By: Mohamed Jalloh
The AfriCarribbean festival that caught the imagination of Sierra Leoneans from December 28th2022 –January 2nd 2023 will be organized this year for the second consecutive time during the same festive period.
Mr Dana Labor one of the astute organizers said he aims to bring Caribbeans this time to invest in Sierra Leone as a way of boosting the economy and provide jobs for the youths of this country.
Just as it happened last year, the Africaribbean festival will serve as a platform for the exchange of culture, arts, heritage, values, music, musical instruments, films, dance and food between Africans and Carribbeans.
“I have attended several festivals in the Caribbean and around the world and I thought to myself why not bring the carnival to Sierra Leone that has a unique cultural and historical relationship with Caribbean people”. Mr Labour explained.
Mr Labor reveals that this time he wants to involve entertainers from neighboring Guinea and Liberia to grace the event as a way of increasing the scope of the AfriCaribbean festival.
This historical initiative as described by Mr Dana Labor is “designed to bring together Africans, Caribbeans, African-Americans and Afro-Latinos through Soca Music, Arts, Culture and ancestry.” Staying true to its mission, one of AfriCaribbean’s visions is to support Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Returnee Program.
Through recognition, it is their hope to assist AfriCaribbean patrons with determining if their lineage is that of Sierra Leonean.
As the organization continues preparation for year two which runs from December 28 2023 through January 2 2024, Labor hopes that “Different Caribbean countries will see the cultural exchange opportunities between the Caribbean and Sierra Leonean artistes and support our efforts.”
AfriCaribbean is the ultimate two-for-one special as patrons can check Africa off their bucket list while enjoying the culture with tours to historical sites, and partying the Caribbean way. All relevant information pertaining to the AfriCaribbean Festival can be found via the official website www.africaribbeanfestival.com. The organizers wish to extend their sincerest gratitude to the persons listed below for their contributions to the success of the inaugural AfriCaribbean Festival. – Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs – Hon. Dr. Memunatu Pratt – General Manager National Tourist Board Sierra Leone – Fatmata Mida Hamid Carew – Mayor of City of Freetown – Her Lordship Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE – Ambassador to Senegal for Sierra Leone -His Excellency Alhaji Brima Elvis Koroma – High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to Kenya – Her Excellency Isatu Aminata Bundu