AIC Festival to showcase Tanzanian culture during AFCON 2027

ARUSHA: THE first international cultural festival is expected to provide an opportunity for visitors who will come to Arusha during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) Finals to experience Tanzanian culture through various arts activities.

Tanzania will host AFCON 2027 together with Kenya and Uganda.

The Arusha International Cultural Festival (AIC Festival), organised by the African Tabasamu Foundation (ATAFO), based in Usa River, Arumeru District, is scheduled to take place during the AFCON 2027 tournament, with the aim of connecting visitors with various arts, cultural and entertainment activities in Arusha.

ATAFO runs programmes aimed at empowering young people through arts and culture, including training in traditional dances, painting, tailoring, weaving, carving, pottery, as well as the production of beadwork and leather products.

ATAFO Director Samora Edwin Mlowe said the festival is expected to provide an opportunity for artists and young people to showcase their talents and products to visitors coming to Arusha.

He said the initiative aims to ensure that visitors coming to watch matches also have an opportunity to participate in cultural and entertainment activities during their stay in Arusha.

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“For example, if a match is scheduled in the evening, visitors can spend the day at the festival, go to the stadium to watch the match and later return for cultural entertainment. We want to ensure that our young people genuinely benefit from this,” he said.

Mr Mlowe said the festival would also provide an opportunity for young people and artists to showcase their work, including handicrafts, traditional dances, paintings, beadwork, leather products and other cultural products.

He said the increase in visitors during AFCON could create a market for such products and help young people earn income from their talents and skills.

“I am sure that by the time AFCON ends, there will be young people who will have seen the benefits,” he said.

He said ATAFO also intends to use the period to promote the festival to people following AFCON from different countries so that they become aware of the cultural opportunities available in Arusha.

He explained that the AIC Festival aims to use the expected increase in visitors resulting from AFCON to connect artists with markets while giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about Tanzanian culture.

He said through the festival, Arusha could use the AFCON period to showcase the richness of traditional dances, handicrafts, clothing and various products that represent Tanzanian culture.

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