FolkWorld #78 07/2022
© Sarah Stumpf / Africa Festival

Article in German

Four Exhilarating Days

"We should emphasise cohesion and above all remain human!" This important sentence by Claudia Roth was still echoing in the minds of the audience days after her passionate speech. The 33rd International Africa Festival was all about "Strong Women in African Music". Heroines with warm sounds, great beats, authentic lyrics and above all a lot of feeling. A multi-layered programme in the best weather that offered something for everyone - young and old alike.

Africa Festival

33rd Africa Festival Würzburg

26-29 May 2022


Artist Video Africa Festival @ FROG

www.africafestival.org

After years of austerity, we were already able to inspire our audience with a smaller festival last year. Building on our experiences, we have adjusted the scope again this year. Since our planning begins in the autumn of the previous year, we always have to calculate and weigh up all the uncertainties - which makes us all the more grateful that you have remained loyal to us in 2022. We are very happy that our fears that due to the omnicon wave we might lack the courage to go to a festival with many people have not been confirmed.

Admittedly, we were overwhelmed by the long queues both at the entrance and at the drinks and food stands on the first day. We are happy that we managed to reduce the queues on the second day by optimising procedures once again. We are happy about the joy that the visitors always bring with them, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

New this year is also our stage arrangement - the New Open Stage now allows for the first time a 180 degree experience for the whole audience. Our models, artists and musicians felt the warmth of the visitors, especially for the children the possibility to be on stage together with our storyteller Ibu and the ADESA participatory concert was a particularly nice experience. After the cancellation of DJ Mista Wallizz from Senegal due to illness, we were able to win DJ Modjo from Gambia for us and together with DJ Hi John, DJ Ukai and DJ Freegah we were able to heat up the crowd.

The more than 60 bazaar stalls again offered a diverse range of colours, shapes and materials, as well as varied food stalls from the different regions of Africa.

We were also delighted by the open-air cinema programme of ARTE with films such as Senegeal: Ladies' Turn, When I open my eyes and Girlhood, which once again put strong women in the spotlight. Three of the "Generation Africa" films also premiered at the festival and will be available in the ARTE Mediathek from 10 June.

This year, 28,269 paying visitors came to the festival until Sunday evening (children under 12 not included). We are very much looking forward to the 34th International Africa Festival from 26 - 29 May 2023.


Angelique Kidjo

Lura

Awa Ly

Amira Kheir

Habib Koité

Marema



Photo Credits: (1) Africa Festival Würzburg, (2) Angelique Kidjo, (3) Lura, (4) Awa Ly, (5) Amira Kheir, (6) Habib Koité, (7) Marema (unknown/website).


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