On September 20th, 2023, the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) and the organizers of the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC AFRICA) signed a cooperation agreement; the aim is to reinforce the success of FESTAC AFRICA festival in the years to come.
FESTAC is the world’s largest Pan-African festival. Created in 1966 in Dakar, then in Nigeria in 1977, it has since brought together the greatest personalities of the Black world, including President Senghor, President Obasanjo, Cheikh Anta Diop, Miriam Makeba, James Baldwin, Aimé Césaire, Wole Soyinka, Gilberto Gil, Frantz Fanon, Stevie Wonder, President Hussein Mwinyi, PLO Lumumba and many others.
The second edition of the festival in Lagos, Nigeria (1977) remains the standard to beat for any event by/for African people. The first two editions lasted a whole month, attracting over 16,000 participants and almost 30 heads of state from approximately 70 countries.
Under the terms of the cooperation agreement, SOAD will help the FESTAC AFRICA organizers to contact guests, put together the program, seek funding, and work on greater participation of Africans globally.
Furthermore, both parties agreed that if one of the countries of the Diaspora is a candidate and meets the necessary criterias to organise such an event, in the coming years, FESTAC AFRICA will happen in this member country of the African Diaspora.
When asked about this cooperation, the Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora declared:
« FESTAC AFRICA is a legendary festival. There’s no other word for it. That’s why I would like to thank the organizers for considering the idea that FESTAC AFRICA may happen in the Diaspora in the coming years, because that is what Pan-Africanism is all about, when Africans from the continent and the Diaspora can work hand in hand. As the State of African Diaspora, we pledge ourselves to do everything in our power to ensure that future editions are historic successes. »
For his part, Engr. Yinka Abioye, the Chairman of FESTAC, declared:
“Bringing Africans together annually after the success and impact of “FESTAC77” on TOGERTHERNESS, PRIDE & PAN-AFRICANISM is an exercise that should not be taken lightly. The world still enjoys the legacy and positivity left over 4 decades ago. Our commitment is to be sure that, come rain or shine, the festival happens annually during Africa month (May), and during the last week of the month to celebrate and highlight Africa Day. The festival has been curated to include the youth, sports, intra-Africa trade, diaspora investment, climate change initiatives, and other pertinent topics to our daily lives. We appreciate the efforts and partnership with SOAD to make this bigger from year to year.”
Source: State News
.https://thestateofafricandiaspora.com/
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