Afro Karibe Festival: four days celebrating Afro-Caribbean heritage
From 25 to 28 June, Philipsburg will host the first edition of the Afro Karibe Festival (AFKA). Music, dance, art, fashion, gastronomy and cultural heritage will be at the heart of this event dedicated to Afro-Caribbean cultures.
For four days, Sint Maarten will be celebrating the richness and diversity of Afro-Caribbean heritage. Held in Philipsburg, the Afro Karibe Festival is described by its organisers as a cultural movement aimed at strengthening ties between the region’s communities through a shared history.
The festival will open on Thursday 25 June with ‘House of Lemonade’ at Guana Bay, an evening designed as an introduction to creativity and conviviality. On Friday 26 June, the event will continue at Frontstreet in Philipsburg, with a free-to-attend day dedicated to an art exhibition. On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June, the festival will move to Emilio Wilson Park, where there will be concerts, workshops and entertainment, as well as an arts and crafts market.
Local talent comes together in Sint Maarten
The artistic programme brings together 24 artists from Curaçao, Saint Lucia and Haiti. On the music front, the audience can look forward to performances by Simpletune, Percy Rankin and Sigma, amongst others. Among the headliners is the Curaçaoan singer-songwriter Izaline Calister, known for blending her island’s musical traditions with jazz influences.
As well as the performances, the event also features a ‘cultural village’ offering workshops open to all. Visitors will be able to try their hand at various craft activities, discover traditional skills, or explore disciplines linked to wellbeing and Afro-descendant cultures. An exhibition will also bring together local and international artists to explore Afro-Caribbean heritage, colonisation and memory. Works by Ras Mosera, Claudio Arnell and Nica Labelle will be on display.
Gastronomy will also form part of the experience, with the festival showcasing Caribbean flavours and culinary culture. VIP and Premium passes include packages with drinks and a meal or snack. AFKA is also providing dedicated spaces and activities for children. Kids’ Passes offer reduced-price entry for under-12s on Saturday and Sunday.
‘Honouring our history’, ‘celebrating our culture’, ‘strengthening our community’ and ‘building our future’ are the guiding principles of this event, which is all about sharing. Through its programme, the Afro Karibe Festival aims to create a space for reflection on Caribbean history, whilst showcasing contemporary artistic expression.
Prices: VIP Pass $150, Premium Pass $85, Weekend Pass $50, Saturday Day Pass $40, Sunday Day Pass $20 and Kids Pass $10. For more information and to purchase passes, visit the website: https://www.afrokaribefestival.com/
