África Vive 2015

Casa África, with Binter as an official sponsor, invites citizens to participate once again in África Vive, a celebration that lasts for a few weeks around Africa Day on 25th May, which commemorates the creation of the African Union.

África Vive is a Casa África initiative which was created with the vocation of using this celebration as an excuse to get to know ourselves better and to bring African and Spanish people nearer in a leisure and participating context.

With África Vive, Casa África aims to improve knowledge of the neighbouring continent in our country with a series of activities including cultural, political, economic and social activities seeking to encourage debate on the continent and its people, showing Africa in a positive and optimistic light that departs from prejudices and stereotypes that have been linked to African realities for too long.

The África Vive 2015 programme takes place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and in Madrid.

In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the activities culminate with a large festival for everybody which will be held outdoors on Saturday 6th June in the vicinity of the capital's Parque de Santa Catalina.

Programme for Las Palmas de Gran Canaria:

• 3rd June 7 p.m. Casa África. Show Cooking.
  African cooks will offer their dishes during a gastronomy day on the 6th June as part of the África Vive festival; they will offer a sample of their creations in the central courtyard of Casa África during that day.
  This event is possible thanks to the invaluable collaboration of Jumbo, supplier of indispensable products for African cuisine and which offers delicious recipes on its website.
• 5th June 9.00 a.m. Casa África. Information conference #ÁfricaEsNoticia: Conflicts in Africa. Spanish presence and new security challenges of the continent Casa África organises, in collaboration with the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies, this information day intended to make clear the importance of security on the African continent for the Spanish state and explain the contribution that our country makes to peace and stability in Africa. The conference includes specialists from academia and Defence and journalists specialised in the African continent who have covered crises and conflicts on the ground.
• 6th June From 11.00 a.m. Parque Santa Catalina. África Vive festival:
• From 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. Workshops inside the Miller building:
• From 11.00 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Children's workshops for Percussion, masks and plaits
• From 12.00 p.m. to 1.00 p.m.: African dance workshop with the Thioune Brothers. Aimed at adults and children over 7 years old
• From 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.: Kizomba dance workshop aimed at adults
• From 2.00p.m. to 4.00 p.m.: African Gastronomic Corner  represented by 8 countries + Africa Corner for Crafts and Fashion Africa, all seasoned with the best music.
• From 8.00 p.m. to 1.00 a.m.: African Gastronomic Corner +  African Crafts and Fashion Corner + Music Session
• Awarding of Casa Africa-FAAC prize to point out the values ​​and cooperation of people and institutions. This year, we want to reward an exemplary woman for her participation in the activities of the Federation: Ms. Secundina, from Equatorial Guinea, with pure vitality and charm, a cook and a regular contributor to African gastronomy events organised by Casa África.
• 13th June 5th África Vive 7-a-side football tournament Manuel Naranjo Sosa football pitch (next to Las Arenas Shopping Centre) As in previous years, the teams formed by the Federation of African Associations in the Canary Islands (FAAC) will compete in a soccer tournament. A recreational sporting event that serves to strengthen ties between communities. As always, admission is free and open to the public who wishes to attend.

The Madrid programme includes as in previous years the holding of Casa África's Diplomatic Council, with the meeting between the various African ambassadors established in our country and culminates with the África Vive concert, which this 2015 will take place on 9th July as part of the Restless Culture Festival. Two African music groups who are resident in Spain will act in it, they are the winners of the competition launched for them by Casa África; the Osibisa group and the Vis a Vis winners, the annual meeting organised by Casa áfrica and this year was held in Senegal.