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Ireland Celebrates Africa Day

Development Education, News/feature, Ireland, Africa, 2014
Uche Gabriel Akujobi leads the African drumming workshop helped along by Sally North (4) at the Irish Aid tent, Africa Day 2014

Uche Gabriel Akujobi leads the African drumming workshop helped along by Sally.

Ireland once more celebrated its valuable links with the continent of Africa through the annual Africa Day celebrations. Africa Day falls on 25 May, marking the anniversary of the founding of the African Union.

Since 2008, Irish Aid has organised a programme of nationwide events to mark Africa Day, celebrating Ireland’s relationship with the African continent. This year, we held a number of events nationally including concerts, workshops, panel discussions and parades, with the flagship event in Dublin drawing a crowd of 27,000, despite poor weather.

Africa Day offers an opportunity for the African Diaspora to highlight the wealth and diversity of African cultures. Through, music, dance, art and storytelling, Africa Day offers an opportunity for the Irish public to engage with Africa in a fun family environment.

It offers Irish Aid an opportunity to engage with the Irish public, raising awareness about our overseas development programme and encouraging a deeper understanding of the work of Irish Aid.  Fostering positive attitudes towards Africa and the diversity of the continent serves to raise awareness of the potential for bilateral trade and investment. 

The crowds enjoying Africa Day 2014 in Farmleign Estate, Phoenix Park. Photo: Irish Aid / Conor O'Mearáin