What to see and do during Beijing's first Africa Week

A week of events featuring African arts, food, discussions and parties 

This week sees the city's first-ever Africa Week take place, bringing with it a fantastic programme of events dedicated to celebrating and promoting African culture and achievements in Beijing – and beyond. Brought together by Kente & Silk, a Beijing-based social enterprise engaged in a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing Sino-African relations, the week's activities will highlight the very best of Beijing's African community, across the arts, food, business and much more. Here's the full rundown of the happenings.

Afro Beat: Africa Week Launch Party & Mixer

Marina. Fri 18. 75RMB; 50RMB (presale, includes a drink and raffle ticket)

To kick off Africa Week, Kente and Silk is hosting an official launch party powered by Thrive Beijing. Those who attend can expect a vibrant experience filled with African food, music, networking and more.

China Africa Stories: A New Chapter of Youth Engagement

Hotel Jen Beijing. Sat 19. 100RMB; 50RMB (students)

One of the standout events of the packed Africa Week programme, China Africa Stories will examine the changing nature of Sino-African relations, emphasising cultural and human-based perspectives and the role of the younger generation in writing the next chapter. Throughout the day-long forum, a series of keynote speeches and panel discussions will explore questions surrounding African influence on modern China (and vice versa), the role young people are playing in transforming relations, as well as the opportunities that may appear on the road ahead.

The event will also feature a screening of the documentary Africans in Yiwu, followed by a discussion with its director, Hodan Abdi, a professor of East African studies and senior advisor to the Somalian government.

Move Like an African: Afrodance Workshops

Various locations. Sun 20. 120RMB

Afrodance expresses the dynamism of Africa, the richness of its cultures and its global connections – it's a global movement, that's now made its way to China. To celebrate the diversity and evolution of African dance, Africa Week will be hosting two dance classes: one focusing on African drumming and dancing at Project Pengyou, and the other on modern African dance at Flow Studios, led by choreographer Yoofi Greene.

Flavours of Africa: African Dinner Special & Open Mic

Caravan. Sun 20. Price tbc

Caravan will be hosting an exclusive set menu this Sunday evening that will take diners on a culinary tour of Africa with meals from all parts of the continent. Dinner will then be followed by an African music open mic night.

By The Fireside: African Storytelling Night

The Bookworm. Tue 22. 30RMB

In traditional African societies, oral tradition was an integral way to pass down knowledge, history and create community. People gathered by firesides to hear stories narrated by village elders – often grandmothers – and storytellers.

On Tuesday night, Kente & Silk hosts an evening filled with stories and artistic literary traditions from across Africa, including Ananse stories and other folklore, call-and-response singing, readings from modern African literature and personal narratives from Africans in the community. There will also be an open mic, with organisers also hoping to solicit personal stories from the wider African and black community on the theme 'Ijinle' – a Yoruba word that means 'source' or 'root', and the overall theme for this inaugural Africa Week.

Art Afrik: A Celebration of African Art, Music & Craftsmanship

Caravan. Wed 23. 75RMB (includes a drink and art materials)

This creativity-filled, interactive workshop aims to visually articulate the Africa Week theme of Ijinle, giving participants the opportunity to both watch African artists create modern works of African art in a live paint session, and an opportunity to take part in the creative process. This is a chance to experience African art in a variety of mediums, including, among others, painting, photography and craftsmanship such as jewellery-making.

Artists featured include James Sserwadda, Mikka Kabugo, Chisom Onyishi and Anima Opare (Nani's Creations), with music from Badr's North African band. 

African Feminism 101

Café Zarah. Thu 24. Free

Gulou's Café Zarah hosts an evening of discussions and networking to celebrate African feminism, leaders and women in China. A panel discussion, moderated by Olivia Lamb, co-founder of Black Expo and Africa 2.0 board member, will feature Tania Romualdo, ambassador of Cape Verde, Dr Samantha Sibanda, the founder of the Appreciate Africa Network, and Maria Kargbo, a performance artist from Sierra Leone. Seats are limited. To RSVP, scan the QR code below.

THUASA Africa Day Celebrations

Tsinghua University. Fri 25. Free

In addition to commemorating Africa Day, this event will be celebrating the first anniversary of Tsinghua University African Students Association (THUASA) through a variety of activities, including cultural performances and African food tasting, all showcasing Africa’s cultural diversity. Through a panel discussion, the programme will also serve as a platform of reflection on issues related to the place and role of the youth in the Sino-African cooperation.

African Start-Up Pitch Competition & Africa Week Finale

Schwarzman College (Tsinghua University). Sat 26. Free

Time to enter the Dragon's Den (or Shark Tank, as you might know it). This event gives five shortlisted African business start-ups the chance to pitch their ideas to a panel of established finance, marketing and entrepreneurial figures and noted professionals involved in the African and black community in China.

Finalists will get the chance to hear expert opinions and perspectives, as well as gain valuable connections, with the eventual winning team receiving the profits raised from activities across Africa Week to help kickstart their development. As the finale to Africa Week's busy programme, this event will also be a celebration featuring performances by African students from across Beijing.

For full venue details, hit 'Read more'.

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