The Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST)
PANAFEST is a biannual cultural event held in Ghana, West Africa. The festival was first organized in 1992 and has since become a significant cultural event on the African continent, attracting people worldwide.
The aim of PANAFEST is to promote unity, solidarity, and Pan-Africanism through arts and culture. The festival brings together people of African descent from all over the world to celebrate their heritage and cultural identity. It is a platform for African artists, scholars, and intellectuals to showcase their talents and exchange ideas on the cultural, economic, and political issues facing Africa and its people.
The festival is usually held in the month of July and lasts for two weeks. The opening ceremony is held at the Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a former slave trade center in Ghana. A ceremony is a solemn event that pays homage to the millions of Africans who were taken away from their homeland and enslaved in the Americas and the Caribbean.
The festival features a wide range of events, including traditional music and dance performances, drama, film screenings, poetry readings, and art exhibitions. There are academic conferences, seminars, and workshops that focus on various aspects of African history, culture, and development.
One of the festival’s highlights is the Emancipation Day Durbar, a colorful procession featuring traditional leaders, chiefs, and queen mothers from various regions of Ghana. The procession is accompanied by drumming, dancing, and the firing of muskets, and culminates in a grand durbar where the chiefs and queen mothers deliver speeches on the importance of Pan-Africanism and the need for unity among Africans.
Another important event is the Wreath-laying ceremony, which is held at the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Center for Pan-African Culture in Accra. The ceremony is a tribute to Du Bois, an American Pan-Africanist and civil rights leader who spent the latter part of his life in Ghana. The ceremony is attended by government officials, diplomats, and members of the Pan-African community.
PANAFEST is an important event for Ghana and the African continent as it provides a platform for Africans and people of African descent to gather and celebrate their common heritage and identity. The festival promotes tourism and economic development in Ghana, as visitors from all over the world come to experience the rich cultural traditions of the country.
PANAFEST is a must-see cultural event for anyone interested in African history, culture, and development. The festival offers a unique opportunity to learn about Africa’s rich cultural traditions and connect with people of African descent from all over the world. So, plan your trip to Ghana and experience the magic of PANAFEST.
