Irish Aid to host major festival to celebrate Africa Day in Ireland
Irish Aid has announced its intention to host a major festival-style event to mark Africa Day on Sunday, 25th May 2008. The event will take place in the gardens of Dublin Castle, and will celebrate African culture through music, film, food, art and literature.
Africa Day @ Dublin Castle is just one of over 50 Irish Aid-funded events that will take place throughout communities in Ireland to mark Africa Day 2008. Most events, including Dublin Castle, will be free of change and are designed to attract both African and Irish people of all ages.
Africa Day is celebrated internationally and falls on 25th May each year. Speaking ahead of this years’ festivities the Minister of State for Overseas Development, Michael Kitt TD said:
“This is a great opportunity to celebrate African diversity and success, and to highlight the cultural and economic potential that exists on the continent of Africa. Irish Aid’s support represents the implementation of a commitment in the White Paper on Irish Aid to promote Africa Day in Ireland.”
Africa Day @ Dublin Castle will recreate the atmosphere of an African village and will showcase various African countries, their customs and traditions. There will also be sporting activities; a cultural corner; African film and photography; entertainers and a picnic area.
The main stage will feature an exciting line-up of leading Irish and African entertainers throughout the day, including: Mundy; a very special guest appearance from Sinéad O Connor and Republic of Loose with The Discovery Gospel Choir; Motema; Congomania; Kíla; Ugandan traditional dance and fashion show and much more.
Former Republic of Ireland football manager, Brian Kerr, will be on hand - together with SARI - to oversee soccer games at the event. Other sporting activities will include ‘Extreme Trampoline’ and netball tournaments.
Other Irish Aid-funded events to celebrate Africa Day will
include:
• Live music and dance showcasing the rhythms and instruments
of Africa
• African Film Festivals at the IFI in Dublin and the Town
Hall Theatre in Galway
• Africa Day community events across the country
• ‘Light of Africa’ projections in Dublin City Centre
Full details of the programme of Africa Day will be announced in May. Meanwhile, further information is available from www.irishaid.gov.ie/africaday
Further information on Africa Day @ Dublin Castle is available from Catherine Heaney, DHR Communications @ 01-488 5808 or 087-2309835
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Press
1/5/08
