Hair braiding, face painting, and dance performances in Taipei on May 25 to celebrate Africa Day

By MOOK Travel Life Network, compiled and reported by Li Xinyi

African countries gathered in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on May 25, 1963, to jointly establish the Organization of African Unity (OAU), marking the beginning of African nations’ autonomous move toward regional integration. Since then, May 25 has been designated as “Africa Day.” To celebrate Africa Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold the “2012 African Fashion and Culture Exhibition” at Taipei’s Shin Yeh New World from May 26 to 27. The event will feature rare African dance performances and art and cultural exhibits.

African culture is relatively unfamiliar to most people. The “2012 African Fashion and Culture Exhibition” will display approximately 500 pieces of African art, including textiles, wood carvings, bronze sculptures, and masks, along with 30 paintings by African children. Expert commentary on the artworks will help visitors gain a deeper understanding of African culture. In addition, free hands-on activities will be offered on-site, such as African hair braiding, face painting, clothing styling, and music lessons.

For stage performances, the National Dance Troupe of Burkina Faso (Ballet National du Burkina), a friendly nation in West Africa, has been invited to Taiwan to showcase the dynamism and rhythm of Africa. Additionally, three models from the studio of renowned African designer Clara Lawson Ames will join African students in a fashion show, displaying both traditional and modern African attire. The event will also include performances by two domestic African cultural groups: the “Shock Brass Band” and “Xi Ban Zi.”

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