I have traveled across Alberta for years, but have not seen any festival but Africanival, that celebrates the beautiful and diverse cultures of the people of African descent. This is because you all have supported and made sure you come out to support, inviting thousands of community members, families, and friends. You have volunteered, showcased your entrepreneurial spirit, and talents. As a result, we have built the only event in Alberta that celebrates the beautiful cultures of the people of African descent, what a great platform. Even more flattering is when we get asked if we are going to be doing Africanival in Calgary or Winnipeg or other cities, or get calls from across Canada from people who want to get involved. Not to say we will not support those who want to plant similar seeds in other cities, but for now we are focused on Africanival 2019.
Since its lunched in 2017, Africanival has become a launch pad for dreams.
There is no better way to share these dreams than the growth of businesses on the street of Edmonton that started at Africanival and now thriving, such as; Smoothie Basics, Sunset Reggae, and most recently, Mumbai Dakar, and AB Safari. It is heart warming to see young artists making the photos they took at Africanival during their performance in front of thousands of people, their cover photo, and some recommended by Africanival to perform at other events and in cities across the province. What a fantastic opportunity to get on Africanival stage to showcase your awesome talents and or culture!
If you do not know where you are coming from, you certainly will not know where you are going.
This year, Africanival 2019 is built around you and your culture, for you, and by you. So how and why should you share your culture and be proud of it? The first step is to do a video clip of an invitation to Africanival in your native language for us to share on Africanival Facebook Page, such that your children, your family, your friends, Edmonton, Alberta, and Canada will get to know about your language, and appreciate it, as well as, your children will start learning it too. So far we have made 15 videos in 15 languages and dialects, and have been sharing one a day on Africanival’s Facebook Page. We have made videos in French, Swahili, Lingala, Shona, Twi, Somali, Amharic, Arabic, different versions of broken English, Patois, Creole, and will welcome anyone who want to share their fantastic culture with the world through language.
Instead of complaining about not being hired, it’s better to start building businesses and hire yourself and others.
Entrepreneurship is at the centre of Africanival as it provides businesses the opportunities to sell, promote and engage to an estimated 15,000 people in one place that they will otherwise not meet. Organizations that cannot setup a booth at Africanival can as well place their signs, banners, and posters in the event site to be seen by thousands as they come by and leave. Videos of different vendors will also be shard, reaching out to even thousands more. To be kick started with a colourful parade in flags of African and Caribbean nations, Africanival 2019 will be animated by a busy kids Corner with a bouncy castle, a bubbling Africa arts and craft market, a refreshing Beer Garden, over 30 cultural performances, and a lineup of delicious dishes will spice up the three days event that will start with a poetry night on day one.
Over 30 different cultural dishes will be presented by the food vendors from any interested community as other communities take to the stage to share some wonderful cultural performances. To add a sparkle of diversity, and connection with other communities, cultures from all over the world will be invited for a dance competition with the three top winners getting prizes.
Sharing your beautiful culture with everyone builds a sense of pride, dignity, and confidence in yourself, passed on to your kids, and generations to come. A sense of belonging is what kids need as they grow up, do not hesitate to give it to them at Africanival 2019. Join us this July 12 -14, to celebrate and share your beautiful culture through this exciting made in Edmonton Africanival 2019 to be celebrated at 10581 107 St. Edmonton, Alberta.
