UNESCO DAY AND AFRICA WEEK CELEBRATION  2009  

The African Voices Forum (AVF) in partnership with the Bristol Legacy Commission is commemorating the UNESCO Slavery Remembrance day with a week-long event –UNESCO Day and Africa Week (15-23 August 2009) with the theme Celebrating African Diaspora Cultural Diversity.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognises August 23 as International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its abolition in commemoration of the San Domingo (modern Haiti and the Dominican Republic) revolt on that day in 1791, which marked the first decisive victory of slaves against their oppressors. The revolt was crucial in the fight against slavery. UNESCO chose this date as a reminder that enslaved Africans were the main agents of their own liberation. AVF is very excited about using this Celebration to demonstrate the power of freedom in the context of the abolition of the slave trade and global justice.

“For too long Africa has existed in people’s minds as a place of poverty, drought, strife or a place to flee. The images of Africa available in the UK are negative and there is no place for the positive sides of African life; this week long event provides us with the opportunity not only to remember how our fore fathers resisted slavery but also to celebrate our African cultural diversity with arts, dance, music and fashion that reflect  a people’s Africa –not a media image Africa”, said AVF Secretary General Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, a research fellow at the University of the West of England

The event will commence with a special performance by internationally acclaimed East African Band  from Kenya  led by Orchestra Virunga and Samba Mapangala hosted by the St Georges at the Bristol Zoo on the 15th of August 2009. This will be followed with Funding Surgeries for all registered African Voices Forum Members at the Pireian Centre on Wednesday the 19th of August between 5 and 7 pm

On the 21st of August the event will be officially launched at SPIKE ISLAND 133 Cumberland Road Bristol BS1 6UX starting at 5:30 pm with excluisive VIP viewing of African Arts exhibition hosted by the Gloarts and women world or HYPE OR..? This will be immediately followed by a special film ‘Tides of Gold’ at the Watershed hosted by Africa Eye starting 7:30. Other  highlights of the celebration are : Food feast and Young People Entertainment hosted by AVF, and an interactive Debate hosted by the Africans In One on the 22nd of August 2009 at the Malcolm X Centre 141 City Road Bristol BS2 8YH.

The week long event will climax with a CULTURAL BONANZA hosted by AVF on Sunday 23rd  August which will see the all round estetic display of the rich cultural diversity of African and African Carribeans featuring national cultural performances, Bristol Dancing Fussion Dancers, Afrika Jambo Band with his electric Girls Dancers and exotic traditional Dancers, catwalk show and the selection of African Queen and African King in the Diaspora at the new Colston Hall in Bristol. The Keynote addresss will be delivered by Edmond Moukala, Programme Specialist, UNESCO Routes to Slavery Project, Paris. Other speakers will include Leader of the Council, the Lord Mayor of Bristol, MP for Bristol West, chair of the Bristol Legacy Commission and chair of AVF 

 “The Bristol Legacy Commission is very happy to give our support to the event highlighting Bristol diversity in particlar young people from Ethnic Minorities striving to make Bristol their home”,  said Paul Stephenson  (OBE) Chair Bristol Legacy Commission.

African Voices Forum (AVF) is a developing forum of African and African-Caribbean organizations in Bristol.  Its aim is to provide support ranging from research, social networking,  knowledge and information exchange, bid writing, project management, monitoring , evaluation to consultancy to African and African-Caribbean national community associations and organizations, as well as other community interest organizations working to empower African and African-Caribbean communities, and promote community cohesion.   AVF Chair Dr Solomon Fubara, who is also Managing Director of CEED Charity, said: “Our member organisations will get the opportunity to work alongside more established organisations, networking together and sharing experiences. This will showcase the benefits of AVF and provide an impetus to developing it further as an organisation representing African Diasporas”  

For more information on this Event please contact Billy Odumuzor Event Consultant on billyodumuzor@yahoo.co.uk or  admin@africanvoicesforum.org or call 01179248572/07818418668