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AFRO FESTIVAL 2017

 

afro festival 2017 t30 June, 1 and 2 July

The Afro festival is an annual event that last several days and takes place at the Museum of African Art in Belgrade (MAA). The Museum organises exhibitions and lectures, concerts, creative workshops, gathering African and local artists, experts in the field of African studies, students, conoisseurs of African arts and cultures. The Afro festival offers the ‟best of the best” of the MAA’s programs.

MAA ANNIVERSARY

In 2017 we celebrate 40 years since the founding of our institution, with diverse programs that are organised throughout the year. Programs held at this year's Afro Festival will also mark this important anniversary, such as the presentation of the monograph „Nyimpa kor ndzidzi – One Man, no Chop – (Re)conceptualization of the Museum of African Art – the Veda and Dr. Zdravko Pečar Collection”, which accompanies the exhibition that commemorates forty years of the Museum's activities.

To see the detailed program of the Afro Festival 2017 scroll down or click here to download it in .pdf.

 

PROGRAM

 

afro festival 2017 t30 June, 1 and 2 July

The Afro festival is an annual event that last several days and takes place at the Museum of African Art in Belgrade (MAA). The Museum organises exhibitions and lectures, concerts, creative workshops, gathering African and local artists, experts in the field of African studies, students, conoisseurs of African arts and cultures. The Afro festival offers the ‟best of the best” of the MAA’s programs.

MAA ANNIVERSARY

In 2017 we celebrate 40 years since the founding of our institution, with diverse programs that are organised throughout the year. Programs held at this year's Afro Festival will also mark this important anniversary, such as the presentation of the monograph „Nyimpa kor ndzidzi – One Man, no Chop – (Re)conceptualization of the Museum of African Art – the Veda and Dr. Zdravko Pečar Collection”, which accompanies the exhibition that commemorates forty years of the Museum's activities.

To see the detailed program of the Afro Festival 2017 scroll down or click here to download it in .pdf.

 

PROGRAM

FRIDAY, 30 June

 

FRIDAY, 30 June
Free Entrance

 

18:00
MAA ANNIVERSARY

Monograph presentation

‟Nyimpa kor ndzidzi – One Man, no Chop, (Re)conceptualization of the Museum of African Art – the Veda and Dr. Zdravko Pečar Collection”

Published by the MAA, Belgrade, 2017.

Participants: Milica Naumov (anthropologist/"Dig(i)MAA" project researcher), Nemanja Radonjić (historian/PhD candidate), Marijana Cvetković (art historian and producer), Ana Sladojević (art theoretician & curator of the Nympa kor ndzidzi... exhibition), Jelena Vesić & Vladimir Jerić Vlidi (theoreticians), Marija Miloš (MAA curator).

Talk moderator: Emilia Epštajn, MAA curator

‟Contexts and Representations”, a series of talks at the Museum of African Art initiated in 2014, laid the theoretical foundation for the current exhibition and the publication produced for the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of this municipal cultural institution. The exhibition authors will introduce the historization and (re)conceptualization methodology, which was applied both in the exhibition and the book. They will present the main thematic areas, map the most important problem questions that appear in the publication, and give an overview of the individual essays, which focus for the first time on unfamiliar or less known contents of the Museum.

***

Entrance:

Friday: free
Saturday: 200 RSD
Sunday: 200 RSD
*Tickets are bought at the entrance
**Entrance is free for children under the age of 6

SATURDAY, 1 July

 

SATURDAY, 1 July
Entrance: 200 RSD

 

10:00-18:00
AFRICAN BAZAAR

bazar 002 tThe African Bazaar is a popular Festival program that promotes visual and applied arts of the African continent.

It is conceived as a sale exhibition of art and craft items: masks, sculptures in stone and wood, hand-made and painted fabrics, paintings, batik, jewellery and decorative items for interior decoration.

A special part of the Bazaar consists of the works of local artists and craft makers, whose creations are inspired by Africa.

 

10:00-18:00
‟HABARI ZA SAFARI?″ – Fourth MAA Art Competition exhibition

We present the most successful works of the participants of the Fourth MAA Art Competition organized for children and youth aged 6-18 years, from March to June 2017 on the theme ‟Habari za safari? / How Was Your (African) Journey?” The drawings depict selected objects, various impressions of the Museum exhibitions and the imagined, exciting journeys through African cultures and landscapes. Several hundred children and young people took part in the Competition. Awards are given to the best young artists in three different age categories.

 

10:30
PRACTICUM – thematic guided tours

“The Influence of West African Art on Modern European Art”
Marijana Štrubel, Undergraduate Student of Art History

What is the situation in European artistic circles in the late 19th century when the fruits of African material culture became available to the general European public? What interest did African masks, sculptures and textiles provoke among painters such as Matisse, Picasso, Darren, Vlaminck...? Join us on this tour through the permanent display of the Museum and let us trace works of art like the ones that produced new directions in art in the 20th century.

 

11:00-14:00
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS

The antelope fellowship
In the workshop the children will become familiar with examples of antelope sculptures from Mali, Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast. After that, they will sculpt a clay figurine, and lastly they will create the adventures of the antelope fellowship surrounded by the greenery of the museum garden. Workshop will be held by: Milica Josimov, sculptor, Ana Knežević, art historian and Diawara Seku Sidi, anthropologist.

The birthday of the Museum to the rhythm of Africa
The participants will make a bouquet of balloons, which they will decorate with drawings and happy birthday wishes for the Museum of African Art’s fortieth anniversary. They will then release the balloons into the air, to the accompaniment of dance and music, sending their wishes from Belgrade, maybe even as far as Africa. Workshop will be held by: Marija Miloš, curator, Milica Josimović, anthropologist and Aleksandra Minić, from the ‟Capoeira Angola Belgrado” club.

 

11:30
PRACTICUM – thematic guided tours

“Zoomorphic Motifs and Their Symbolism in West African Art”
Nastasija Radovanović, Undergraduate Student of Archaeology

In many West African communities, animals have occupied a key place in mythology, legends and rituals. We will get acquainted with the permanent display of the Museum by tracing zoomorphic (animal) motifs in the works of the Dogon, Bambara, Senufo, Baule, Dan and Gere peoples, whose traditional sculptures and masks in wood dominate the display. Stories about animals teach us a lot about the people themselves and the way they see the world around them.

 

12:00-18:00
MANCALA – learn the rules and play 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 2017.

 

12:30
PRACTICUM – thematic guided tours

‟Symbols of Power among the Peoples of West Africa”
Sofija Dakić, Undergraduate Student of Sociology

Through this guided tour, we will learn about the laws, rituals, tools and decorative items, and try to understand all the ways in which these elements culminate into one whole – one community, with its specific characteristics, mythology and art. Having removed our prejudice, we will be able to distinguish many similarities and differences between ‟our” and ‟their” social systems and, above all, recognize all those genuinely identical nuances of everyday life, of the big and small, powerful and powerless people, no matter what space or time they dwell in.

 

13:30
PRACTICUM – thematic guided tours

‟The Importance of the Ancestor Cult among the West African Peoples”
Dragana Ćurčin, Undergraduate student of Ethnology and Anthropology

African religious practice with its mystique and uniqueness, has provoked worldwide interest over the centuries. The ancestral cult was prevalant in almost every part of Africa and the veneration of ancestors held an important role in many ceremonies. On the permanent display of the Museum, there areshowcased cult figures and masks which were used by the Dogon, Senufo, Bambara, Dan and Gere peoples.

 

14:00-17:00
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS

Fishing boats on the Gold Coast
We will make large waves and small fishing boats from various materials, and play and talk our way to the Gold Coast. Every ‟captain” and ‟captainess” will decorate their toy-boat with colours and inscriptions, drawing inspiration from the Ghanaian fishing boat, which is on display at the Museum. Workshop will be held by: Marija Miloš, curator, Milica Josimov, sculptor and Milica Josimović, anthropologist.

Let’s dress an African house!
Based on the geometric motifs and vibrant colours of the murals adorning the South African houses, children will paint a large-format textile together, in the style of the ‟Ndebele” murals, to make a new ‟costume” for the African house in the Museum garden. Workshop will be held by: Milica Marinković, textile designer, and Ana Knežević, art historian.

 

14:00
CAPOEIRA ANGOLA BELGRADO

Dance performance and open workshop - Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian percussions

Learn the basic moves of capoeira and play the birimbau, agogo, atabaki, pandeiro!

You are invited to participate in the open workshop of the Afro-Brazilian martial art - the Capoeira Angola, as well as the music workshop of Afro-brazilian percussions. Caoeira is an Afro-Brazilian skill, game and dace, with attacking and defending movements, which originates in African tribal dances. It is especially linked to the N’golo ritual dance from Angola. At the open workshop you will learn the masic movements, the caopeira dance and the ritual of the Hoda (the circle) in which the capoeira is performed. In the musical part of the workshop you can learn to play the instruments which are used for accompanying the capoeira and Afro-Brazilian dances. Among them are: the berimbau (musical bow), pandeiro (tambourine with leather drum), agogo (bells), heko-heko (carved bamboo) and atabaki (drum). In addition, we will learn some typical capoeira songs, which are sung in Portuguese, to the strong, dynamic beat of the percussions.

 

14:30
PRACTICUM – thematic guided tours

‟The (Post) Yugoslav Life of the Museum of African Art”
Sara Nikolić, Master Student of Ethnology and Anthropology

Tito traveled the length and breadth of Africa, and Belgrade streets bear the names of its kings and revolutionaries. For forty years in this city, in Andre Nikolića 14, Street, there is the Museum of African Art. In all this time, the Museum, as an architectural structure and institution, has grown, changed and adapted to new contexts. Walking through the concrete structure of the MAA and garden that surrounds it, you will get to know the Museum as a place of reconciliation and compromise, and learn more about the economic, political and cultural changes that formed over the course of forty years.

 

15:30
Lecture and presentation of photographs

ANGOLA – LAND OF A THOUSAND COLOURS

Guest lecturers:

Vera Radošević, politicologist, traveler, photographer,
Branko Nikolić, MSc, Minister-Counselor (retired), Serbian diplomat

Moderator: Aleksandra Prodanović Bojović, anthropologist

Angola, situated on the south-western African coast, is a land of a “thousand colours” in the literal sense. The richness and diversity that it possesses makes it unique in its surrounding, because of its turbulent history and specific cultural identity and overall diversity, as much as the varied natural and geographic features of each province. Angola is ‟all in one”.

Through personal impressions, account and photographs of Vera Radošević and Branko NIkolić, the spirit of Angola will be presented to the Belgrade public in this travelogue.

Branko Nikolić, MSc – worked at the Embassy of Serbia in Luanda – Angola, as a diplomatic representative – in the capacity of deputy chief of mission and chargé d’affaires. He worked for the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for thirty years, where he was concerned with Africa and the Middle East.

Vera Radošević – lived in Angola from 2014 to 2016, during which time she was engaged in humanitarian work, traveling through the country and staying among various ethnic communities. She has taken an extensive amount of photographs which manage to reflect the spirit of this country.

 

17:30
PRACTICUM – thematic guided tours

‟Myths and Legends of the West African Peoples”
Dušan Tošić, Undergraduate Student of History

This guided tour is an introduction to the traditional legends of different cultures of Africa, above all the Dogon, Bambara, Senufo and Ashanti. Through the tour you will find out about the first “beings” that walked the land and how they influenced their descendants – humans.

We invite you to join us and learn how myths and legends permeate African reality today.

***

Entrance:

Friday: free
Saturday: 200 RSD
Sunday: 200 RSD
*Tickets are bought at the entrance
**Entrance is free for children under the age of 6

SUNDAY, 2 July

 

SUNDAY, 2 July
Entrance: 200 RSD

 

10:00-18:00
AFRICAN BAZAAR

bazar 001 tThe African Bazaar is a popular Festival program that promotes visual and applied arts of the African continent. It is conceived as a sale exhibition of art and craft items: masks, sculptures in stone and wood, hand-made and painted fabrics, paintings, batik, jewellery and decorative items for interior decoration. A special part of the Bazaar consists of the works of local artists and craft makers, whose creations are inspired by Africa. Body decorations with henna based on traditional African and other decorative motifs form part of this year's Bazaar offer.

 

10:00-18:00
DURBAR

The most important day of the Afro Festival is Durbar Day: Festival of Festivals – a day for friendship, music and dance. With the participation of the African embassies in Belgrade – in the pleasant exterior, the Museum garden – this day celebrates African music, dance, crafts, arts and cultures.

With the kind support of the African Diplomatic community in Belgrade, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the culinary specialties from different parts of Africa: Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Guinea, Congo, Libya, Morocco and Nigeria. Guest of the Festival: the Consulate of Jamaica.

 

10:00-18:00
‟HABARI ZA SAFARI?″ – Fourth MAA Art Competition exhibition

We present the most successful works of the participants of the Fourth MAA Art Competition organized for children and youth aged 6- 18 years, from March to June 2017 on the theme „Habari za safari? / How Was Your (African) Journey?” The drawings depict selected objects, various impressions of the Museum exhibitions and the imagined, exciting journeys through African cultures and landscapes. Several hundred children and young people took part in the Competition. Awards are given to the best young artists in three different age categories.

 

10:30
PRACTICUM – thematic guided tours

‟Humanity has no Boundaries – Understanding the Morality of African Peoples”
Aleksandra Knežević, Undergraduate Student of Philosophy

Ignorance often produces misunderstanding, fear and prejudice. Due to lack of education, we have a tendency to diminish the value of what we do not know and do not understand. If we want to overcome the prejudices that we have about the culture, belief systems, art and lifestyles of African people, we need to understand what is at the core of all things, and that is a philosophy. The guided tour will focus on Ubuntu philosophy and the ethical system of the Akan, in order to enhance our philosophical knowledge of African peoples.

 

11:00-14:00
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS

The antelope fellowship
In the workshop the children will become familiar with examples of antelope sculptures from Mali, Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast. After that, they will sculpt a clay figurine, and lastly they will create the adventures of the antelope fellowship surrounded by the greenery of the museum garden. Workshop will be held by: Milica Josimov, sculptor, Ana Knežević, art historian and Diawara Seku Sidi, anthropologist.

The birthday of the Museum to the rhythm of Africa
The participants will make a bouquet of balloons, which they will decorate with drawings and happy birthday wishes for the Museum of African Art’s fortieth anniversary. They will then release the balloons into the air, to the accompaniment of dance and music, sending their wishes from Belgrade, maybe even as far as Africa. Workshop will be held by: Marija Miloš, curator, Milica Josimović, anthropologist and Aleksandra Minić, from the ‟Capoeira Angola Belgrado” club.

 

11:00
AWARDS CEREMONY for the best children’s drawings of the ‟Habari za safari?” Art Competition

 

11:30
PRESENTATION OF THE SWAHILI LANGUAGE WORKSHOPS

There is a Swahili proverb: MTU NI WATU, which means A PERSON IS PEOPLE. Through language learning different customs, nature and behavior are understood better. Every spring and autumn, the Museum of African Art organizes a series of Swahili language workshops for adults. Organized into two groups, the workshops are intended for beginners and those who already understand Swahili. Workshops are led by Galina Tudyk and Amosi Rwangaria.

 

12:00-18:00
MANCALA –Learn the rules and play 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 2017.

 

12:00
MINI-CONCERT – Battery of percussionists “Rhythm of the Soul” from the ‟Josif Marinković” elementary school in Novi Bečej

 

13:00
The official address of the Dean of the African Group, H. E. Mr. Tajouri Shradi Tajouri, Ambassador of Libya in Belgrade

 

13:30
PRACTICUM – thematic guided tours

‟The Mysterious Power of the African Mask”
Slađana Biljić, Undergraduate Student of Archaeology

The mask is an essential element in dance rituals, rites and ceremonies of African communities. Because of its magic and power, members of the community treat the mask with great respect: from its creation and protection, its participation in various rituals and different social occasions.

Masked, and accompanied by musical instruments, in certain rhythm, the mask-wearer loses his identity and transforms into a supernatural being that provides communication between community members and ancestral spirits.

 

14:00-17:00
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS

Fishing boats on the Gold Coast
We will make large waves and small fishing boats from various materials, and play and talk our way to the Gold Coast. Every ‟captain” and ‟captainess” will decorate their toy-boat with colours and inscriptions, drawing inspiration from the Ghanaian fishing boat, which is on display at the Museum. Workshop will be held by: Marija Miloš, curator, Milica Josimov, sculptor and Milica Josimović, anthropologist.

Let’s dress an African house!
Based on the geometric motifs and vibrant colours of the murals adorning the South African houses, children will paint a large-format textile together, in the style of the ‟Ndebele” murals, to make a new ‟costume” for the African house in the Museum garden. Workshop will be held by: Milica Marinković, textile designer, and Ana Knežević, art historian.

 

14:00
Lecture and presentation of photographs

SUDAN – GOOD PEOPLE IN THE DESERT OF FOUR HUNDRED PYRAMIDS

Guest lecturer: Viktor Lazić, writer, lawyer, traveler

The author presents his personal experience from his journeys across Sudan. Having traveled seven thousand kilometres in one month, he has visited a larger part of what is one of the biggest African states. During the lecture he will talk about the people, customs and religion in Sudan, with a special emphasis on Sufi Islam and the dervishes. The lecture will also cover the topics of traditional sports, marriage, the educational system, and the history of the country. Some of the most significant archaeological sites in Africa will be mentioned, such as the less known Nubian pyramids, built during the kingdom of Kush.

Viktor Lazić is one of the most prominent Serbian travelers and the chairman of the Association for Culture, Art and International Cooperation ‟Adligat” (within the frame of which the Museum of Books and Travel, and the Museum of Serbian Literature were established). He spent ten years in total traveling across the world, systematically visiting eighty-five countries on four continents, discovering landscapes and peoples, collecting valuable and rare books and objects. So far he has written more than a thousand journal articles and published a number of books, among which: ‟Wanderings through the Smiling Country” (2006), ‟The Great Adventure” (2010), ‟In the Heart of Sumatra” (2011), ‟At the Gates of the East” (2015).

 

15:00
CONCERT – Salsa y Punto

Salsa y Punto is an international band consisting of musicians from Cuba and the local region, which plays an authentic blend of Afro-Latin musical genres. Bringing together seasoned musicians, the band was formed in 2007 in Belgrade, and in 2013 published an album called Baila Conmigo. With their attractive sound and original mix of rhythms they gained popularity in the region of South East Europe.

The band’s repertoire features salsa, Latin jazz, Afro-rumba, meringue, cha cha cha, bachata and traditional Afro-Cuban music.

 

 

16:30
PRACTICUM – thematic guided tours

‟From Life to Death – the Rituals of West African Communities”
Maja Banović, Undergraduate Student of History

The guided tour through the permanent display will introduce you to the secret world of ritual of West African communities, as well as the role of music, dance, masks and sculptures within it. This is an opportunity to learn that rituals are far more than just ‟music and dance” and that they are the key communication tools used to mark important events in both the life of the community and the individual, as part of it. Join us on our tour through the permanent display and discover the world of African rituals.

***

Entrance:

Friday: free
Saturday: 200 RSD
Sunday: 200 RSD
*Tickets are bought at the entrance
**Entrance is free for children under the age of 6