June 12-14
The Afro Festival is a cultural event that is annually held at the Museum of African Art in Belgrade. The Festival emphasises cultural diversity and the presentation of cultural heritage as a way of promoting multiculturalism in today's world. With the participation of lecturers and experts in the field of African studies, as well as African and local artists, students and friends of the museum, the Museum organises exhibitions and lectures, music and art workshops, concerts, and public guided tours through the permanent display and thematic exhibitions.
The first day of the Afro Festival is reserved for exclusive and experimental Museum programs. The event of the evening will be the ambitious musical performance: “Hospital of Immaculate Conception” inspired by the verses of the great poet Arthur Rimbaud and his “African” period. It is our pleasure that on the second day of the Festival we will have the opportunity to hear about “The History of African Theatre” through the lecture presented by Lawrence Kiiru (Kenya/Croatia), and also host the book promotion “Bantustan”. On the last day, Durbar Day: Festival of Festivals, the African embassies in Belgrade will present their cultures through arts, crafts and culinary specialities. Also, a not-to-miss event on Sunday: the Igor Vince and his Drums, Brass & Keys concert!
Plan to spend three days at the Museum and check out our other programs – they will be excellent: workshops for children, student guided tours, talks, music programs, African bazaar, mural painting...
Friday, June 12
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Friday, June 12
15h
OPEN AIR ATTELIER:
MURAL PAINTING ON THE MAA’S FACADE*free entrance
Professor Radomir Knežević Knez and senior curator Nataša Njegovanović Ristić will guide students from the Faculty of Arts through the process of applying the mural painting technique on the outer walls of the Museum of African Art building. Art students: Nataša Janković, Vasilisa Belošević, Jovana Stojanac, Maja Gajić, Goran Simjanovski and Matija Marković will paint a mural based on the traditional motifs of the Basotho people from South Africa. The workshop is part of the current exhibition “Traditional African Murals” additional programs.
17h
CONTEXTS AND REPRESENTATIONS
Lecture: “Digital Imprint of the MAA’s Permanent Display”*free entrance
Specialists from the Central Institute for Conservation will present some of the current methods in recording museum spaces, particularly the use of laser technology for creating a “digital imprint” of the Museum’s permanent display.
Lecturers: Ivana Vasilijević (architectural engineer / MA in cultural monuments conservation), Marko Aleksić (architectural engineer) and C&R program author PhD Ana Sladojević (art theoretician)
20h
THE HOSPITAL OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Dramatic piece directed by Aleksandar Maričić*entrance: 400 RSD
The Hospital of Immaculate Conception is a dramatic piece based on Rimbaud’s verses. The play of hallucination and reality, light and shadow, moving through unusual places, from the Parisian prison to the Dankil desert, the Museum presents a multimedia performance about the “African moment” in the life of the great French poet Arthur Rimbaud.
Directed by: Aleksandar Maričić. Roles: Zoltan Pletl, Ana Kostovska, Nemanja Rašović. Costume: Marija Jelesijević. Scenography: Livija Mikić. Music: Nenad Jevzić, Mihajlo Jovanović
21:30h
AFTERPARTY: DJ Dunduew*free entrance
Saturday, June 13
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Saturday, June 13
**all-day ticket: 100 RSD
10-18h
AFRICAN BAZAARThe African Bazaar is a popular event of the Museum of African Art. This sale exhibition promotes the arts and crafts from the African continent and the fine arts inspired by it: masks, sculptures in stone and wood, hand-made and painted fabrics, paintings, batiks, jewellery and decorative household items.
10-18h
CHILDREN'S ART EXHIBITIONSPresenting the artworks created by children at art workshops held at the Museum of African Art from the beginning of this year. African Homes – Colours and Paintings exhibits the art of more than 500 children aged 6-14 from numerous pre-schools and primary schools that participated in the MAA’s 2nd Art Competition. The African Murals: Playful Walls exhibition presents the works of children that were part of the Sunday at the Museum program. Finally, the Sculpture of the Senufo People as Inspiration exhibition will display clay bird figures made by individual children and group participants.
11h
PRACTICUM: Student guided tours through the permanent exhibition
“Anthropomorphic Motifs at the MAA’s Permanent Display”
MARIJA MARIĆ, Undergraduate student in Art History11-17h
ART WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN- “Shapes in Clay... a crocodile on the wall?!”
The home across Africa often had decorations made in clay so it was possible to come across crocodiles, lizards, cows or snakes! This workshop will tell you something about the importance and symbolism of these animals in traditional African culture, show you techniques of treating and shaping clay, and how to make an animal figure in low relief. The workshop is led by Milica Josimov, sculptor. Duration: 11-14h- “Anansi the Trickster and his Adventures”
Join us in a storytelling session telling the stories from Ghana about Anansi the spider and his adventures, mischief and wit. Through these stories we will learn about social values such as justice and solidarity, and valuable traits such as resourcefulness, courage and diligence. We would like you to draw your own picture based on the stories you have heard. The workshop is led by our special guest, Museum friend and collaborator Ema Ashantide (Ghana/Serbia) and artist Milica Marinković. Duration: 11-14h- “Mini models for African Murals”
Rounded or square, with flat or cone shaped roofs, but always decorated with murals – this is what an African traditional house looks like. Children will use recyclable materials to make mini-model houses and then decorate them with paints, collage and mosaics. The workshop is led by Marija Ličina, MAA curator. Duration: 14-17h- “Dress an African House”
We will present an array of decoration used to adorn the outer walls of homes across Africa. Children are invited to paint a large-scale textile in the Gurunsi Style and using Ndbele Patterns. The workshops are led by artist Milica Marinković and Milica Josimov. Duration: 14-17h12h
PRACTICUM: Student guided tours through the permanent exhibition
“Nature and Cosmogony in the Sculpture of West African Peoples”
MARKO RAKOČEVIĆ, Pedagogy student12-18h
MANCALA
Learning and playing the African board game.Mancala is a cognitive board game and different versions can be found across four continents: Africa, Asia, South and North America. It takes two to play mancala, a board, counters and the game can begin. The rules are simple however it takes time and dedication to become a master mancala player. Come and learn the rules and try-out this ancient board game at the Afro Festival 2015.
13h
PRACTICUM: Student guided tours through the permanent exhibition
“The Museum as Exhibit-Piece: The Historical Context of the Museum Of African Art's Formation”
DRAGANA BREBERINA, MA History student14h
PRACTICUM: Student guided tours through the permanent exhibition
“The Birth of Life – Fertility Symbols among the Peoples of West Africa”
ANA DAJIĆ, MA Ethnology and Anthropology student15h
PRACTICUM: Student guided tours through the permanent exhibition
“The Man who Creates – the Role of the Artist/Craftsman in the Traditional West African Community”
IVA KIJEVČANIN, Art History student16h
BANTUSTAN: RETURN TO AFRICA!
Book promotion of the travel-novel / illustrated atlas about the three-month long journey through Africa
Authors: Lazar Pašćanović, Uroš Krčadinac, Marko ĐedovićAfter a year of deliberation Marko Đedović, Uroš Krčadinac and Lazar Pašćanović decided to make their way to Africa. Three friends, otherwise editors of the Travellers’Club web-site, journeyed the continent from north to south, regardless of means of transportation, sleeping-over wherever they could. The book “Bantustan” was born from a series of texts about this three-month long journey. First published on the web-site, these texts were transformed into a book about places and people these three travellers met along the way.
Guests of the talk: Uroš Krčadinac and Lazar Pašćanović
Talk moderator: Emilia Epštajn, MAA curator17h
TRADITIONAL THEATRE AIN AFRICA
Many theatre theoreticians and artists today pose the question: is it possible to talk about traditional theatre in the traditional African context? “Traditional” in this sense implies the cultural systems of different African communities before the European colonisation of Africa. Oral tradition, rites, the spaces of play, masquerades, masks, music and dance – all these forms of creativity have an enormous influence on contemporary African theatre. As special guest of the Afro Festival 2015, theatre, film and TV director – Lawrence Kiiru will give a lecture on the history and development of theatre in Africa, from its earliest forms to contemporary practices.Talk moderator: Ivana Vojt, MAA curator
Sunday, June 14
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Sunday, June 14
**all-day ticket: 100 RSD10-18h
DURBAR DAY - THE FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS
The most important day of the Afro Festival is Durbar Day – the Festival of Festivals – a day of friendship, music and dance. With the participation of the African embassies in Belgrade, this day celebrates African music, dance, art and culture in the pleasant exterior, the garden of the Museum. Specially arranged stalls with handicraft items and souvenirs contribute to the Festival spirit offering an unforgettable way of experiencing the cultural heritage of Africa. With the kind support of the African diplomatic community in Belgrade, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the culinary specialties from different parts of Africa: Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Guinea, Congo, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia. Special guests: the Consulate of Jamaica10-18h
AFRICAN BAZAARThe African Bazaar is a popular event of the Museum of African Art. This sale exhibition promotes the arts and crafts from the African continent and the fine arts inspired by it: masks, sculptures in stone and wood, hand-made and painted fabrics, paintings, batiks, jewellery and decorative household items.
10-18h
CHILDREN'S ART EXHIBITIONSPresenting the artworks created by children at art workshops held at the Museum of African Art from the beginning of this year. African Homes – Colours and Paintings exhibits the art of more than 500 children aged 6-14 from numerous pre-schools and primary schools that participated in the MAA’s 2nd Art Competition. The African Murals: Playful Walls exhibition presents the works of children that were part of the Sunday at the Museum program. Finally, the Sculpture of the Senufo People as Inspiration exhibition will display clay bird figures made by individual children and group participants.
11h
AWARDS FOR BEST CHILD’S DRAWING OF THE “AFRICAN HOMES – COLOURS AND PAINTINGS” ART COMPETITION11h
PRACTICUM: Student guided tours through the permanent exhibition
“Divine Dance – Religious Motifs and Elements in the Religion of the Dogon, Bambara and Senufo”
JOVANA TODIĆ, Classical Studies student11-17h
ART WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN
- “Anansi the Trickster and his Adventures”
Join us in a storytelling session telling the stories from Ghana about Anansi the spider and his adventures, mischief and wit. Through these stories we will learn about social values such as justice and solidarity, and valuable traits such as resourcefulness, courage and diligence. We would like you to draw your own picture based on the stories you have heard. The workshop is led by our special guest, Museum friend and collaborator Ema Ashantide (Ghana/Serbia) and artist Milica Marinković. Duration: 11-14h- “Shapes in Clay... a crocodile on the wall?!”
The home across Africa often had decorations made in clay so it was possible to come across crocodiles, lizards, cows or snakes! This workshop will tell you something about the importance and symbolism of these animals in traditional African culture, show you techniques of treating and shaping clay, and how to make an animal figure in low relief. The workshop is led by Milica Josimov, sculptor. Duration: 11-14h- “Mini models for African Murals”
Rounded or square, with flat or cone shaped roofs, but always decorated with murals – this is what an African traditional house looks like. Children will use recyclable materials to make mini-model houses and then decorate them with paints, collage and mosaics. The workshop is led by Marija Ličina, MAA curator. Duration: 14-17h- “Dress an African House”
We will present an array of decoration used to adorn the outer walls of homes across Africa. Children are invited to paint a large-scale textile in the Gurunsi Style and using Ndbele Patterns. The workshops are led by artist Milica Marinković and Milica Josimov. Duration: 14-17h12h
PRACTICUM: Student guided tours through the permanent exhibition
“Scarification, Hairstyles and Body Painting as Social Biography of the Body”
VENESA MUŠOVIĆ, MA student of Ethnology and Anthropology12-18h
MANCALA
Learning and playing the African board game.Mancala is a cognitive board game and different versions can be found across four continents: Africa, Asia, South and North America. It takes two to play mancala, a board, counters and the game can begin. The rules are simple however it takes time and dedication to become a master mancala player. Come and learn the rules and try-out this ancient board game at the Afro Festival 2015.
13h
Dean of the African Group H. E Abdelaha Zagoura, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco official greeting.14h
PRACTICUM: Student guided tours through the permanent exhibition
“Secret Knowledge”
FILIP ŠAPIĆ, History student
15h
IGOR VINCE & HIS DRUMS, BRASS AND KEYSOne of the rare musicians in our region who is dedicated to African music, Igor Vince had the opportunity to play with and learn from some of the greatest names and African music legends such as Femi Kuti, Keziah Jones, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Fatoumata Diawara, Cheikh Lo and many others. Also known as the first white man to play percussions with Femi (Kuti) Igor Vince and his band will definitely mark the Afro Festival 2015.
