Africa crops Cajarc

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16^ème édition Africajarc of the “Festival of African cultures“, was held from July 24 to 27 in Cajarc, on the River Lot in south-western France. For four days and four nights, this village of about 1,200 souls, welcomed 20,000 festival-goers came to take part in this unmissable appointment of giving and receiving. With a rich and varied program, including orchestrated by Régine Lacan, artistic director of the festival for 11 years, this event is indeed a place of sharing and exchange. Music, theater, dance, storytelling, film, literature, art and craft exhibitions, conferences and art market helped to rediscover or discover Africa in all its splendor.

Despite the bad weather, the evening of 25 July, entitled “Eves Africa” was one of the highlights of the main stage of the festival. Three worlds and three female voices singularities endearing and striking gave us thrills. This is the Algerian Houria Aichi, Ambassador of the Berber song, which opened this great female ball, always faithful to his desire to transmission. Sometimes with a deep voice sometimes fine, sweetly reminiscent of “sung poetry” close to her heart, she accompanied the sounds of the oud, clarinet, and the tarhu hajouj. Between tradition, jazz and Mediterranean music quintet of Hijâz’Car. A marvel.

Angelique Kidjo from Benin amazon, presented excerpts from his latest song “Eve” which celebrates both the beauty and courage of women in Africa, plus some classics from his rich repertoire. Fon, French, English or youruba, she made the audience dance while addressing crucial issues. Respect for difference, violence against women, but also the importance of girls’ education, were discussed. Served by an eclectic music, sailing in Métis waters between r & b, jazz, funk and African music of the West, his writings took their direction on the main stage of the festival. Despite the fatigue of travel and tours, Angelique “was in the house! “

Finally, how to be insensitive to mixing and captivating energy Sena Dagadu, born in Accra a Hungarian mother and a Ghanaian father? Between Soul, Electro, but also hip hop, funk and afrobeat from Ghana, the bubbly young woman occupied the space to great effect. It is surely one of the shots heart of this 16th festival of African cultures.

By FP

Thanks to Ludivine, Eric, Patrick, Peter, Michael and all the 200 volunteers Africajarc Association without whom the magic of this festival could not operate.

Photo credit: Christophe Pélaprat

 C.Pelaprat/biljara.com