Irish Aid’s flagship Africa Day celebration will take place in the grounds of Limerick City Hall, Merchant’s Quay, on Sunday, 30th May from 12 noon – 6pm. The event is free-of-charge and family-focused, with a special programme for children which includes storytelling sessions, jigsaw puzzle competitions and sports and art activities.

Africa Day Limerick is hosted by Irish Aid, Ireland’s overseas development programme, and Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power TD, will address the event from the Music Stage at 3.30pm.

Speaking ahead of Irish Aid’s Africa Day Limerick, Minister Power said:

“Sunday’s celebration in Limerick will be the culmination of the Africa Day programme for 2010. I’m delighted with the success of the Africa Day celebrations this year and I’m proud that Irish Aid has hosted such a rich and colourful programme of events.

“Africa Day Limerick offers an opportunity for us to highlight our links with Africa and celebrate the culture and customs of the continent and of African people living in Ireland. Last year over 5,000 people attended this event. Africa Day Limerick is a family day of celebration and it also gives the public an opportunity to learn more about the Government’s aid programme and the countries with which we work. I would encourage people to come and enjoy a great day out and learn more about development issues.”

Event highlights will include:

Music
The Music Stage at Africa Day Limerick will feature an exciting line-up of African and Irish artists. Performances include live sets by The Amazing Few, the Elikya Choir, Lady Sheila Musical Band, Lucky Crew, Grind Entertainment and the RnB group P-Starz.

African Bazaar
In the African Bazaar, visitors to Africa Day Limerick can learn how to prepare Cameroonian food, take part in drumming workshops, listen to the jembe drum, attend a Suya Feast, sit in on an African Storytelling session or learn how to perform traditional dances from the Congo and Togo. There will also be hair-braiding, delicious food samples from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Western Nigeria and South Africa, Malawian dancing, and arts and crafts displays from all over Africa.

Education Zone
Visitors to Africa Day Limerick can come along to the Education Zone to find out more about development issues through participating in fun, family-friendly activities: write a letter to Lesotho; take part in a jigsaw puzzle competition, enter a drumming contest, view the ‘Africa Also Smiles’ poster campaign and sample free Fairtrade produce. There will also be an Africa Picture Food Quiz for children and an exhibition, ‘Breaking the Barrier’ about disability in Lesotho on display.

Arts and Crafts
In the arts and crafts area, visitors can view a photographic exhibition from Nigeria, browse displays of colourful crafts and see an African Art Exhibition produced by the New Communities Partnership jointly with Abraham Lawal, an African art’s promoter. This exhibition features work from various tribes in Africa including the Ashanti of Ghana, the Baluba in the Congo, the Bambara of West Africa, the Nok peoples from Nigeria and the Yoruba tribe.

Embassies Section
In the Embassies Section, visitors will be able to meet representatives from participating embassies including; Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Kenya Embassy; Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho; Embassy of Nigeria and the South African Embassy. Visitors will also have an opportunity to sample food, culture and art from these African countries.

Sports and Play area
The ever popular sports and play area will be back for Africa Day Limerick in 2010.  Sports activities will be offered by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), who will be hosting numerous activities over the course of the day.  These will include mini-matches and skill-based challenges where eager children can hone their football skills, hurling workshops and mini-competitions in the grounds of Limerick City Hall. Children can also participate in art activities, drumming contests and jigsaw competitions during the day.

Food
This year at Africa Day Limerick, there will be several African food vendors offering a wide variety of authentic African food and drinks for purchase. Visitors wishing to bring their own food can also have a picnic in the grounds of Limerick City Hall.

Full details of the programme for Africa Day Limerick are available at www.africaday.ie

ENDS
27 May, 2010

•           Irish Aid is the Government’s programme for overseas assistance. It is a division of the Department of Foreign Affairs. For further information on Irish Aid, visit www.irishaid.gov.ie

•           For further information or an interview with Minister Peter Power, contact Fionnuala Quinlan, press officer, Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs on 01-4082653 or 087-9099975