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Nigeria’s Wole Soyinka received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. He was the first African writer to be honoured with the prestigious prize. Alexander Macbeth on how Soyinka’s Nobel has influenced the development of African literature 30 years on. From Negritude to Afrofuturism (via Tigritude and Afrocentricity), the empire continues to write back. Africa is constantly reshaping her own …

2016 commemorates the 35th anniversary of Bob Marley’s death. Perhaps no other musician has had such a profound impact on how we see the world and our place in it as Marley, who died on 11 May 1981. He infused powerful social messages – of unity and strength in the face of oppression – in his music. German reggae enthusiast …

Cape Town’s hypermodern airport welcomes visitors with its shiny and squeaky clean appearance. Everything is well-organised and immigration formalities swiftly and efficiently dealt with. And yet something seems to be missing and soon it becomes obvious: there are hardly any Black Africans. This jars with the idea of an African country. The drive to the city deepens the impression of …

The World Best African Dance Championships took place recently in Berlin, parading some of the best Afro dancers in the world. The artists, from 12 countries, competed as soloists and crews in the categories 1vs1 Afro House, 1vs1 Coupé Décalé and 2vs2 Afro Fusion. There was no pre-qualification for the contest as the participants were able to register at the …

Angelique Kidjo, the Beninese-born singer and songwriter, received her third “Best World Music Album” Grammy Award for her 2015 release Sings in February. It’s the artist’s second consecutive win in that category: her 2014 album Eve, which paid tribute to African women, won last year.  Sings is a collaboration of Kidjo with the 110-piece Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg, led by …

In addition to its Business and Economy Class, Brussels Airlines now offers a new choice on its intercontinental flights: Economy Plus. The airline’s customers who fly to Africa, the US or Canada now have the choice out of three classes instead of two. Economy Plus is Brussels Airlines’ answer for passengers travelling in Economy Class who want a comfort upgrade …

From May to September, African festivals take place across Germany. From the southwestern city of Emmendingen (near Freiburg) to the federal capital and cultural metropolis of Berlin, events celebrating African music, arts and culture are being held. About 80,000 visitors made this year’s Africa Festival, which took place on 26-29 May in the Bavarian town of Würzburg, one of the …

In a newly published global ranking of countries according to the travel freedom that their citizens enjoy, the German passport came in first position, offering visa-free travel to 177 countries, out of a possible 218. The Germans dethroned the Americans who held the first position last year and in 2014, according to the Henley & Partners Visa Restriction Index, released …

Based in the Bavarian capital, he is omnipresent on the contemporary art scene. In 2011, Okwui Enwezor became the first non-European director of a German art institution. Since then, he has been successfully running Munich’s “Haus der Kunst” (House of Art).  Born in Nigeria in 1963, Enwezor studied literature and political science in New York. His breakthrough came in 1996 …

Kenneth Gbandi honoured, African Catholic Women in Germany meet in Frankfurt, Barrister Efosa Ogieriakhi is 50!

Situated 10 kilometres from the centre of Accra, Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is the first point of call for businesspeople as well as tourists visiting the country. KIA, the only international airport in Ghana, is fast becoming the regional hub for air travel in West Africa. Thanks to Ghana’s increasing profile as a preferred business hub and tourist destination, KIA …

Africa’s leading hotel booking website, Jovago, has launched its #MyGhana social media campaign promoting tourism in the country worldwide. The campaign runs on Facebook and Twitter. To take part in the campaign, social media users are required to take beautiful pictures of any eye-catching monument, landscape or landmark; post them on social media using the hashtag #MyGhana, tag five friends …

If music journalists from Europe or North America lack the words to express how much they love the music of an African reggae artist they have just stumbled upon, they are quick to talk about “Africa’s Bob Marley”. Lucky Dube, Alpha Blondy, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Rocky Dawuni and many others have been compared to the first superstar of the “Third …

The Ethiopian government is promoting the country as a favourite tourism destination despite fears of famine due to an ongoing drought. Ethiopia’s Tourism Minister Aisha Mohammed Mussa proudly presented the country’s new tourism slogan: ‘Ethiopia – Land of Origins’ at the International Tourism Bourse recently, in a new campaign to rebrand the country.  The country is proud of many unique …

Brussels Airlines has opened a state-of-the-art lounge for its Business Class passengers at the N’Djili International Airport in Kinshasa, the capital of DR Congo. “With the opening of our very first own lounge in Africa, we further strengthen our footprint in Africa and confirm our commitment to the continent,” said the airline in a statement. The lounge, called THE SUITE, …

This year’s Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam (AFWA) will take place from 25 to 27 August at the Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam, organisers have announced. Emerging fashion designers from 24 countries will take part in the three-day event celebrating African and African-inspired fashion, art and cultural heritage. AFWA 2016 kicks off with a press conference on 24 August, providing an …

South African legend Hugh Masekela has been awarded this year’s Africa Festival Prize for his lifetime achievement. Visibly moved, the Jazz musician who performed during the festival, which took place on 26-29 May in the Bavarian town of Würzburg, thanked the organisers for the honour done him. About 80,000 visitors made this year’s Africa Festival one of the most successful …

The African festival in the federal capital of Berlin opens on 2 June with a wide-ranging programme including live concerts, dance workshops, a bazaar and workshops at the popular Alexanderplatz in the city centre. The Festival is visited by around 5,000 people daily! Kenako Afrika Festival, from 2-12 June, parades established and up-and-coming artists, including Wiyaala, the creative artist from …

The annual summer season of African music and culture in Germany has gone into full swing. Here are the Top Festivals promising an unforgettable experience: ———————————————- Afrika Karibik Kultur Festival Starnberg 6 – 10 June / Starnberg, Seepromenade Festival features various international musicians, dancers and groups of African and Caribbean origin.  Plus exotic drinks and wonderfully fresh Caribbean summer cocktails …

Visitor numbers in The Gambia continue to grow thanks to increasing halal tourist options and a new five-star resort opening outside Banjul. Only six hours from Brussels and with a negligible time difference from mainland Europe, Gambia has been steadily leveraging its golden beaches and excellent birdwatching opportunities to build up a tourist industry that accounts for around 20 per …