The Afro festival takes place at the Museum of African Art in Belgrade from 30th June to 2nd July. This year, the Museum celebrates 40 years since the founding and 20 years of the Festival. The Museum organizes exhibitions and lectures, concerts, creative workshops, gathering African and local artists, experts in the field of African studies, students, connoisseurs of African arts and cultures.
The Museum of African Art was founded by Veda and dr Zdravko Pecar in 1977, who donated their valuable collection to Belgrade, after their diplomatic stay in Africa. This is the first and only museum in the region entirely dedicated to the cultures and arts of the African continent. According to specialists in the field, objects in the Belgrade Museum form a representative collection of African art. The Afro festival is an annual event that lasts several days, and this year`s jubilee edition of the festival brings diverse programmes we present to you.
"Nyimpa kor ndzidzi – One Man, no Chop: (Re)conceptualization of the Museum of African Art – the Veda and Dr. Zdravko Pecar Collection"
‟Contexts and Representations”, a series of talks at the Museum of African Art initiated in 2014, laid the theoretical foundation for the current exhibition and the publication produced for the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of this municipal cultural institution. The exhibition authors will introduce the historization and (re)conceptualization methodology, which was applied both in the exhibition and the book. Monograph presentation takes place on 30th June starting 18:00.
Durbar
The most important day of the Afro Festival is Durbar Day: Festival of Festivals – a day for friendship, music and dance. With the participation of the African embassies in Belgrade – in the pleasant exterior, the Museum garden – this day celebrates African music, dance, crafts, arts and cultures. With the kind support of the African Diplomatic community in Belgrade, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the culinary specialties from different parts of Africa: Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Guinea, Congo, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia. Guest of the Festival: the Consulate of Jamaica.
African bazaar
The African Bazaar is a popular Festival program that promotes visual and applied arts of the African continent. It is conceived as a sale exhibition of art and craft items: masks, sculptures in stone and wood, hand-made and painted fabrics, paintings, batik, jewelry and decorative items for interior decoration. A special part of the Bazaar consists of the works of local artists and craft makers, whose creations are inspired by Africa.
"Habari za Safari?" – Fourth MAA Art Competition exhibition
The Museum presents the most successful works of the participants of the Fourth MAA Art Competition organized for children and youth aged 6 - 18 years, from March to June 2017 on the theme „Habari za safari? How Was Your African Journey?” The drawings depict selected objects, various impressions of the Museum exhibitions and the imagined, exciting journeys through African cultures and landscapes. Several hundred children and young people took part in the Competition. Awards are given to the best young artists in three different age categories. Awards ceremony takes place on 2nd July at 11:00.
Salsa y Punto
Salsa y Punto is an international band consisting of musicians from Cuba and the local region, which plays an authentic blend of Afro-Latin musical genres. Bringing together experienced musicians, the band was formed in 2007 in Belgrade. The first studio album called "Baila Conmigo" was released in 2013. With their attractive sound and original mix of rhythms they gained popularity in the region of South East Europe. The band’s repertoire features salsa, Latin jazz, Afro-rumba, meringue, cha cha cha, bachata and traditional Afro-Cuban music. Salsa y Punto concert takes place on 2nd July at 15:00.
Tickets for the Afro Festival:
30th June free entry
1st July 200 dinars
2nd July 200 dinars
Tickets are available at the Museum box office. Entry is free for children under the age of 6.
