L-R: Ambassador Mr. Felix Yusufu Pwol of Nigeria, Ambassador Mrs. Lela-alem Gebreyohannes of Ethiopia, Minister Joe Costello, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Ambassador Catherine Muigai Mwangi of Kenya, Ambassador Mr. Anas Khales of Morocco & Ambassador Mr. Paramente Phamotse of Lesotho
Tánaiste welcomes thousands to celebrate Africa Day at Farmleigh Estate
26/5/13
Tánaiste welcomes thousands to celebrate Africa Day at Farmleigh Estate
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., together with the Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello T.D., today welcomed thousands of people to Farmleigh Estate in Dublin’s Phoenix Park to celebrate Ireland’s sixth annual Africa Day.
Africa Day falls on May 25 each year and is celebrated internationally to mark African diversity and success, and the cultural and economic potential of the continent.
Family fun days, cultural performances, public lectures, trade-focused events and sports activities are among the events being held in Dublin, Limerick, Waterford, Cork and Galway to celebrate Africa Day 2013. The programme is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through Irish Aid.
At Farmleigh today, thousands of people are enjoying a showcase of African music, food and culture, with performances across two stages, a kids’ zone, sports activities and a speakers’ corner where debates on Ireland’s changing relationship with Africa and the African Union are taking place.
Speaking at the event, the Tánaiste said:
“Africa Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our enduring ties with Africa, and the exciting changes taking place across this dynamic continent. Africa still faces many challenges, but is making remarkable progress. Today, 40 million more children are in school than a decade ago, and the rate of HIV infection has fallen by up to three-quarters.
“Africans are trading more both within the continent and with the rest of the world. Economic growth is expected to surpass 5 percent each year to 2015 and a new Africa middle class is emerging. And, crucially, there are more African countries at peace and building democratic institutions than ever before.
“Africa Day celebrations this week are a great opportunity for Irish and African communities to celebrate African cultures and traditions and to reflect upon our maturing relationship, which is increasingly focused on politics, democracy and trade.”
Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello said:
“Ireland has forged strong and enduring connections with Africa over many decades through the work of Irish missionaries and aid workers. More recently, many African people have made Ireland their home, contributing so much to our communities, our culture and our economy.
“We are also seeing a welcome increase in our trade and business links. There is much to celebrate today on the 50th anniversary of the African Union.
“I would like to thank all of those who have given time and energy to organising this exciting programme of events, particularly the African Embassies and communities, and the local authorities in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford who have provided strong support.”
A full programme of Africa Day events is available at http://africaday.ie
26 May 2013
- For further information, please contact Fionnuala Quinlan, Press Adviser, Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 01-4082653 or 087-9099975.
Note for Editors
- Irish Aid is the Government’s programme for overseas development. It is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- Africa Day on May 25 is the official day of the African Union and marks African unity. The official theme for 2013 is ‘Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance’. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the African Union.
- Irish Aid has been active in supporting and promoting Africa Day since 2008. This year the main focus is on support for community groups, cultural and educational initiatives.
- The Africa Day 2013 programme of events features:
- The first Africa Day celebrations organised in conjunction with Waterford City Council. The programme features a film screening of ‘The First Grader’, workshops and live music.
- An African Arts and Crafts exhibition organised by the African Embassies in the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre in O’Connell Street.
- African Film Festival and a music celebration hosted by Galway City Council.
- Limerick City Council organised an extensive programme featuring African musicians, food fairs, arts and crafts, sports events and a symposium entitled Development and Trade – the Relationship between Ireland and Africa.
- Cork City Council hosted a seminar on contemporary African issues and an extensive programme of cultural events.