The OAK Initiative UK CIC, supported by University of Bradford, QM Records and African communities within Bradford, has announced the debut of the Bradford African Festival of Arts set to be held on Friday and Saturday at Centenary Square, Bradford.
The two-day cultural event is set to entertain the Bradford community and West Yorkshire with a showcase of the beauty of African culture in diverse music, dance, drama, cuisine, and more.
The Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA) is not just a cultural celebration, but also a catalyst for economic growth. By drawing in visitors and promoting tourism, the festival is aimed at giving a significant boost to the local economy.
According to the organisers, the dynamic marketplace, a key feature of the event, will be a treasure trove of authentic African crafts, textiles, and culinary delights.
The BAFA, endorsed by the local council as part of the Bradford City of Culture 2025 celebrations, is more than just a cultural event. It is a platform for cross-cultural dialogue, promoting inclusivity and reinforcing Bradford’s reputation as a diverse and welcoming city. The festival provides a stage for local talents to shine alongside international performers, fostering a sense of pride and community spirit that is synonymous with the city of Bradford. We are setting ambitious targets to challenge ourselves, to bring and set even more culture loose, into every corner of the City of Bradford, come next year when Bradford will be the city of culture.
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Dr Olushola Kolawole (OAK), the Festival Director and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead for the University of Bradford, School of Management is working together with leaders of other African communities such as Zimbabwe, Ghana, Cameron, Malawi, Caribbean, and other partners to ensure the diversity of the African culture in this multicultural city that has been home to diverse expressions of memorable events and heritage.
“Our co-curator Kafayat Adegoke of Art empathy, and Curiosities CIC is guided by regenerative principles, and shares the same vision and values as BAFA, in her dual arts sector capacity as a British theatre maker / dancer, and a cultural leader.
“She was instrumental in the current UK City of Culture 2025 win of the Bradford district; sitting firmly on the Bradford Producing Hub Creativity Council while pushing her voice in undoing gatekeeping within the arts sector, and to deliver real diversity – not only race (as popular opinion seem to lean that phrase on), but also inclusive of access for all creatives living with unseen disabilities.
“Kafayat believes it is time to develop a new narrative around equality, away from deficit models,” Dr. Kolawole said.
He added that Oluwatosin Omotola Ajayi will be playing the talking Drum or Gangan to welcome the Lords Mayors to the event. The Talking Drum, or “Gangan” among the Yoruba people, is a powerful emblem of African heritage.
Omotola’s performance aims to entertain and educate the audience about the cultural significance of the talking drum in Yoruba tradition. We are confident that this event will foster greater understanding of the African culture to attendees and tourists, foster participation of people in underrepresented communities in the creative and cultural sector and contribute to the social and economic growth of the city.
The festival kicks off on Friday 19th July with the opening ceremony in Bright Building, University of Bradford. The Leeds Trinity University Vice Chancellor Professor Charles Egbu will speak on the theme, My culture, My heritage. After the opening ceremony, there is an exhibition of the African continent by Ruth Agbolade. After the Exhibition, the event will be moved to Theatre in the Mill for drama and stage play performances. These will include the performance of Esther’s Revenge – a stage play written and directed by Kenneth Uphopho. And a drama performance by Chris Ihuewa one of the most prolific actors from the Nigerian Film Industry; Nollywood (a portmanteau of Nigeria, and the American major film hub – Hollywood).
The Saturday event starts at 10am, with Market Stalls, while the main event will start at 12noon. The closing event on Saturday will witness the Live music performance of our headliner Dele Sosimi Quartet, to round off the evening, after our local performers.
Dele Sosimi from the early years of his career, at the young age of 15, heralded the rhythm section of the Nigerian Afrobeat genre originator and social-change activist Fela Kuti’s collective, which served to catapult him into the upper echelons of the World Music category elite. Till this day, his grooves and unrelenting spirit are a true reflection of his complex sound fusions of jazz metal /horns /hybrid fiery percussion that cut across the African diaspora demographic. Each offering a powerful cultural sound that keeps a space alight, offers feelings of freedom, and a dynamism balm for life-changing encounters. Dele Sosimi was also the Afrobeat music consultant, and on the keyboard for the British National Theatre’s world-acclaimed West-end Broadway production of Fela!
Confirmed dignitaries attending BAFA include the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Lord Mayor of Kirklees, and Lord Mayor of Leed to mention a few. Also in attendance will be the senior executives of the University of Bradford; the Vice Chansellor, Prof. Shirley Congdon, Pro – Vice Chancellor of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Professor Udy Archibong, Professor Emeseh Engobo the interim Dean Faculty of Management, Law and Social Science.