BAAF 2015

BAAF

EVALUATION REPORT 16-20TH JUNE,2015

Bergen Afro Arts Festival | BAAF

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CONTENTS

Festival Program The festival of words The festival in photos Media coverage Bergen African Arts Festival Testimonies Festival Economy Sponsors

www.baafest.org

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BERGEN AFRO ARTS FESTIVAL 2ND EDITION

Artister: Charlotte Meering (Yoga instructorr), Glinller Strauss (Zumbainstuktør), Unicorn Crew (Dans), Kingsely Bergen Afro Arts Festival 1.utgave Anowi (Hip Hop artist), Mophatho Dance Theatre Foredragsholdere og talere: (Botswana dansegruppe), John Pfumojena & Jimu Rabison Shumba (coach, motivation speaker, author) Makurumbandi (Zimbabweisk Mbira-spiller, WillyAnita (Kirkens bymisjon, Leve med HIV prosjektet) Freddy Shanti (Sanger), Black O (Hip Hop artist), Silje Hjemdal (Bergen kommune) Sherika Sherard (Afrojazz soloist), StiGi van Eijk(Hip Willy- Freddy Shanti (Artist fra Uganda som lever Hop, Reggae artist), Simba Dance Ensemble med HIV)Simbarashe Norman Fulukia (BAAF leder) (Moderne dans), Fawzia Erum (Ansiktsmaler), DJ Sky (Liberia) Festival lokasjoner: Byparken/ Musikkpaviljongen Cafe Sanaa Festplassen Gimle Littreturehuset i Bergen Bergen Danssentre

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www.baafest.org

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Worth mentioning that the Bergen Afro Arts Festival 2015 was sponsored by Bergen Kommune, Norsk Kulturrådet and Fana Sparebank, the first edition of the Bergen Afro Arts Festival took place in Bergen June of 2014. As a result of the resounding success and increasing public attention, it was decided to expand the festival to include various venues where African (immigrants) public don’t normal utilize venues like Litterateur house.

The second edition of the festival was held under the philosophy of ubuntu theme Care Today Hope Tomorrow. The festival is designed in the spirit of celebrating ubuntu so as to promote the integration between the locals and the new arrivals. “With this theme BAAF seek to spread the gospel of the philosophy of ubuntu and all the African artistes who come for the festival carry in them unseen African identity which is raw, original and their music, dance/stories speaks to more than one group of people, its universal with a deep African feel and they blend well in our inclusive festival which is not only for Africans, but for all.”

By organising the festival, Simbarashe seeks to introduce various African cultures around the world to the Bergen-Hordaland community, and add a new product to the Bergen’s repertoire of tourist, art, and cultural attractions. Simbarashe values creativity, originality, integrity, diversity and critical reflection, artistes, audiences and partnerships.

The second edition of Bergen Afro Arts Festival started with a pre-opening on the 13th June in Bømlo Kulturhus were Simba Dance Ensemble premiered “Nguva” a modern dance production choreographed by Simbarashe Norman Fulukia the artistic director of the ensemble and festival.

After this successful performance of dance in Bømlo which ended with a standing ovation it was time to officially open the second edition of Bergen Afro Arts Festival in Bergen two hours from Bømlo.

Simba Dance Ensemble-S.I.D.E in Bømlo Kulturhus

2015

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On 16th June at Litterateur house in Bergen a Zimbabwean based coach, motional speaker, author Rabison Shumba took the podium to enlighten the audience half packed Litterateur house auditorium. Alongside this evening was participation of international singers, artists and ensembles from 5 African countries + local Bergen’s. The day was coordinated by Dora Loro Poni one of the festivals coordinators.

www.baafest.org

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Rabison Shumba(Zimbabwe) Dora Poni Loro (South Sudan)Willy Freddy Shanti & Kaybati (Uganda) at littreature house in Bergen The 17th of June was the official opening of the 2nd edition of BAAF which was marked by a dinner ceremony of delicate African cuisine, entertainment and welcoming speech by Silje Hjemdal from Bergen Kommune.

“Diversity is the one true thing we have in common.” Now that’s something to embrace”.

www.baafest.org

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At the Heart of Bergen city centre, at the Music Pavilion, the guest dance company from Botswana displayed a colorful glimpse of their folk dance and music which left Bergen audience asking for more

Mophotho Dance Theatre from Botswana at music pavillion

The festival’s concerts were at CafÊ Sanaa and Festplassen at the Heart of Bergen city on Friday, 19th and Saturday 20th

Bergen Local Artist, Kingsley Anowi on Saturday last concert at Festplassen in Bergen

Kids and professional dance and music workshop, Ubuntu Interactive space, Afro market

Afro Mob Dance led by Bergen based Simba Dance Ensemble ft. Mophatho Dance Theatre from Botswana at closing day of the festival (20th June, 2015 at Festplassen

MEDIA https://www.bergen.kommune.no/omkommunen/avdelinger/byradsavd-for-sosial-bolig-ogomradesatsing/9129/article-127497 https://www.facebook.com/magazinebas http://www.basmagazine.com/does-a-sleepless-festival-chief-have-any-dreams/ https://www.newsday.co.zw/2015/06/17/mbare-prodigy-dances-his-way-to-norway/

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TESTIMONIES "Diversity is not a threat" - Silje Hjemdal from Bergen Kommune Bård S. Larsen

feeling great at Cafe Sanaa 20 June ·

Thanks for the great music and a fun jam! Be back soon Gunnar Nilsen "Botswana in our hearts" - Bergen Afro Arts Festival - professional dance group from Botswana on visit performed at Festplassen yesterday, was a great show.

Bjørn Blomberg Exhausted but happy after a weekend with BAAF - Bergen Afro Arts Festival - at Cafe Sanaa.

Very special thanks to Simba and friends for bringing an amazing selection of great musicians to our little cafe this weekend. It kicked off Friday with Stig Van Eijk reggae band stirring up the place. Then the great Sherika Sherard from London spellbound the packed cafe, before a nice jam with great Cafe Sanaa friends. On Saturday a high-energy combo with Bafana (Soweto), John Pfumojena (Zimbabwe), and the hard-swinging kora-player Ibou Cissokho (Senegal/Oslo) got the place on fire, before another sweet jam session led by Zimbabwean kora player Jimu Makurumbandi. Thanks to all who came and enjoyed music at Sanaa this weekend Victor Chimhutu Bergen Afro Arts Festival (BAAF), what a week ---Mapatho Dance group all the way from Botswana -! Hope to see all of you again next year for the 3rd edition---stay blessed!

Anita Bakken shared BAS magazine's photo.

Tusen takk til blant andre Dora Loro og Francine M Jensen for fantastisk flotte dager og et mangfoldig og spennende program på BAAF- Bergen Afro Arts Festival Dora Loro Poni Hello BAAF family!! Thanks for 5 enriching days of inspiration and positive energy. Hope you are all well after so much work you all had to do... Again you gave the people of Bergen an unforgettable experience of African Culture, music and fellowship... Thumbs up!

John Pfumojena "One stop shop for the best of African Arts in Bergen" Mamello Mame Magabo Unifying

www.baafest.org

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Festival Report Preeyar Pro '' Thanks for bringing us the beautiful moment, ''and this is Beauty of Africans ''

Festival Economy With humble beginnings in 2014 we managed to pull through with only Kr 65 000.On our second edition we were blessed with Kr 150 000 more, Kr 215 000 in funds from various funds and cultural funds for the second edition. Bergen Kommune gave us Kr 120 000. Then we got answers to application and granted Kr 65 000 by Norsk Kulturådet. We also received Kr 30 000 from Fana Sparebank.

Our main challenge with arranging the festival, and also one of the things which is really making things more costly than should be necessary is the fact that funding are coming late.

Since we are a nonprofit organization, not in it for money, and not earning anything on arranging we tend to come short, and having to spend our own personal incomes to cover some of the expenses. It`s hard to make deals and get signed contracts from artists and contributors ahead of time, without knowing how our real budget will be before maybe weeks before opening day of the festival. Booking of rooms, and also travel expenses, on top of everything else in this way becomes very costly, since we have to do things last minute.

Promoting campaigns for the festival is also difficult to start before we have a confirmed line up of artists and performances. This is something we seriously need to consider and find a solution to as we are now starting to plan Bergen Afro Arts Festival 2016.

As a diverse event Bergen Afro Arts Festival provides a lesson for each of us to be okay with and open to those things that set us apart – race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical and mental ability, language (the list goes on) and understanding and accepting of people for who they are.

Being culturally aware provides an opportunity to stand back and consider that there are certain backgrounds, personal values, beliefs and upbringings that shape the things we all do.

Something that is considered inappropriate behavior in one culture may be perfectly appropriate in another.

Learning about other cultures helps us relate to one another and be okay with different perspectives.

I saw this quote on a poster recently, and it’s stuck with me. “Diversity is the one true thing we have in common.” Now that’s something to embrace. And something we keen to contribute with in Bergen/Norway cultural life. Therefore funding this event is vital for cultural development; hope to get positive responses from your generous support in time such that we can use all our energy on promoting the event and hold educational forums and workshops.

www.baafest.org

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Inntekter Kostnader

Kr 215 000,00 kr 239 925,00

kr 24 925,00 FESTIVAL INNTEKT Andre Bidrag Bergen Kommune, Kulturrådet Fana Sparebank

kr 120 000,00 kr 65 000,00 kr 30 000,00 kr 215 000,00

Sum FESTIVAL UTGIFTER kunstnerisk kostnad Norge Kunstnere, honarar Intnl. Kunstnere, honarar Overnating Reise

kr 28 789,00 kr 28 257,00 kr 71 259,00 kr 21 007,00

Produksjonskostnad Mobil scene Utstry Utleie Scene og studio Utleie Mat Admin Prosjekt koordinator Økonomiansvarlig PR manager Andre Markedføring Utskrift reklame

av/utenddørs lydnlegg 5 dager 1 uke

kr 12 000,00 Kr 6 180,00 kr 6 300,00 kr 24 622,00

1 1

kr 5 000,00 kr 5 000,00

1

kr 5 000,00 kr 6 000,00

program, posters, banner SUMM

kr 12 511,00 kr 8 000,00 kr 239 925,00

NB! Beløpene er inklusiv mva

www.baafest.org

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Sponsors

Partners Simba Dance Ensemble, Café Sanaa, Sky Entertainment, Literature house Bergen, Gimle, Bømlo Kulturhus, Bømlo Kulturskole. Kirkens Bymisjon, Living with HIV and Batteriet, Francine M Jensen, Prayer Pro & Gunnar Nilsen (fotos & vedio)

www.baafest.org

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