All in Laois invited to celebrate Laois Africa Day in Portlaoise

Laois Africa Day is back again in June and the organisers are urging local people to get involved.

In preparation for the big event over the June Bank Holiday Weekend, the hosts Laois African Support Group - IRL are putting a call out for artists and stalls for anyone and everyone from any country who would like to sing, dance, perform, or have a stand on the day.

Please call 087 388 0688 or email info@laoisafrica.com.

Supported by Laois County Council and sponsored by Irish Aid, this year's events include, food, music, face painting, traditional African dress, African culture and history and lots lots more.

Laois Africa Day 2023 takes place at the Portlaoise Leisure Centre on Saturday June 3 from 12pm to 5pm.

Africa Day is an international day that commemorates the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. It falls on  May 25 each year.

Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs has hosted Africa Day celebrations since 2006. Last year saw the largest year to date attracting over 20,000 people to events nationwide.

Laois County Council is one of 32 local authorities that stage events and activities to mark Africa Day 2023. Funding for these events has been provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Events will take place nationwide from 20th May.

These events will be listed on www.AfricaDay.ie and updates on Africa Day social media channels.

The flagship Africa Day 2023 event in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham takes place in Dublin on Sunday, 21 May between 11am and 6pm. It features almost 40 performers, artists and organisations set to take part in a special celebration of African cultures. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

On the mainstage, headline acts include Galway-born artist and one of the most exciting names in the Irish hip-hop and rap scene Celaviedmai, alongside the Discovery Choir, Rhythm Africana, Kiruu, SBEZ, Troy Okay and Monte DJ.

Inside the historical courtyard of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in the dance and spoken word area, multidisciplinary movement artist Tobi Balogun, No Whahala Crew, the Zoryanna, Iggy Kelly, the Congolese Community in Ireland, and more will take to the stage.  

The Dublin event will also see over 20 organisations take part in a ‘cultural village’ to showcase art and culture from across Africa. Among those participating in the cultural village are the Uganda Association of Ireland, AkiDwA: Migrant Women's Advocacy Network, Zambia Ireland Association, Image of Africa, Gospel Music Ireland and the Association of Tanzanians in Ireland and many more.

The full event line up includes:

• Live music showcasing artists with links to Africa
• A cultural village providing local groups with an opportunity to highlight their culture, art, industry and craft
• Food vendors
• Children’s entertainment 

Africa Day at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham is organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs in partnership with Dublin City Council.

Speaking on the line-up launch, Africa Day 2023 ambassadors spoke about what Africa Day means to them, and what they think it means for Irish and African culture.

Celaviedmai is a hip-hop and rap artist.

“I'm so proud to be Irish but to have heritage somewhere so beautiful like Ivory Coast is extra special. Africa Day is a way to mark the place where our families and heritage originate from and show appreciation and love to our ancestors.

"Not only will this day allow us to showcase our work, talent and art, it will unify us .This is a celebration that will allow us to move in strength, unity, love and joy and I’m so grateful to be a part of something so special," he said.

Laois women fighting fires and challenging stereotypes

 Tobi Balogun is a multidisciplinary.

“Africa Day is a coming together of the vibrant, diverse cultures from the African continent present in Ireland. Growing up in Ireland from young, being African/Irish wasn’t always seen as a celebratory thing. So over the years it’s been incredible to see communities be able to come together, share their culture and their uniqueness with each other as well as the larger Irish community.

"It is a great celebration of all the valuable, positive impact these cultures have had on Ireland. Creatively, through music, fashion, dance and within communities also. I will be in attendance as I have been in previous years and am looking forward to the performances, the food, the vibrant clothing," he said.

Umoja Linn fashion retail site is co-owned by China Soribe and Liswa McDonald.

“As Africans in the diaspora, we are proud to take part in the annual celebrations of Africa Day. For us, Africa Day is an opportunity to intentionally celebrate African diversity and success. 

"Africa is endowed with diverse cultural heritage and with that comes the beautiful prints and styles which us at Umoja linn celebrate proudly and are honoured to share with the world. As we celebrate our beautiful continent through its audacious prints, vibrant music, and delicious food, we also get a chance to highlight the economic potential that exists within Africa, and while we do all this throughout the year, for Africa Day we are intentionally in the forefront!” MORE BELOW PICTURE.

For more information visit:

Website- www.AfricaDay.ie
Twitter- @AfricaDay
Instagram- @africadayireland
Facebook- Africa Day