On this Saturday, May 14th., Donegal County Council and Donegal Intercultural Platform will jointly present an Africa Day celebration at the Regional Cultural Centre and An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny.
All events are FREE of Charge and all are invited to attend and enjoy.
Exhibitions and Talks
The celebration opens at 11.00am with a series of exhibitions, discussions and creative writing workshops, taking place at the Regional Cultural Centre and An Grianán Theatre. The Women On The Front Line of Climate Change photographic exhibition at the Regional Cultural Centre, in association with the Changemakers group, will include a discussion and eye witness accounts of the impacts of the climate crisis on Africa. Similarly, at An Grianán Theatre (Upstairs Foyer), Balume Amstrong Dube will host and facilitate a gathering of African writers and fans of African writing, from 11.00am.
Family Fun Day
The afternoon will see a colourful Family Fun Day taking over the An Grianán Theatre Plaza from 1.30pm to 6.00pm, with FREE African food tasting – courtesy of Chef Lara and Burrito Loco restaurant – Childrens Games, traditional and contemporary Dance displays and workshops, Arts and Crafts, Face Painting, Hair Braiding and Henna Tatoos, as well as Music from all corners of Africa with DJ Thabo and the wonderful Nigerian-Irish ensemble, Adeniyi Allen-Taylor’s Afrobeat Orchestra.
Film Screening
The celebration concludes with a special showing, free of charge, of the award-winning film, A Girl From Mogadishu (15A), at the Regional Cultural Centre at 6.30pm. Based on the true story of Somali woman Ifrah Ahmed, the film is an Irish/Belgian production with a truly international cast of actors from Africa, the US and Ireland, including Aja Naomi King (as Ifrah), acclaimed Somali singer and actress Maryam Mursal, Barkhad Abdi and Martha Canga Antonio, with Irish actors Orla Brady, Stanley Townsend and Niall Buggy (as President Michael D. Higgins).
Funding & Minister’s Welcome
This Donegal Africa Day celebration is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Irish Aid and Donegal County Council.
Minister for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy TD, said: “Ireland has been enriched in so many ways by the presence of a vibrant African community. Ireland’s arts, culture, business, community development, sport and so much more have been strengthened by people of African origin or descent. Africa Day is about recognising that contribution and celebrating the culture and potential of the continent as a whole.
“After two years of online events, this year will see the welcome return of in-person events nationwide. Irish Aid’s partnership with local authorities will bring the fun of Africa Day to communities around the country. I am delighted that Africa Day 2022 is set to be our biggest-ever Africa Day celebration.”
