News from Berlin

News from Berlin – On April 15^th 1958 African leaders and political activists met in Ghana in Accra at the first Conference of the Independent African states. Amongst the attendees were representatives and officials from Ethiopia, Ghana, Libya, Liberia, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, the United Arab Republic, (the former Egypt and Syria) as well as political activists from Algeria and Congo. It was the first pan African conference of its kind to happen on the African continent. With this unified action, African leaders wanted to express their refusal of colonialism and the imperialist system.

The Accra conference called for the creation of the Africa Freedom Day on April 15^th to “mark each year the onward progress of the liberation movement, and to symbolize the determination of the People of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation.”

Five years later, in 1963, on May 25^th, the leaders of the 32 African countries who had reached independence gathered in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to create the Organization of African Unity (OAU) that was later to become the African Union (AU). At this point, more than two thirds of the continent had gained independence. The African Freedom Day became the African Liberation Day and its date was changed to May 25th. Every year ever since, this special day has been celebrated by the African diaspora around the world.

This year on this particular occasion, African ambassadors in Berlin are organizing an African Talent Night on the Friday evening before the African Liberation Day. It will be an evening dedicated to African art and culture. It is set to take place at the Fontane Haus.

Guests are expected to arrive at 6pm. The evening will start with a welcome address by H.E. Mr. Jean Claude Bouyobart – Ambassador of the Republic of Gabon in Berlin. Different artists will showcase their talent in the evening. Among them will be dancers, singers, and fashion designers. Guests will also enjoy a live DJ session.

More info is available at: http://www.ugandaembassyberlin.de/en/events/africa_talent_night_2014/

News from Berlin – Berlin Global