FESTIVAL OF ART & CULTURE (FESTAC)

In the spirit of Pan-Africanism as espoused by noted Pan-Africanists, Marcus A. Garvey, and furthered by W. E. B. Du Bois, Columbus, Ohio will be the site to celebrate the diversity of Black culture.

In the 1960’s, many African nations gained independence from their colonizers. This newfound emancipation of black nations provided a new and invigorating platform of re-establishing and confirming the Black race as the cradle of civilization. The new Pan-Africanists, like Kwame Nkrumah and Gamal Abdel Nasser, former presidents of Ghana and Egypt respectively, championed this effort. The founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) is primarily attributed to these men. It was in this spirit that in 1966 the first World Festival of Negro Arts was held in Dakar, Senegal. This led to the launching of the second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC). This was launched in January 1977 in Lagos, Nigeria.

In furtherance of such a festival on a citywide scale, APDS (Africentric Personal Development Shop, Inc.) is proud to announce FESTAC 2007 - A Festival of Art and Culture. The celebration will take place on Saturday, September 29, 2007 from noon to 8:00 p.m. at the Driving Park Community Park, located east on Livingston Avenue between Rhoads Avenue and Nelson Road. There will be food, art and book displays, live entertainment, dance, games, children’s pavilion, health pavilion, and more. Entertainment includes reggae band Flex Crew, gospel singer Doni Washington, Rolando Matias and The Afro-Rican Ensemble, hip hop group BHB4U.COM and DJ Yung Herc AKA DJ Drastic. This festival is for the entire family and there is no admission charge. FESTAC 2007 will present a unique opportunity to invigorate community spirit and contribute substantial economic, social and cultural benefit to the Central Ohio community.

FESTAC 2007 is sponsored by APDS, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, and Glory Foods Inc. The FESTAC 2007Committee includes APDS, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, Driving Park Area Commission, Livingston Avenue Collaborative for Community Development, and Dwight Stewart Sound Company. Opening ceremony begins at noon.

For additional information contact Chandra Rains, Vice President of Operations for APDS and Chair of the FESTAC Columbus Committee at (614) 253-4448 or crains@apdsinc.org

 

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