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| Dr. Regina Jautz works for the Cultural Office in Stuttgart
and designated by the Office to be a member of the
organizing committee responsible for the 'Afrika festival'
in Stuttgart.
In her official role, she works together with African and
German members of the committee to make the festival a
success. In an interview with AFRITOPIC, she gives in an
insight to the development and aims of the festival.
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Afritopic: What is the aim of the 'Afrika
Festival' Stuttgart?
Jautz: With the festival, we would like
to present Africa and the African culture to the people in and
around Stuttgart. We would like to integrate Africans and the African
culture into the intercultural community life in Stuttgart.
Afritopic: When
was the festival initiated and what is the concept of the
festival?
Jautz: The festival was initiated last
year 2003, in a joint effort of the African community in Stuttgart
and the Kulturamt Stuttgart (cultural office, Stuttgart). This
year's festival is the second one we are organizing and we
are happy to see a big increase in the number off visitors
despite the bad weather. We try to find a concept that would
attract not only Africans but also people from different
nationalities, young and old.
continue>
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| African
fashion for kids and teens |
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Afritopic: How do you plan, organize and
coordinate the festival's programs?
Jautz: The
committee members from different countries including Germany,
Benin, Cameroon, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria work together as a
team. We do not have a position of the 'head of the
committee'. We discuss the concept and plan the program of
the festival together. After deciding on the program of events,
each member is assigned a set of tasks for which he/she is
responsible. However, everyone is ready to help wherever help
is needed. Organizing and coordinating the festival is not so
easy and involves a lot of work. But it's fun and we enjoy
doing it. |
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| A
child model at the fashion show |
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| Dr. Regina Jautz |
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Afritopic: How is
the festival financed?
Jautz: The major sponsor of the
festival is the cultural office, Stuttgart. The cultural
office supported the festival financially out of the budget
allocated to intercultural development projects. We also
received sponsorship from Daimler Chrysler AG. But the
financial support does not cover all the expenses. We have to
generate the rest of the finance through other means such as charging fees for stall spaces. We hope to have more sponsors
supporting the festival in the future due to the success of
the event.
Afritopic: Do you see any further
development of the festival in the future?
Jauttz: If the festival continues to be
successful and pulling large number of visitors, I could
imagine moving the location to a larger premise. I hope that
we would then be able to invite popular music groups and
stars. As you know, music stars are not cheap. But with gate
fees and concert fees the expenses could be covered.
Meanwhile, we love what we are doing and hope that the
visitors would be at the festival in high numbers again next
year.
End |
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| African
dancer
performing during the fashion show interlude |
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| Guy
Akame - a member of the festival's committee |
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| Akinyi Bittner organized the fashion show presented at
the 'Afrika Festival' in Stuttgart. A graduate of
education from Kenya, she is interested in entertainment and
event management. In a brief discussion with AFRITOPIC, she
talks about her area of interest and the motivation for her
activities. |
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| I attended fashion shows presented by some fashion
shops. I found them boring. My intention here at the festival
is to present a cultural show that combines traditional
African fashion with both traditional and modern African
music. The aim is
to make the audience develop interest in African culture
through entertainment and visual information. I keep an eye on the
show and watch the reaction of the audience. If I see the audience
getting involved, having fun, dancing or applauding the show,
then I know that the program is on the right track. But
whenever I notice that the show is getting boring or the
audience seems to be loosing interest, I would change the
program of the event impromptu. In this way I leave room for
improvisation. continue> |
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| Safnama-
Band from Senegambia performing |
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| I developed my interest in organizing entertaining events
while I was at school in Kenya. On coming to Germany, I found it
cold and relatively lonesome. I was the only black living in
my area. I did not want to be depressed. So, I decided to be
active and try to do what I love doing. I contacted the
Volkshochschule (School for adult education/evening classes)
to offer courses relating to African culture and women
movement. Through the contact, I realized that there is demand
for information on African culture as well as outlets for African
services and products in German. People in my class were
asking me for information. In most cases, I was able to provide
relevant information. People wanted to know for example, where
they could find an African musician, choir, hairdressing or
beauty expert. I also started receiving calls from more people
who needed information relating to afro-centric events. This
inspired me to start offering my competence in organizing and
managing events. I offered my competence for free. With time,
people started showing their appreciation with occasional gift
acknowledgements.
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| A
family at the festival |
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photo
album> |
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| Akinyi Bittner |
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| I would like to help in
organizing or coordinating as many events as possible. At the
end of the program of an event, It is
important for me to introduce those that participate in the event to the audience and share the credit
with all. I did exactly that at the end of the show in
Stuttgart. I presented those who donated the dresses and all
those who contributed to the show in one way or the other to
the audience with applause. In the future, I hope to be able
to introduce unknown African artists residing in Africa to the
German audience. End |
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| OPINIONS |
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| Catherine Diehl: I
am from Kenya. The festival is good for our business. It gives
us the opportunity to make friendly and business contacts.
People are interested in African culture and ask a lot of
questions concerning the products. Most of the customers want
to know which African country produces the sculptures I am
selling. Some are inquisitive about the materials of the
products, while others are interested in the design of my African dress. I have been able to sell
a few things
and the customers are happy. I hope to present my goods again at the festival
next year. |
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| Catherine Diehl |
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| Procy Schubert: The festival is nice but right
now the music is boring. I think that the management of the
event is not very good. I support the initiative and the
motives behind the festival. The festival is necessary to
promote African culture and products. I appreciate that. But
the organization and management needs some improvement. My
business focuses on Kenyan products especially Kenyan
handicrafts. Yes, the demand for African handicraft and
artworks is growing steadily and I hope it will continue to
grow.
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| Procy Schubert |
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