[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLWIKZ2BPPI&w=640&h=360]
Showcasing the Beauty, Richness, and Diversity of African Culture. 54 Countries. One Continent and the African Diaspora, the 6th Region of the African Union. Harlem, New York, USA The 5th Annual African Day Parade and Festival will take place on Sunday, October 9th 2011 in Harlem, New York.
The Parade will start at 10AM , from 135th Street to 122 nd street along Malcolm X Boulevard (Lenox avenue), Harlem and Commence at 122nd and Marcus Garvey Park.
The theme of this year’s Event is “the Year For People of African descent,” and its objective is as always, to bring people from Africa, the Diaspora, and everyone together, in appreciation of the African Culture. The African Day Parade has been an ongoing whirlwind event which has captured the hearts of many from its inauguration in 2007. In that, in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 more than 40 marching groups, dozens of Performers, and hundreds of participants from Africa, the Americas and other parts of world marched in the parade and was enjoyed by more than 20,000 spectators. Participants included, drummers, dancers, children, associations, bands, singers, and various groups, from more than 25 countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya,Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Niger, Benin, Namibia, South Africa, Honduras, Haiti, Trinidad and more. This year we are expecting groups from North Africa, Panama and other countries, to join us in even greater numbers, and we hope to have more stunning African Masked Dancers in the Parade. The US secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, announced on behalf of the United Nation and the Organization of American States, that 2011 is the International Year for People of African descent worldwide in March, earlier this year. On May 30th, the United Nation’s Africa Day conference, the African Union announced that African Diaspora is the 6th region of Africa. This means that around 200 million people who identify themselves as being of African descent living in the Americas, and many millions more live in other parts of the world, outside of the African continent have an official acknowledgement of their African heritage. This is considered a necessary step towards reparation of the identity crisis that has plagued African in Diaspora for so many years.
Senator Clinton also stated that “this is an opportunity for all of us around the globe to celebrate the diversity of our societies and to honor the contributions that our fellow citizens of African descent make every day to the economic, social and political fabrics of our communities.” While we expect this year’s celebration to take place everywhere in the world, it is quite understandable that the capital of parade and festival is Harlem, New York. This year’s theme, International Year for People of African descent, is based on a Parade of Kings and Queens of Africa. We are expecting Africans in Diaspora to parade in their own versions of Kings and Queens. We are looking forward to an even more pronounced parade and festival of costumes, integral cultures, colors, multi-ethnic, multi-national, and multi-cultural pride from a diverse group of Africans and African Diaspora. We are expecting participants from West, East, Central, Southern, and North Africa, as well as groups from Brazil, Unites States, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Caribbean, Honduras, Haiti, Dominican Republic, England, Germany, etc.
In the 21st century, diversity, openness, and tolerance are vital national assets. They strengthen our societies and expand our capacity to meet our shared challenges and to seize the new opportunities before us. Participating in this year’s parade is important, as it shows our cultural strength as a necessary asset in the new global era. So as we mark this International Year for People of African Descent, I hope you’ll join us in renewing our efforts to promote opportunity, understanding, and respect at home and all over the world. ”
We are looking forward to an increased coverage this year as we have grown bigger and better.
The African Day Parade and Festival is one of the first and most successful continental African Parades in New York, if not the USA, and is also one of the most diverse African Cultural events in the City.
Please contact Mr. Kone Mamadou (646-934-7337) , Nana Brenyah PR (917-370-4577). or via e-mail at AfricanDayParade@yahoo.com for further inquiries.
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