Celebration of African culture in Derry to mark Africa Day

Derry city centre was filled with the pulsating rhythms of African drums and the mouthwatering scents of African cuisine last weekend, as people came together to mark Africa Day.

The celebration in St Columb’s Hall was organised by the African Caribbean Community Network (ACCN), supported by Apex Housing Association (Apex) through the ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.  The event was also supported by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Derry City and Strabane District Council.

IN PICTURES: Derry hosts celebration of African culture

The free family event took place on Saturday 25 May with around 600 people in attendance, including Mayor of Derry City & Strabane, Cllr Patricia Logue.  Families were treated to music and dance, arts and crafts, face-painting, and a taste of authentic African cuisine. 

Doreen Murugi, Founder of ACCN, commented: “It was a delight to bring people together to mark Africa Day.  It was an occasion to highlight diversity and educate the community about our various cultures and traditions, fostering a spirit of unity within the broader community.”

Sheena McCallion, Chief Executive of Apex, speaking at the event said: “It is my absolute pleasure to be here and to lend our support through the ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.  This celebration of African culture in the heart of the city is a feast for the eyes, and I thank and congratulate the African Caribbean Community Network for sharing their rich culture with us at such a vibrant and inclusive event.”

The Africa Day event was supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.  The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. 

Apex currently has twelve shared neighbourhoods across Northern Ireland, with five of these attending the Africa Day celebrations – Woodlands Avenue in Culmore, Dunineany View in Ballycastle, Ballynafoy Close in Belfast, Areema Grove in Dunmurry and Sycamore Drive in Dungannon. 

£21.5m has been invested in these shared neighbourhoods and their associated good relations plans.  In each neighbourhood, Apex works in partnership with local advisory group stakeholders and residents to develop and deliver a good relations plan for the area.  This plan includes ‘bridging’ events which are delivered to the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes which include health and wellbeing, arts and culture, education and training.