| Afrika Festival Hertme | |
|---|---|
 Stage of the open air theatre Hertme | |
| Genre | African music |
| Dates | July |
| Location(s) | Hertme, Netherlands |
| Years active | 1989–2019, 2022-present |
| Attendance | 4000 (2019) |
| Website | https://openluchttheaterhertme.nl/afrikafestival/en |
The Afrika Festival Hertme is an annual two day festival of African music in the Dutch village of Hertme.
History
It started spontaneously in 1989, with a performance by a dance group from Burkina Faso. Thousands of people come and there are many stalls selling exotic food and merchandise. The festival celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013, thanks in part to the efforts of retired general practitioner and organizer Rob Lokin. [1] He was awarded the Silver Carnation in 2010 for this work. [2] It is supported by about 400 volunteers and is a major enterprise for a village of 500 residents. As well as the main stage there is an African market with over a hundred stands, caterers with mostly African snacks and a side program of dance and music. [3] In 2013, 2014 and 2015 the magazine Songlines voted the Africa Festival one of the 25 best festivals in Europe. In 2019 there were 4000 attendees. [4] In 2020 it was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands. [5] In 2021 it took place online. [6] It returned in reality in 2022. [7]
Performing artists (selection)
Artists who have performed at the festival include:
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References
- ^ "'25 jaar Afrika in Hertme'". Music Frames. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ "Rob Lokin". Reformatorisch Dagblad. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ "Vrouwen domineren op het Afrika Festival in Hertme". Tubantia. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ "Afrika Festival geolied van start". BorneBoiet. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ "Openluchttheater Hertme cancelt alles tot augustus, ook Afrika Festival". RTV Oost. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ "Afrika Festival in Hertme, maar dan net even anders". Tubantia. 4 July 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ "Komend weekend weer Afrika Festival in Hertme: 'Nu ook optredens in het Spookhoes'". Tubantia. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.