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2022 has been an eventful year for African culture. From film to architecture to music, let’s shed light on the most important news in the world of arts and culture this year.
The ribbon was cut and “The Amazon” was unveiled in Cotonou. Standing 30 meters tall, this eponymous bronze-clad statue was inaugurated in Benin’s capital. The monument pays tribute to the female combatants known as Agugge. Until the end of the 19th century, they belonged to the elite units of the royal army of Dahomey, the kingdom in the south of the country.
Centuries later their reputation predates them. The American film The Woman King was liberally inspired by their story.
Many viewers in Benin praised the film and the African American Film Critics Association.
The cast of ‘Black Panther Wakanda Forever’ traveled to Lagos, Nigeria for the African premiere of the blockbuster.
The film tells the story of the kingdom of Wakanda, which grieves for its king. Disney brought in several artists from across the continent to compose music for the film’s soundtrack. African singers include South African artists. Ghana is represented by Amarae and Nigeria has the most singers. Big his names such as Burna Boy and Tems belong.
Far from Hollywood, African cinema comes to life. The Carthaginian Film Festival, one of the oldest film festivals of its kind still active on the continent, celebrates its 56th anniversary. Among the award-winning fiction and documentary films was ‘Sous les Figues’ or Under the Figs by French Tunisian filmmaker Elige Sehiri. The film has already won awards at the Francophone Film Festival in Namur (Belgium) and the Quinzaine des réalisateurs in Cannes.
Among the African musical giants who died in 2022 was Senegalese percussionist and singer Rudy Gomis. A founding member of the Orchestra Baobab died on April 27 at the age of 75.
Millions of people in Nigeria were heartbroken when the news of gospel singer Osinachi Nwachuk died at the age of 42. It also sheds light on the plight of domestic violence. Indeed, during Nwachukwu’s husband’s trial, some of her relatives claimed that Nwachukwu died as a result of violence from her partner.
Schools and clay infrastructure are trademarks of Dievedo Francis Quere. The architect from Burkina Faso is known for his sustainable architecture that serves people. He was the first African to receive the Pritzker Prize, the highest honor in the profession. Following the announcement of the winners, the winner was keen to pay tribute to the talent of African youth, who also returned to his home country to celebrate his feast.
UNESCO has enriched the Intangible Cultural Heritage list by adding African traditions and music. Among them is Algerian Lai, full of emotion and poetry. Zambian Karrera dance traditionally performed at funerals and harvest festivals. Harissa, a spicy paste favored by Tunisians, also stood out as representing African cuisine.
Some are making their first appearance, while others are making a comeback. After 45 years of censorship, Kenya’s most famous play ‘Ngaahika Ndeenda’ (‘I will marry when I want’) has been staged again. The work highlights the exploitation of ordinary citizens by the political and economic elite.
The play displeased the authorities in 1977 and was banned. Its authors, His Ngugi wa Thiong’o and His Ngugi wa Mirii, were even imprisoned.
The Dakar Biennale is back with audiences after being postponed to 2020. The program presents the pinnacle of contemporary African art and his over 2,500 artists. Ethiopian abstract artist Tegene Khumbi Senbet won the grand prize.
South African DJ Black Coffee has returned from Las Vegas with a head full of memories and a suitcase containing his first Grammy Award. He became the first African to win a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album for his album.
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