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On August 26, Moscow hosted the International Festival of African Culture "AFROFEST". The main intention of the organizers - the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly and the House of Africa - is to expand the cultural horizons and destroy the stereotypes about the continent that have developed over the years. The idea of the Festival was supported by the Department of Culture of Moscow and the Kuzminki park.
In recent times, African countries have grown a lot both economically and politically, Andrey Belyaninov, Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly, said at the opening of the Festival.
“There is never too much Africa, and today at the Festival we feel like hosts and guests at the same time. Our guests feel the same way. The main thing is that we love and respect each other. Now is the time when our friends can help and have grown a lot economically and politically. And all together we have grown in terms of the joy of human interaction. Let's love our Earth, our values, keep our families - this is what the holy fathers of all confessions bequeathed to us,” - said the Secretary General of the Assembly.
Mr. Augusto da Silva Cunha, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Angola to the Russian Federation, spoke about strong friendly relations between Russia and Africa.
“The festival is another step that shows that we are friends and will always be close friends,” - Mr. Ambassador emphasized.
Residents and guests of the capital were introduced to the music and dance, cinema and fashion of Africa. Almost a dozen venues were opened in the park. More than one hundred and seventy artists, designers, and artists demonstrated their creativity. There were dancers’ and musicians’ performances. At the master class on African backgammon Awale guests was taught to play one of the oldest games in the world.
One of the most interesting events was the AFROFEST EXPO, prepared by diplomats from African countries. Here one could see products made in the traditional style, works of artists showing the uniqueness and originality of the nature of the African continent and the culture of the peoples living there.
Also, everyone who wished learn how to play the tom-tom drum and perform dances of the peoples of Guinea-Bissau, Cuba, Senegal, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire. And in the evening the guests were invited to a concert and a fashion show.
Major cultural events such as Afrofest provide an excellent opportunity for African peoples to showcase their culture and traditions, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the unique African spirit, said Gonçalves Simão Antonio Ripepeto, Deputy Military Attaché at the Angola Embassy in Russia.
Gonçalves, who visited AFROFEST along with many Africans who want to showcase their culture, Russians and other citizens interested in Africa, its history and traditions, shared his impressions of the event, emphasizing its educational value.
“This event is a very important opportunity for us to share with those who are going to visit Africa, to share our culture, to let the world know that Africa is rich in cultures,” said Gonçalves.
He stressed, that there are a number of great cultures in Africa. In this regard, he added, it is important to promote these cultures and thereby emphasize the concept of multiculturalism in building a multilateral global architecture.
Gonçalves also noted that the best way to promote African culture is to organize these kinds of events where Africans can showcase their culture by bringing some typical food, costumes and traditional clothes with them, thereby demonstrating “their beliefs, their spirit and their way of life.”
The fact that the Festival is aimed primarily at uniting peoples was said by Serge Phocas Odunlami, Head of the Department of African countries of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly, president of the House of Africa. He also said that next year AFROFEST will be held in a new format.
Speaking about the promotion and protection of African culture, Mark Sodomon, a graduate student at the Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (MGSU), a university lecturer, emphasized the need to respect all world cultures, and to pass on one's culture from generation to generation.
According to Sodomon, a Beninese who has been studying in Russia for four years, it is important to pass on African cultural values and history "from father to son" so that people can appreciate and understand the continent's diverse cultures.
“In Africa, every people, every country has its own culture, and we respect this culture. We want everyone in the world to respect the culture of each country. We cannot impose culture on a country and say, "You must live like us," - Sodomon said.
Expressing his view on the place of African culture in the modern world, Sodomon explained that culture is the image of any people and nation, something that identifies and differentiates them. Therefore, for Africans, their culture and the issue of its preservation are of particular importance.
“African culture is highly valued around the world today, and we are proud to be the bearers of this culture voices and to be able to transmit this culture, to share it with other people,” - he said.
