Africa Down Under
Cairn's expats celebration set to explode!
The tropical north has become a haven of peace and prosperity for many Africans. Having fled persecution, or those who have migrated with hopes of furthering personal and professional endeavours shall unite in hearts and hands during the Cairns African Festival on 28 May.
“We are a growing, ongoing event,” Association President Anna Wairimu Jones stated. “There has been a significant influx into our community of the years since the festival began – we aim to ensure that this is not merely a celebration of our culture, but that we offer ways to assist those entering this community and our region with integration.”
A cavalcade of inspiring local artists will share the stage headlining acts as the region’s growing African community embrace the wondrous nature of their cultural heritage and diversity. Matching with both Africa Day (25 May) and the International Day of the African Child (16 June), this festival’s theme has been dubbed The Year of Nutrition and the Day of the African Child.
This topic places insights into the eradication of hurtful measures affecting children, as well as highlighting food insecurity and poor nutrition. “We are doing this with the hope that we do not just draw attention to the importance of nutrition, but also education which we hope to send back overseas, to educate at the source of the issue,” President Jones concluded.
Bolstering the African community
Established in 2004 the Cairns African Association saw the arrival of some of the first of its countrymen into the region via a governmental philanthropic package.
Members of the aforementioned Association will not only be out in force exhibiting pride in their homeland, but also be offering African products and regional foods against a backdrop of exhilarating entertainment.
The CAA bolsters the local African community. So much so, that each and every way their unique heritage impacts, influences and injects itself into betterment of the region shall be calling to the clouds in high song with free drumming workshops, dazzling traditional food, crafts, and hair braiding stalls.
Musical entertainment
And if that’s not enough to put the rumble back in your jungle, Jack Manasi and The Afro Kick Band (Congo), a dynamic eight-piece gospel band based in Brisbane together with the Guinean master drummer and dancer, Epizo Bangoura are but a pair of the musical artistry on display, together with a fashion parade and performances by traditional Rwandan, Ethiopian and Congolese dancers along with present-day dance groups.
With gathered charities raising funds for support projects in Africa this event stands as Australia’s best chance to admire and explore the richness and splendour of this ancient culture which has found a little piece of the sunburnt country to call home.
The Cairns African Festival 2022 will be held at Fogarty Park, Saturday 28 May 2022,1pm to 8pm. (Gates Open 12:30pm)
Tickets available for:
- $28 adults | $22 concession ONLINE at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/891735
- At Gate - $30 adults $24 concession
- Kids 0-17 years FREE
- Free Kids African Drum Workshops – 24, 25, 26 May - 3:30pm to 5:00pm. School of Distance Education - Clarke Street, Manunda.
- Free Adult African Drumming Workshops - 28 May - 9am-10am & 11am-12pm at the Fogarty Park Main Stage.