Afro Fest returns for second year since post-COVID rebirth

Afro Fest will run from Oct. 3 to Oct. 4 in the city of Fredericton, including Officer's Square. (Brianna Lyttle/AQ)

Afro Fest, the fastest growing cultural festival in Atlantic Canada, according to executive producer Saa Andrew Gbongbor, had its most recent iteration on Oct. 3 and 4. 

The festival celebrates African culture in New Brunswick with music, food, and dance, open to the community at large.

Gbongbor described Afro Fest as being in a post-COVID-19 rebirth.

While the first iteration took place in 2016, the festival shut down for several years due to pandemic restrictions, with last year’s being the first since 2018.

“New Brunswick is becoming very diverse, and the best way to showcase this is to allow these different cultures to showcase what they have and everyone can come and enjoy,” said Gbongbor.

He said his favourite part of Afro Fest is meeting new people and sharing different cultures, as well as watching the performances and trying new foods.

“Africa does not have [only] one culture; allowing that to showcase itself in a very fun and creative way, a community way, that’s the best part for me.”

Along with the main festival in October, Pre-Afro Fest takes place in the summer across New Brunswick, including Caraquet, Moncton and Dieppe.

“It gives an opportunity to the community members to come out in large numbers, to celebrate everybody, to put on their cultural dress … we’re bringing it to you and letting you know that the grand finale is going to be in Fredericton," said Gbongbor.

Afro fest stalls at the Officer's Square on Oct. 4. (Brianna Lyttle/AQ)

Melanie Nagbe, emcee and performer for the Afro Fest since 2016, began as a member of a dance team and has gone on to open her own dance studio.

Nagbe noted that the festival does not have as much involvement as it used to, with it still building back up after the years of inactivity. 

One standout memory for her during her time with Afro Fest was the experience she had in 2018, when acrobatic performers and Burundian drummers came to Moncton.

“I missed that so much and that's why I wanted it to come back,” said Nagbe. “I kept asking [Gbongbor], ‘When is it happening? Where is it happening?’”

Nagbe said that the festival aims to give a platform to young Africans.

“If any African youth want to showcase their business, show what they have, or showcase their talent, then that's an opportunity for them too … We want to give opportunities to African youth because it’s not something that they get all the time.”

Out of all the festival events, the gala at the Fredericton Convention Centre was what Gbongbor was most excited for. 

This year also marked the first time The Beaverbrook Art Gallery hosted a meet-and-greet event, with the intention of showing people different Fredericton locations, contributions and vibrant culture that African New Brunswickers have brought to the community.

Gbongbor said that people should “come learn something new, or to come share, to come make new friends, and to celebrate and be part of the vibrant diversity Fredericton and New Brunswick have to offer.”