The Afropolitan Festival is three days of exceptional programming dedicated to Afropolitan art, creativity and state of mind, presented by BOZAR and its partners.

Taking place from 3rd to 5th February Afropolitan Festival is a celebration of the Belgian and European artists of African descent currently boosting the European cultural scene. This edition features a special focus on the Belgian Congolese diaspora, on Afropolitan artists in the contemporary art scene, and on the bridges between Sub-Saharans and North Africans.

There will be some thirty multidisciplinary events with over 70 artists and cultural players and Fredy Massamba,the great voice of Afro-soul,  as special guest, Concerts, theatre, contemporary art talks, cinema, stand-up comedy, debates, spoken word, exhibitions, workshops, and an arts & crafts market… and a dance party. (The majority of the events are free.)

The official opening of the Festival, is on Friday February 3 at 20:00 in the Horta Hall, in the company of the Festival’s honorary guests Fredy Massamba and Tatiana Silva, and with the performance of the dance duo, Les Mybalés.

.

PROGRAMME:
.

MUSIC
The music programme from hybrid rumba to Afro-funk by way of the high life and slam, music adventures are guaranteed: With Fredy Massamba & guests (Badi, Alvie Bitémo, Victor Kabwe, Pytshens Kambilo, Karavan, Nathalie Makoma, Yannick Koy, Sébastien Paz…) , Freedonia , Kyekyeku , Afro-party (DJ & VJ) , Open Mic

.

EXPO
The expo section will present four leading artists, from different cross-border universes : Omar Ba, Johny Pitts, Francisco Vidal and Hilde De Windt.

.

ART TALKS
The five curators Anne Wetsi, Eva Longret, Kendell Geers, Hicham Khalidi, Yvette Mutumba, Matthias De Groof present and enter into discussion with around thirty Afropolitan artists from Europe during the art talks programme. Participating Artists: Omar Ba, Francisco Vidal, Johny Pitts, Pelagie Gbaguidi, Laura Nsengiyema, Aimé Ntakiyika, Guy Wouete, Aime Mpane, Johan Baggio, Obi Okiegbo, Freddy Mutombo, Roland Gunst, Isaac Kariuki, A.Junior Boakye-Yiadom, Lerato Shadi, Anawana Haloba, Youssef Limoud, Heba Y Amin, Phoebe Boswell, Delio Jasse, Katia Kameli, Leonard Pongo, Nastio Mosquito, Steven Cohen, Bianca Bondi, Mufuki Mukuna …

.

DISCUSSIONS
Three themed discussions: How is the fight against Afrophobia progressing in Europe?  / From Black Pete to the “Noirauds”, what of these “Black face” practices here in Belgium? / What are the relations of the North Africa and Sub-Saharan communities in Belgium?

.

CINEMA
Afropolitan Festival will show two premieres, a retrospective, a master class, web series, shorts…

.

THEATRE /SLAMS
With a spotlight on new dramatic arts with: Eurea (Jean Bofane)* , Papa Wemba – Le Singe avait raison (Dieudonné Niangouna) , Tram 25 (Gioia Kayaga) , Dis-moi wie ik ben (Aïcha Cissé et Aminata Demba) , Afropean Project Lab (Frederic Lubansu, Gaëtan Kondzot, François Makanga , Louise Manteau et Dominique Patelli), Roland Gunst and Sibo Kanobana and many more

.

KIDS PROGRAMME
Creative workshops, stories and cartoons in the Studio Congo space of the Royal Museum for Central Africa at BOZAR.

.

MARKET PLACE
The Market Place will be a “free entry” space where people can meet, enjoy themselves, savour the moment, sit down, dream. With Arts & Crafts , Fashion , Hair , African Cuisine , Performances & Workshops …

.

Pre-festival programme – 1st February 2017

7pm ‘How is the fight against Afrophobia progressing in Europe?‘

9pm ‘Eurea, ce n’est pas la révolution qui gronde au dehors (2015)’ an unpublished play by In Koli Jean Bofane.

.

Detailed programme and information: www.bozar.be