The University of Aberdeen will dance to an African beat with drumming, music, fashion, food and a host of other special events for a month-long celebration of the continent.
On Saturday (February 20) the University’s Shared Planet Society, in cooperation with the Amnesty International Soc and Environment and Ethics Committee, will launch Explore:Africa, which aims to bring together students, staff and the wider public for a celebration of African culture.
Explore:Africawill run until March 20 and will include diverse activities ranging from African art and architecture to dance, music, fashion shows, debates and special lectures.
It gets underway at 11am on Saturday with a day of workshops where participants can learn the beats of Africa through djembe drumming, limber up with traditional dancing from West Africa and gain a taste of the continent with a food workshop.
The first week will continue on Monday (February 22) with a special screening of the film Bamako, followed by a panel debate on the current political situation in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, Moroccan fairy tales on Wednesday, and finishing with a journey through African art and architecture on Thursday.
Highlights in weeks two, three and four will include a performance by Zawadi African Women Choir in King’s College Chapel on March 6, an Amnesty letter writing session for Congo on March 10, Somali poetry exploring life between war and piracy on March 17 and an African music night and fashion show on March 20.
Ela Suleymangil, a committee member of the Shared Planet Society, said: “We hear a lot about Africa through the media and with the north-east’s connections to the continent through the oil industry, but many of us know little about its rich and diverse culture.
“Through Explore:Africa we hope to bring a flavour of the continent to Aberdeen.
“The events are open to students, staff and the general public so it will also provide an opportunity for the whole community to come together and enjoy the wide selection of special events taking place throughout the month.”
For full details of the programme visit www.abdn.ac.uk/~src167/Explore%20Africa.htm