The Chief Executive Officer Signal Media Links, Asiwaju Olasunkanmi Olanrewaju said that the hosting of the annual All African Festival in the United States is a platform which helped Africans in the diaspora to promote their unique cultural heritage while also supporting their children to appreciate the pride of their black root.
Asiwaju Olanrewaju said that he decided to create an international festival to showcase genuine and indigenous African rich culture other than some copycats and non-indigenous moves some are trying to dub African culture.
The cultural ambassador from Ibadan, Oyo State and alumnus of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State said that the maiden international festival held recently in the US holds an auspicious future as the participants were thrilled to various African electrifying performances, dances, cuisines, displays by the masquerade (Egungun) among other captivating performances.
Speaking during the festival, Olanrewaju in a statement said with the continuous increment in the population of the African immigrants in the United States of America, it is very important we develop a project like this, to remind ourselves of where we came from and provide our children with a glimpse of their ancestral roots, beyond what they are reading on the internet.
“This would serve as a mirror of reflection on our indigenous socio-cultural values and uniqueness, and also orientate and imbibe in our kids the importance of mastering their history and knowing the true story of their origin.
“We have various and related African cultural events in the United States, but what makes All African Festival unique, is the genuine and Indigenous showcase of African artefacts and working with all African departments to make it inclusive and the interactive session with our children is very significant to the project.
“While I was in NBC media school in the USA, I was opportune to witness different African events across the country and I found out that most of these events and festivals are not indigenous as titled.
“However, the All African Festival is here, to work with all African communities or groups, in showcasing, and continuously promoting our socio-cultural heritage value, by re-affirming to the global community, that African culture is the best in the world.
“It would also serve, as an opportunity for the African immigrants and US-born alike – to come together, share their experiences, and support each other year after year.
“This maiden edition allowed the African children to demonstrate their talent in music, dance, art and crafts as a means of “stepping into the future, dismissing racial barriers” that hold them back in the reality of race relations in the United States.
“Lastly, we believe that the All African Festival 2025 would be bigger, greater and better, as we intend to work with various reputable private and government cultural departments, to make it more reality”.
For more information on All African Festival, visit their website at: https://allafricanfestivalusa.africa
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