Every year I am invited from South Afrika to be the Artistic Director. The festival is beautiful in that it brings together diverse audiences, creates unity in the Afrikan community of Norway and brings together artists, musicians, scholars, dancers, film makers and cultural workers from different genres, national backgrounds and expressions. And, you bet, the festival is of critical importance. Norway has an Afrikan community of about 50 000 people, and they are largely invisible in media, politics and the public sphere. Yet, there is such a wealth of talent in the community.
In May 2007 I helped the team in Norway to set off the 3rd annual AHW. The program included film screenings, a dance production, concerts, cultural events, seminars, workshops and an outdoor event. The festival is produced as a co-effort between different organizations and resource people in the Afrikan community. One of the artists this year, Umar Bin Hassan from The Last Poets, had been invited for three days, but refused to leave on his day of departure - he just enjoyed the festival too much and decided to stay in Oslo for another three days, on his own account! That is a great testimony to the worth, pride and greatness of AHW.
Feelin' de vibe: Audience at AHW "Chill & Grill" outdoor concert in the Sofienberg Park
Music from the future: Pops Mohamed (in centre, behind microphone) from South Afrika spent four weeks in Norway rehearsing with Afrikan musicians based in Oslo.
The Father of Afrocentrism: Dr. Molefi Kete Asante delivered a lecture on how to address issues of identity and culture in the workplace.
Rappers Delight: Hip-Hop artists Dirrty, STL (both based in Norway) and two members of Hip-Hop collective Kalamashaka (from Kenya) on the streets of Oslo.
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Sister Voice: Nomkhubulwane from South Afrika was one of the Artists in Residence and spent four weeks doing workshops and performances with artists in Oslo.
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