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ABOUT US

#Festival for a Purpose & Mandates

The Ottawa African Festival, operating primarily in but not limited to the National Capital Region, shall have as its purpose:

• to promote knowledge in and appreciation for African cultures and peoples by the people in Canada and to use cultural demonstration to build the pride of African people in Canada;
• to help educate Canadian born children and other interested parties about the cultures of African peoples;
• to organize the Ottawa African Festival and other activities that will bring together not only members of the African community in the National Capital Region but also other Canadian residents from diverse ethnic backgrounds by encouraging them to partake in social and cultural activities including sports of all kinds, exhibition of different cuisines, arts&craft, fashion, science, live music and dance in order to emphasize not only our similarities but also to accentuate and embrace our diversities. Pan AfriKan Coalition of Canada. host’s the Ottawa’s African Music Festival. Our primary goal is to bring people of many backgrounds and cultures together, provide educative entertainment and create opportunities for cultural interactions. The organization’s mandate is to: • educate Canadian born children and other interested parties about the cultures of African peoples • provide stimulating cultural exchange and creativity • present and celebrate diverse music from a vibrant continent • increase public knowledge and appreciation of African art, culture and traditions • showcase the multicultural diversity of Ottawa’s African talent • contribute to the social and cultural fabric of Ottawa. Also – contributes to the creative diversity, cultural inclusion and cultural appreciation in our community and province. Through simple commonalities such as music, and dance, our goal is to share the unifying factors that bring all Canadians together, and contribute to building a diverse public for the arts by increasing cohesion in the community and promoting appreciation and awareness of African arts in Ottawa and Ontario. We realize that there is a great need in our society for education about Africa’s contribution to the modern culture, philosophy and art, which is swiftly absorbed and recognized through the artistic collaboration and showcasing of national and international African artists and artisans, who represent both the classical and modern art form. In order to achieve this goal and address the needs of a multicultural and diverse community, we are committed to providing opportunities for non-citizen Canadian based Africans, African Canadians, Aboriginal, culturally diverse and otherwise marginalized artists, nationally and locally known to perform in a festival that is designed to be open and inclusive to anyone interested in arts, music and culture and representative of existing and growing multiculturalism in Ottawa. The Pan AfriKan Coalition of Canada supports all individuals regardless of sex, gender, race, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background and the equal treatment of any underrepresented groups in Canada.

• The Ottawa African Festival, with a history of seven successful music festivals in Ottawa, contributes to the creative diversity, cultural inclusion and cultural appreciation in our community and province. Through simple commonalities such as music, and dance, our goal is to share the unifying factors that bring all Canadians together, and contribute to building a diverse public for the arts by increasing cohesion in the community and promoting appreciation and awareness of African arts in Ottawa and Ontario. We realize that there is a great need in our society for education about Africa’s contribution to the modern culture, philosophy and art, which is swiftly absorbed and recognized through the artistic collaboration and showcasing of national and international African artists and artisans, who represent both the classical and modern art form. In order to achieve this goal and address the needs of a multicultural and diverse community, we are committed to providing opportunities for non-citizen Canadian based Africans, African Canadians, Aboriginal, culturally diverse and otherwise marginalized artists, nationally and locally known to perform in a festival that is designed to be open and inclusive to anyone interested in arts, music and culture and representative of existing and growing multiculturalism in Ottawa. The Pan AfriKan Coalition of Canada supports all individuals regardless of sex, gender, race, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background and the equal treatment of any underrepresented groups in Canada. This event provides a culturally enriched artistic learning experience for all attendees as well as an opportunity for newcomers to meet people and make valuable and lasting connections. Our audiences have the opportunity to engage in a culturally stimulating experience and interact with our diverse community while contributing to the artistic appreciation and progress in our community and province at large. One of our primary goals is to increase attendance, profitability and social engagement, while our culturally diverse Canadian audiences experience a multitude of art forms that can serve to inspire and encouraged them to become more involved in the arts.

The mission of the Ottawa African Festival is to bring together peoples of all countries of Africa to promote, appreciate, and celebrate African cultures, pride, unity, and traditional family values, using cultural demonstration to inform the peoples of Canada of our rich and varied heritage.

OUR TEAM

President / Artistic Director – Daniel Eji

Vice President- Enock Shikongo

Secretary/Tresurer – Chea Ly

Head of Administration- Martha Shikudule

Volunteer & Vendor Coordinator – Marielle Eji

Coordinator Festival 2019 – Benny Paladin

If you are interested in joining our team, please send your resume to:

info@africanfestival.org

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