THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
One of Europe’s most enduring African cultural events is marking a major milestone. The African Music Festival, held annually in the picturesque town of Emmendingen in southwest Germany usually in the first weekend of August, is celebrating its 25th anniversary — a remarkable achievement that highlights its legacy of music, multiculturalism and community engagement.
From its modest beginnings in 2000, the African Music Festival has grown into a fixture on the European cultural calendar, attracting audiences from across Germany and beyond. With this year’s Jubilee theme, “Music Unites”, the festival will not only celebrate its past but also look to the future, underscoring music’s power to transcend borders, generations and belief systems.
“Growing doesn’t just mean getting bigger, it means evolving,” say the festival organizers. “After 25 years, we’re not just older. We’re more mature, more courageous and ready for new dimensions.”
A Legacy of Cultural Exchange
Over the years, the festival has brought together world-class African and Afro-diasporic artists while creating a space for intercultural dialogue and solidarity. From legends of reggae and Afrobeat to contemporary stars of hip hop, soul and traditional African music, Emmendingen has served as a stage for artists who use music to bridge cultures and spark conversations.
The 2025 edition, holding from 31 July to 3 August, promises to be no different. The lineup includes Ghanaian superstar Stonebwoy, the Grammy-winning Morgan Heritage from Jamaica, Germany’s reggae ambassador Gentleman and Marley’s Ghost feat. Dellé, frontman of the celebrated Berlin band SEEED. With daily headline performances, the program promises to deliver one musical highlight after another.
Music and Meaning
But the African Music Festival is more than just entertainment. At its heart lies a deep commitment to community, peace and volunteerism. Each year, between 120 and 150 volunteers help bring the event to life, not for profit, but from the belief that music can connect people and foster understanding.
This spirit is further reflected in the festival’s longstanding tradition of interreligious celebration, bringing together local Muslim, Jewish, Catholic and Protestant communities in a joint expression of harmony and shared humanity. “Music is more than art – it is something deeply human, a rhythm that has accompanied us since the beginning of time,” organizers note.
Looking Ahead
The African Music Festival has weathered challenges over the decades, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted live cultural events globally, but it has emerged stronger, more focused and more relevant than ever. As it steps into its next chapter, the festival reaffirms its place as a platform for creative voices from the continent and its diaspora.
With the theme “Music Unites”, the 25th African Music Festival invites everyone to join in a celebration not just of music, but of unity, heritage and hope in Emmendingen.
Vivian Asamoah
