21/5/21 – Tuesday 25th May is Africa Day 2021, which is celebrated around the world and is an opportunity to appreciate and mark the African continent’s diverse history and heritage while acknowledging its cultural and economic potential. At home, Africa Day represents an opportunity to acknowledge a diverse and important group of people who enrich and make a valuable contribution to Irish society. Local groups Gorm Media, AfroPopCity, ReStart Ireland and Doras are together organising a number of online events for the day, with support from Limerick Council and Irish Aid. Held in Limerick’s Milk Market in recent years, Africa Day moved online in 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and is again marked with a series of online events for 2021.
“We are delighted to again be a part of Africa Day,” said John Lannon, CEO of Doras, “especially since we were not able to take part last year due the pandemic. Because this year’s events will be online, we are excited to be able to welcome people from Limerick, who have always made Africa Day celebrations in the city so special, as well as people from across Ireland and abroad. We have been working closely with people from African countries or of African descent for over 20 years, and are delighted to help celebrate some of the people, cultures and traditions of such a diverse continent. We encourage everyone to attend any or all of the events below, and look out on our social media channels or the hashtag #AfricaDay #AfricaDay2021 for details of other events around Ireland.”
Mamobo Ogoro of Gorm Media, said “the online events organised for Africa Day 2021 take an exciting look at some of the work that African and African-Irish people are doing in Limerick.”
Below is a list of confirmed scheduled local events for Africa Day 2021:
- A Taste of Zimbabwe – 1pm 25th May 2021
Join us online with ReStart Founder, Sikhulekile Ruth Ndlovu who will demonstrate dishes from Zimbabwe, Africa. ReStart is a social enterprise that aims to integrate international protection applicants into the Irish Community through cooking and gardening. With this initiative, Sikhulekile has brought people together regardless of their status in the country, especially through food and cooking. In doing so, Sikhulekile challenges the direct provision system and advocates for more bearable living situations for people while they are waiting for their asylum case to processed. Visit ReStart’s social media: @ReStartIRL https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ILIz8zacSIeEUDkOdyunzg
- Afropopcity Africa Day Event – 7pm 25th May 2021
Afropopcity is a Limerick-based collective and event organisation that aims to Amplify Afrobeat in the Limerick area. With a diverse team Artists, DJs, Dancers and Project Manager, Afropopcity promotes a diverse range of miusic (e.g. Afrobeat, Dancehall, and HipHop) and talent. Join Afroppocity live on Zoom, Facebook & Instagram to celebrate Africa Day! Instagram/Facebook: @afropopcity https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpcu2urjosHtbzwBSr8nitFDlVNj5vuhRV
- ‘Africa’ poetry video release on social media – 25th May 2021
‘Africa’ is a poetry video written and produced by Isac Kossivi, a Limerick based poet and photographer. The piece celebrates the diversity within the continent of Africa and showcases different African voices and languages. The video will be released across social media platforms including @isacmaurice2000 (instagram – https://www.instagram.com/isacmaurice2000/?hl=en) and @DorasIRL (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram) on Africa Day 2021.
