User:TOUKI.EM

Panaf 1969

The Pan- African Cultural Festival was first held in Algeria in 1969, also known as the First Pan - African Cultural Festival or the Algiers Festival.

Backstage: One of a series of atmospheric images captured by American photographer Robert Wade at the 1969 Panaf festival in Algiers, Algeria

The festival was held from July 21 to August 1, 1969, in Algiers, Algeria. The festival brought together participants from over 30 African countries that included artists, advocates, and political leaders to celebrate African culture, heritage, and identity.

The festival included a variety of cultural events that included shows, music, theater, and film screenings. The main theme of the festival was "Culture and Revolution" and so the events were designed to showcase the diverse African cultural traditions while promoting anti-imperialism ideas.

The festival was a major milestone in the history of African cultural and political movements, and it helped to promote Pan- Africanism and African identity in the decades that followed. The legacy of the festival can still be seen today, with similar events held throughout Africa and the diaspora to celebrate African culture and heritage.

Pan-African cultural festival of Algiers 1969

Historical context

By the end of the 1950s, there were some African countries under European colonial control. At the same time there were also Arab countries still dealing with the new changes that included the establishment of republican regimes.

This led to the emergence of Pan- Arabism and political leaders defending it such as Egyptian President Gamal Abd El-Naser and Algerian President Ahmed Ben Bella who introduced themselves as defenders of Pan-Africanism.

To clarify, President Gamal Abd El-Naser had a vision that solidarity was extremely vital at that time for African countries. As highlighted in the essay Egypt’s Liberation from his published book “The philosophy of the revolution” that the Egyptian nation cannot ignore the presence of the African continent and the importance of solidarity. Consequently, since that Pan-Arabism and Pan-Africanism ideologies aimed for same certain mutual objectives. Therefore, it was necessary to form a new regional and political force.

Based on the same perspective, President Boumediene thought the Panaf would be a great opportunity to enlarge Pan- Africanism between African regions. Furthermore, Algeria was the most suitable country for such an event; Algeria was the symbol of resistance against imperialism. In addition, Boumediene was trying to portray Algeria as the “Mecca of revolutionaries” and a leader in the liberation movement. Thus, Boumediene did not consider the Panaf a spectacle, instead it was a part of the national liberation movement that Africans are engaged in together at.

The organization of the festival

The Panaf was the decision of the Organisation of African Unity, however it was organized by Algeria and regarding the funding, Algeria funded the majority of the festival with additional financial support from the OAU and the UNSECO. The budget is estimated to nearly four to five million US dollars, and Algeria provided around three million of this total.

The Panaf

List of artists

The festival opening included leaders of liberation struggles in Angola, Cape verde, South Africa, and other different countries parading proudly. There were many artists in the festival such as Miriam Makeba, Manu Dibango. There were also other stars from across the continent performed concerts alongside luminaries from the African diaspora, including American stars Nina Simone, Barry White, and Archie Shepp.

Some of the artists had very remarkable performances such as Miriam Makeba who performed the Arabic song "I am free in Algeria" "انا حرة فى الجزائر" It is very remarkable performance because after it Mrs Makeba was granted the Algerian citizenship so she can have an easier facilitation to her travels abroad.

The African cinema week

During the Panaf week, one the cultural events was film screenings that was held in Ibn Khaldoun hall. People would attend screening of films that are followed by debates and discussions with the filmmakers.

The Pan-African Cultural Manifesto

It was developed during a festival symposium in Algeria in 1969. The manifesto's goal is to promote and preserve African culture, identity, and unity among Africans. The manifesto also addressed the negative effects of imperialism on African cultures. Consequently, the authors of the manifesto called for a return to African values. It highlighted the importance of solidarity, hospitality, spirtuality, and unity.

Algeria as the host of the festival

Algeria was the most suitable country for such an event; by that time Algeria was considered to be the symbol of resistance against imperialism. In addition, Boumediene was trying to portray Algeria as the “Mecca of revolutionaries” and a leader in the liberation movement. Thus, Boumediene did not consider the Panaf a spectacle, instead it was a part of the national liberation movement that Africans are engaged in together at.

In addition, Boumediene wanted to promote Algerian leadership at an international level, and hosting the Panaf in Algeria was the first step to achieve his vision. Because by doing so, he is bringing Algeria into the leadership of Africa, the Arab world, and non-aligned nations.

Festival panafricain d’Alger 1969

A documentary film made by the American born- French director William Klein in July 1969 in Algeria about the Pan- African Cultural Festival.

The film opens with the questions: “What is Africa? », « What is the Festival? », « What is culture? ". It closes with this affirmation: “African culture will be revolutionary or it will not be”.

The film documents the festival; by following the preparations, artists, concerts, rehearsals, and people’s reactions in the streets. It also goes back and forth between real live footage and recorded interviews with freedom advocates and writers who speak about colonialism, colonial exploitation, imperialism, and liberation movements. The film also serves as a great tool to view Algeria and the Panaf from a sociological perspective.