In earlier times, the people of The Gambia would sit at night beneath the baobab tree and exchange news and views. Traditions have changed, but still the need to share information, address problems and find solutions remains. With this in mind, Germany’s Goethe-Institut is working in cooperation with local entrepreneurs to develop the AfriCourage project as a model of local and international cooperation and information exchange.
The initiative aims to encourage and enhance integration, participation, cooperation, engagement, tolerance and democracy. The AfriCourage programme is ongoing – in 2019, the location is The Gambia’s capital Banjul.
In December 2019, as guests of the OpenMicFest, AfriCourage will provide professional training from the worlds of festival presentation, event management, promotion, sound technology and media. AfriCourage is bringing artistic and business acumen to The Gambia to perform and work with local Gambian talent and entrepreneurs.
The initiative is supported by the United Nations Youth Empowerment Project and aims at nothing less than turbo-charging the Gambian cultural economy. Following a three-day-long media training workshop, selected Gambian journalists, video makers, bloggers, activists and sound technicians are preparing for the AfriCourage festival armed with new skills acquired from international trainers. Their work will be featured on the AfriCourage website.
Jointly organised by Gambian promoters Black Lynx Entertainment and the Goethe-Institut, the AfriCourage festival takes place under the umbrella of the legendary OpenMic festival.
On Friday December 27th, the OpenMicFest reflects the power of hip-hop in the local culture. On Saturday December 28th, the AfriCourage project focuses on traditional and contemporary culture, with an international and local line-up and a global streamcast courtesy of the European Broadcast Union. AfriCourage will thus become the first sub-Saharan African festival to be broadcast live to major European media networks.
The AfriCourage line-up will feature some of the legendary names of music from the region and beyond, including Baaba Maal (Senegal), the Ensemble Modern (Germany), Jali Madi (The Gambia), Journal Rappé (Senegal), Killa Ace (The Gambia), Smockey (Burkina Faso), Sambou Suso (The Gambia), Tatadindin Jobarteh (The Gambia), Wimme & Rinne (Finland) and more. Additionally, in an appearance devised especially for the festival, the Liberation Orchestra of Inverted Traditions will feature selected artists in a spectacular, never-to-be-repeated collaboration, blending the European traditions of visiting artists with local West African grooves.
AfriCourage invites you to participate in an event celebrating the unique culture of the modern Gambia!
The organizers
Goethe Institut and Black Lynx Entertainment
The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institute, active worldwide. It promotes the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange. The Gambian enterprise Black Lynx Entertainment is into the creation and development of platforms for artistes. They have been involved in entertainment entrepreneurship in The Gambia for more than a decade with a core focus on (1) the creation and development of platforms on radio, TV, live events and (2) the marketing and monetization of Gambian entertainment. Since 2008 they have hosted the annual OpenMicFest.
Partners & Sponsors
AfriCourage becomes reality through a unique collaboration between OpenMicFest and the Goethe-Institut. We are grateful for the contribution and expertise of our partners and sponsors who have made the project possible.
