Seoul Africa Festival prepares to celebrate 7th edition

A poster for Seoul Africa Festival, opening this weekend / Courtesy of Africa Insight

The annual Seoul Africa Festival is preparing for its 7th run this Saturday at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul.

The festival will kick off at noon, with a parade and opening ceremony, followed by various performances and the highly anticipated Asia Africa Talent Award competition, the first and largest talent competition of its kind in Asia.

According to a press release, this event is poised to shine a spotlight on the diverse talents of the African diaspora living here and the local artists passionate about African culture. The festival is set to be a platform for visitors to see and experience different African cultures, through booths, family-friendly activities and cultural exhibitions arranged by various African embassies, NGOs, educational institutions and social enterprises.

Organized by Africa Insight, a nonprofit organization, the event fosters dialogue and cooperation between Africa and Asia, creating an unforgettable cultural experience that strengthens ties through the arts. Since 2016, the Seoul Africa Festival has been the first and the largest in the history of Korea that celebrates Africa and promotes the various African communities here. The festival has consistently drawn more than 50,000 attendees each year for the past six years.

The Asia Africa Talent Award, first launched in 2019 under the name "Africa's Got Talent," is getting an upgrade this year. This year's program is designed to introduce the various charms of the African continent and to build a network between artists with talent and affection for African culture. It is not a competition-oriented audition program, instead. it provides a place for cooperation and harmony where participants share their talents and ideas. Out of more than 150 teams competing, eight have been selected to take the stage on Saturday.

In addition, about 40 models will be part of a fashion show at the festival.

A poster for the Asia Africa Talent Award / Courtesy of Africa Insight

Ahead of the upcoming festival, there have been various events hosted by the organizers. On Sept. 21, there were talent auditions and an ambassador appointment ceremony at Nevermind Lounge in Hongdae. There, Kim Miso, a well-known Moroccan influencer and singer, was officially appointed as the festival’s ambassador by Choi Dong-hwan, chairman of Africa Insight and former South Korean ambassador to Senegal. Known for her creative fusion of cultures, her latest single combines Korean, English and Arabic, creating a fresh take on the moombahton genre, known for its intense rhythms and evocative desert-inspired beats. The song's addictive hooks and vibrant energy mark a new trend in K-pop, blending African influences with modern Korean pop culture.

Notable African-origin personalities in Korea are expected to lead the events. The festival will be hosted by Kwon Soa and Jonathan. For the talent competitions, judges will include Greg, African dancer Daniel Ahifon and Kwon Eun-jeong, artistic director of TAGG African Dance Company. Korean musician Ha Reem will be given the “Guitar for Africa" award.

In addition, this year's festival brings more than just music and culture. It will also feature a groundbreaking collaboration with K-beauty brands, bringing together global beauty trends with African heritage. The diverse backgrounds of the participating brands and artists all share a common goal: to celebrate inclusivity and creativity in a global context.

Founded in 2013, Africa Insight is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting African culture, international cooperation and cross-cultural understanding. Their other programs include the Ubuntu Africa Global Citizen Education Project and various initiatives supporting African youth entrepreneurship. Visit africainsight.org for more information.

Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.