AFROfest Taiwan 2024

TEXT: GEMMA GREEN

IMAGES: COURTESY OF AFROFEST TAIWAN

Iam a 外國人 Wàiguó rén , I have lived in Taipei for over 4 years. I am starting to feel like I know a little bit of Taiwan and my city, Taipei. In the hidden corners, I can find music that I like and events that energise me. It is hard at first though. How do I find out what is going on? How do I connect with open, like-minded people? These are all questions that I asked myself for a long time. Did you know that there are a series of events in Taiwan that celebrate black culture? I found this out when I attended AFROfest TW in 2023. There is a large African community in Taiwan, as well as Caribbean, AfricanAmerican and a multitude of other cultures. AFROfest TW was electric, the music, the food, the energy and most of all the community spirit has stayed with me since. AFROfest 2024 is around the corner, and I spoke to Boney Kross and Toi Windham to find out more.

Boney Kross

Boney Kross is a Ugandan expat, fiercely proud of his home country, he arrived in Taiwan over 7 years ago. Now working as a teacher and a musician, he is keen to share African music and culture throughout Taiwan. If any of you know Boney (many people do!), you will know how hard he works to connect the African diaspora in Taiwan. Growing up in a musical family, he has a passion for sharing, everyone is welcome at his events and if you have seen him on stage in one of his many bands you will know he can get any crowd to dance and move to the rhythms of Africa. Meeting Boney, it is clear that community is at the heart of what he does. He tells me that Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa, with a wealth of natural resources, the fruit basket of the African continent. Similar to Taiwan, it is known for its national parks, wildlife and local agriculture. Akin to Taiwan are its friendly people. Whatever you have, however little, you share.

DATE 25 May 2024

Saturday

VENUE

Tickets Available: https://www.accupass.com/event/2403161819282136337534