Seoul Africa Festival attracts tens of thousands to celebrate continent's diverse communities

Members of TAGG, an African dance company, perform for Seoul Africa Festival held at Banpo Hangang Park, Oct. 21. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Thousands of Africans, Koreans and people of other foreign nationalities gathered for the Seoul Africa Festival last Saturday at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul to celebrate the diverse charms of the African continent. The festival was organized by Africa Insight in partnership with the African Group of Ambassadors, Seoul Metropolitan Government and Kia.

According to the organizers' press statement, the festival was an opportunity for visitors to see and experience different African cultures, through booth sharing, family-friendly activities and cultural exhibitions arranged by various embassies, educational institutions and businesses.

The main stage, with the Han River serving as its backdrop, was a focal space adorned with various performances and a fashion show represented the African premium brands Katush and Lohije from Kenya and Nigeria. Numerous cultural groups in Korea, such as African dance company TAGG, Djembecola and AfroKorea, delivered their best choreography.

The members of Djembecola perform with audience members during Seoul Africa Festival held at Banpo Hangang Park, Oct. 21. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Founded in 2016, the Seoul Africa Festival is the first and the largest festival in the history of Korea that celebrates Africa and promotes the various African communities in Korea. The festival has consistently drawn an astonishing average of over 50,000 attendees over the past five years.

It was hosted by Africa Insight, a Korean NGO registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that is a voice for the advocacy of the African continent, specializes in Africa and related topics, with a focus on international cooperation and advocacy. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, it provides content, education and cultural initiatives to offer authentic perspectives on Africa.

VIPs, including organizers and foreign diplomats, pose on stage during Seoul Africa Festival held at Banpo Hangang Park, Oct. 21. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

“The Seoul Africa Festival aims to fulfill the goals of raising awareness of Africa, advocating for rights, strengthening capacity in Africa and promoting exchanges and cooperation between Korea and Africa," Choi Dong-hwan, chairman of Africa Insight, said in an opening speech. "Africa is a young continent, with 70 percent of its 1.3 billion population under the age of 30. I believe we can strive for a better world through interaction and cooperation with the promising African youth. Today, when news of war and division is rampant, we can feel a strong sense of responsibility as our brothers and sisters from Africa and Korea are blessed with the opportunity to share and exchange on the Han River."

Gabonese Ambassador Carlos Victor Boungou, dean of the African Group of Ambassadors, said that the festival has been a useful way to observe the growing interest of the Korean public in African culture, as well as the business community’s eagerness to know more about the opportunities African countries offer. “I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the Seoul Metropolitan Government in its important role as a major promoter of cultural diversity in the beautiful city of Seoul,” he said.

Kenyan mural artist Viktart Mwangi performs live painting during the Seoul Africa Festival held at Banpo Hangang Park, Oct. 21. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Yun Bona and Lee Yu-jeong, Korean students at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies' African studies program, were at the festival representing their university. HUFS is the only university offering an African studies program in Korea.

For both of them, the festival was an additional opportunity to meet Africans in Korea to enrich their studies. Yun is a third-year student who is studying the southern part of Africa in terms of policies, economies and cultural aspects.

Lee's focus is on East Africa, particularly Mozambican literature, with the goal to translate books from Mozambique Portuguese language into Korean. She said learning African literature leads to understanding the cultures, societies and traditions of Africa.

Yun Bona and Lee Yu-jeong, African studies students at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, attend Seoul Africa Festival held at Banpo Hangang Park, Oct. 21. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Kia was the major partner supporter of the festival through its Green Light Project Support System, which functions in eight African countries providing infrastructure, mobility programs and other support.

Lee Sun-kyung, a member of Kia's Sustainability Management Team, told The Korea Times that she was there to promote the carmaker's projects and active engagement with local communities in Africa. She said visiting some countries in Africa, including Ghana, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, increased her understanding and love of the continent's diverse cultures, traditions and landscape.

Lee Sun-kyung, a member of Kia's Sustainability Management Team, poses at her company's booth during Seoul Africa Festival held at Banpo Hangang Park, Oct. 21. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

“Kia employees around the world travel to Africa to volunteer and put their hands to work for the betterment of local communities," she said. "Over the past 10 years, many Kia employees and seven partner NGOs have joined the Green Light program to help communities become self-reliant.”

She mentioned that, as a result, a total of 925,654 individuals have gained opportunities for growth and self-reliance and $29.72 million of social value was created.

African dancer Ahifon Soundea Daniel, a full-time dancer who has lived in Korea for more than five years as part of a multicultural family, said he represents Benin and Cote d’Ivoire. His team, African dance company TAGG, a group of dancers who dream of liberating their bodies and minds through various African dances, was one of the charms of the festival.

African dancer Ahifon Soundea Daniel poses with a drum after performing at Seoul Africa Festival held at Banpo Hangang Park, Oct. 21. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

“This festival is important for Africans and Koreans coming together and sharing a glimpse of our cultures to celebrate and understand each other," he said. "As it’s known many Koreans don’t have that much understanding of Africa, it helps to bridge the awareness of the 54 countries in Africa."

Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.