Even among African Americans it would be safe to say that there are several misconceptions, preconceived notions and stereotypes regarding the continent of Africa.
But every year for nearly two decades, the marginalized opinions of Mother Africa have been shattered through the St. Louis African Arts Festival – an entire weekend of events that honors some of the richest cultures in the history of civilization
“So many of us don’t appreciate what we have to offer and what as a people we have achieved,” said Cynthia Cosby, founder of the St. Louis African Arts Festival and executive director of the African Heritage Association of St. Louis.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate who we are and share our accomplishments and celebration with other people.”
When Cosby decided to broaden her horizon by seeing the world, her life was forever changed. As she adventured from place to place around the country (and later around the world), her love and pride for the Diaspora grew into a desire to share it with all people.
“My travels domestically and internationally – going to West Africa, in particular – had a tremendous impact on my life,” Cosby said. “And I wanted in some ways to sustain that.”
So each Memorial Day weekend, Cosby brings Africa to her own front door as the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park becomes transformed into a marketplace that offers a taste of the African experience. For 2008, the 17th annual festival is themed “Celebrating a Culturally Rich Mosaic.”
While the event’s name suggests the artistic element of the festival, it is much more encompassing – offering everything from ethnic foods (Ethiopian, Senegalese, Jamaican and Nigerian) to Afrocentric hair care and skincare products for purchase.
“We wanted our event to be multifaceted,” said Robin Gillespie, who has served as volunteer coordinator for the festival for the past five years. “If you had the time to spend the day there, you could go and not hear or see the same thing all day.”
Gillespie was also quick to point out that with the exception of the food and retail vendors, guests have little to no cost with regards to participation in the enrichment activities.
“You can actually come out and spend the day and have an array of activities and not spend any money,” Gillespie said.
Concerts, storytelling, craft making, dance and poetry are just some of what this year’s festival has to offer – and in many cases guests have an opportunity to take part in the events as well.
An element of the festival’s variety can be attributed to the partnerships that have been established with the major cultural institutions within Forest Park – including the Saint Louis Zoo and Saint Louis Art Museum. Cosby takes pride in the fact that guests will see the contributions recognize African and African-American contributions by way of the collaborating institutions. Guests have an opportunity to view exhibits at the Museum, an information session on the animals of Africa at the Zoo and to watch a film series at the Schlafly Branch of the St. Louis Public Library.
“African culture is not closeted – it’s not confined in just one space,” Cosby said. “Offering various disciplines also assures that there is something for everyone.”
As the African Heritage Association of St. Louis works towards achieving its goal of bringing the entire St. Louis community together to share and showcase African and African-American culture, the children who take part in the festival from year to year consistently inspire Cosby.
“When I see the faces of those children when they are exposed to this culture – that’s what motivates me,” Cosby said. “I think that they have to hold on to things that make them feel proud.”
But the festival is more than exposing young people to Africa. It’s also about exposing all people to Africa. A story about a Caucasian family being delightedly overwhelmed with the art of African drumming was one of the many illustrations Cosby offered to show how the sharing of cultures brings people together.
“It’s all about learning, and our goal is to educate and entertain,” Cosby said.
“Africa is so diverse. And we want to give you a taste of its many flavors.”
The 17th Annual African Arts Festival of St. Louis will take place from May 24-26 at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park in addition to several remote locations. For more information, call (314) 935-9676 or visit www.stlafricanartsfest.org.
