Cork County Council Announces Africa Day Programme
Cork County Council has announced its Africa Day programme, which will take place in the week leading up to Africa Day on Sunday 25th May. A range of free events and activities are planned in libraries and theatres across the county.
Africa Day is the annual worldwide celebration of the people, cultures, and potential of the African continent. Events in County Cork include concerts; shows of music, dance and storytelling; and African drumming workshops.
Announcing the programme, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll said,
Mayor
Africa Day is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate and participate in the diverse range of cultures from Africa. All 31 Local Authorities are taking part in the day, reflecting the contribution of culture and creativity from African countries across Ireland.
On Saturday the 17th of May, AHA Storytellers, a troupe from Carlow, will perform a special show of music, dance, and storytelling in Carrigaline Library. The nine performers, led by Jolly O’Rock, will share the diverse culture and folklore of Africa in a fun, interactive, and educational way. The event takes place from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. All are welcome and no booking is necessary.
Musician Kiruu will play a free concert on Tuesday the 20th of May at 8.00pm in Briery Gap, Macroom. Kiruu is a singer/guitarist/pianist whose music combines influences from his mixed cultural background of Ireland, the Mediterranean, and East Africa. Having spent his formative years in East Africa, Kiruu's music incorporates East African Rumba, Afro-beat, Bembe, and the Swahili language. Kiruu has performed at Electric Picnic, All Together Now, Culture Night, Africa Day, Bloom, Healing Hearth, Planet Rhythm, Fuinneamh, Ealu Le Grá, Body and Soul, and more. This is a free event, but booking is advised through the Briery Gap website
Patrick from African Drumming Ireland returns this year with his extremely popular workshops in Mitchelstown Library on Thursday the 22nd of May at 3pm and Newmarket Library on Friday the 23rd of May at 3pm. Booking is advised as spaces are limited for these free workshops. Mitchelstown Library can be contacted on (025) 41939 and Newmarket can be contacted on (029) 61090. Patrick will also be facilitating workshops in schools across North Cork.
Africa Day is supported by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The national programme was launched by Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, who said of the celebration, “I am honoured to help launch this fantastic event that celebrates the rich cultures of the African continent. Ireland has growing trade, political and cultural links across the continent of Africa. There is also a large Irish African community, who are making significant contributions to our society and economy in towns and villages throughout Ireland.”
Africa Day events nationwide will be listed at the link below.