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UNESCO Africa Week to focus on youth
Investing in the youth of Africa is the theme of the 2017 edition of UNESCO’s Africa Week, which will be held at the Organization’s Headquarters from 22 to 24 May under the patronage of Alain Claude Billie-By-Nze, Gabon’s Minister of the Digital Economy, Communication, Culture and the Arts.
The event featuring concerts, film screenings, exhibitions and round table debates is organized by the group of African Member States of UNESCO under the chair of Mozambique.
The three-day celebration of African culture will include fashion shows by young designers Diana Magesa from Tanzania and Tatenda Sipula from South Africa on 22 May at 4 pm in Hall Ségur. Fine leather craft will be on display in a workshop organized by the Maison Andridz of Madagascar on 23 May at 2.30 pm in the Miró Room, where it will be followed by a recital of traditional African stories by Fouma Traoré of Burkina Faso at 3.30 pm.
A children’s programme featuring drums, dance and masks is scheduled for 24 May at 10 am at Ségur Hall, where Patricia Essong of Cameroon will give a concert at 4pm.
Roundtable debates on the role and prospects of Africa’s youth will be held on 23 and 24 May in Room IV with the participation of academics, entrepreneurs and representatives of both government and civil society.
Swirl in Bamako, a feature film directed by Dominique Philippe will be screened on 23 May at 6 pm in Room IV.
From 22 to 24 May the young Congolese chef Dieuveil Malonga will take command of UNESCO’s restaurant which will serve his creative interpretation of African gastronomy.
Africa Week is held every year to showcase Africa through the wealth of its cultural and artistic heritage. It marks the anniversary of the establishment on 25 May 1963 of the Organisation of African Unity, which became the African Union in July 2002.
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Journalists wishing to cover the event should request accreditation from Djibril Kébé, UNESCO Press Service, +33 (0) 1 45 68 17 41, d.kebe@unesco.org
