Arrangement. Thursday 15. September starts the annual cultural festival Afrikan History Week (AHW), for the seventh time. Contemporary art and traditional expressions are combined here with historical information in a slightly different way than one might otherwise be accustomed to.

Chimaobi Ahamba, head of AHW's festival secretariat, still does not hesitate when he also from Ny Tid gets the typical question he has been asked quite a few times before:

- Why an African festival in Norway?

- Many, both inside and outside the African environment, have wondered about it. We believe first and foremost that this festival is important because there is far too rarely a focus on what Africans bring to this country. We are surgeons, have doctoral degrees at universities and colleges, but that does not seem to be the case, says Ahamba.

Since its inception in 2005, Afrikan History Week has had a pervasive theme: "Visible Invisible". It explains the head of the secretariat as follows:

- It's because if you take a walk on the streets of Oslo, you see an African here and there, but if you turn on the TV, it's harder to spot the positive African presence. We feel partly invisible. The negative is the only thing that comes out, says Ahamba.

VISITOR: Cuba-born artist Omar Sosa is one of the main attraction during this year's African History Week. PHOTO: OMARSOSA.COM

He says that there can often be more so-called ethnic Norwegians at AHW events than Africans. And that means that knowledge is also spread to the majority society.

edutainment

But at the same time, Ahamba emphasizes how important it is for minority children to get a different picture from the traditional African representation.

- When we first started, people were approached in shock: "A whole week with only Africa"? But after the seminars and lectures on African history and civilization, the reactions were that people wanted more. They asked, “Why is this not in elementary school? In middle school or high school? »Also elsewhere in society, there is very little information about African history and culture presented in a dignified and complementary manner.

- How important is music for the festival?

- Professional seminars and family events are popular, but that is not what primarily draws people here, so the concerts are important. We like the expression "edutainment" ("educational entertainment", editor's note), meaning that the artists want to add knowledge and make you reflect. We invite artists who can represent Africa and Africans in the diaspora in a good way.

- But for everyone who is not African-Norwegian, what does this festival have to offer?

- We present information and knowledge that you do not get anywhere else. This is a festival made by Africans, but not just for Africans, so here you can, whether you are Turkish, Pakistani or ethnic Norwegian, get insight into history, music and culture from our perspective, answers Chimaobi Ahamba in African History Week.

Music from Cuba

Africa Live connects Cuba-born star artist Omar Sosa to Norway.

BY MONICA IFEJILIKA

Vibrant. One of the highlights of Afrikan History Week (AHW) is the festival's big concert night: "Africa Live".

Each year, through the Cultural Festival's exchange program, a recognized Pan-African artist is invited to collaborate with artists from the African Diaspora. This year, the choice of composer and jazz pianist Omar Sosa (46), born in Cuba, now resides in Spain.

- It is a goal every year to find an artist who represents an African consciousness, one who represents the festival and our ideologies, and we are very happy to have Omar Sosa with us this year. He is Cuban, and through his music he has found the connection between the African continent and the diaspora, says the event's coordinator, Sheldon Blackman, himself an artist with a Caribbean background.

"Africa Live" is launched by 17. September at the National Scene.

Movie about the rebels

Hot topics are discussed with movies.

Film. Afrikan History Week's film event "The Eye That Sees" has presented films from the continent since the beginning of the festival. This year the topic is on fire, following the democratic revolutions in the North African countries.

In light of this year's global events, from Khartoum via London to Oslo, the evening has the theme "Rebel: New Revolt, Old History". The festival asks: “What is the difference between being dedicated and fundamentalist? Where is the border between political activism and extremism? ”

The answers will be discussed using film clips, a knowledgeable and diverse panel. and the audience.

- The idea is to create a platform for exchange of opinions. We cover current topics, and the strength of showing films is the broad appeal of the medium, says the evening's head, Lamisi Gurah Blackman. And concludes:

- This year in particular, it was important to ask: What makes people revolt? What makes them take to the streets?

"The Eye That Looks" will be held on Thursday, 15, September from 7 p.m. 19. The event is free and takes place at the National Scene, at Schous Square, in Oslo.

(This is an excerpt from Ny Tid's weekly magazine 09.09.2011. Read the whole by buying Ny Tid in newspaper retailers all over the country, or by subscribing to New Time - click here. Subscribers receive previous editions free of charge as PDF.)