm of Afro-beats, visit numerous stands with art and crafts of Africa and participate in a large number of creative workshops for children and adults in the building of this museum in Senjak and at the outdoor fair in the museum garden.
The management of the Museum and numerous festival partners are very happy with the great festival atmosphere and the large number of visitors, especially considering that the Afro Festival is one of the first city festivals that were organized in the end of June 2021, despite numerous challenges, after “life returned to the city” and with implementation of anti-epidemic measures.
In two days, a large number of visitors from Belgrade, region and abroad, diplomats working in Belgrade and numerous lovers of African art and culture passed through the garden and the Museum building. During the whole weekend, one could also enjoy the sounds of djembe, participate in competitions in the board game of mankala, dance capoeira, participate in children’s literary and art workshops and public guided tours through the Museum of African Art in Serbian and English.
The second day of the Afro Festival was traditionally marked by Durbar – Friendship Day – presentations of African embassies in Belgrade – Algeria, Angola, Guinea, Egypt, Congo, Morocco, Tunisia and Namibia – who presented the beauties of their countries at their richly and variously decorated stands with culinary specialties and a rich offer of African crafts and souvenirs.
On the same day, the ceremonial opening of the Afro festival was held, during which the audience was addressed by the Dean of African ambassadors, H.E. Abdelhamid Chebchoub, Ambassador of Algeria to Serbia and Director of MAU Marija Aleksić.
It was pointed out that the Afro Festival is a key gathering place for the African community in Belgrade and that African countries will continue to enrich the museum’s art collection and support the work of the only institution of its kind in the world based in a country that did not participate in the atrocious and inhumane act and the colonization of the African continent.
“The Museum of African Art in Belgrade is a symbol of the friendship between Africa and Serbia and it is our duty to preserve it,” said Ambassador Chebchoub.
Director Aleksić thanked all African embassies that support this festival for years, her team at the Museum and festival visitors who confirm its importance and love for Africa.
She emphasized that Afro Festival is the most important annual event of the Museum of African Art and announced that the Museum is planning its twenty-fourth edition in June 2022, with more diverse music and art programs and contents.
* All photos taken by Jelena Janković (all publishing rights are at the disposal of MAU)