MUSIC, FOOD, an African bazaar and a “speakers’ corner” all form part of this year’s celebration of Africa Day tomorrow.
The programme also includes special events for children and an education zone, according to the organisers, Government development body Irish Aid.
The event in Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens is free of charge and is now in its fourth year. Last year, Africa Day events around the country attracted 30,000 visitors.
Speakers’ corner events in Dublin include a discussion on “How to Build Ireland’s Engagement with Africa”, chaired by RTÉ newsreader Bryan Dobson, with contributions from Trócaire director Justin Kilcullen and Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power, among others.
An Africa Day book club discussion on Chinua Achebe's classic novel Things Fall Apartis also planned; speakers here will include Irish Timesjournalist Roisín Ingle.
Mr Power said Africa Day offered an opportunity for everyone in Ireland to celebrate the heritage and identity of the African continent and the African community here.
Highlights on the main music stage include Congolese musician Niwel Tsumbu, Irish musician Dave Flynn, and Senegalese kora master and griot, Solo Cissokho.
The event runs from noon tomorrow to 7pm.
Irish Aid, together with Concern and the United Nations, is also organising a conference in Dublin on Monday and Tuesday to identify practical ways of tackling the global hunger crisis.
The meeting will bring together 200 representatives of the UN, governments and aid agencies, as well as representatives of smallholder farmers and fishing communities from around the world.
