At last, after two years and a rained off 2012, Africa came back to the Park.
The rain overnight had been torrential so I don’t know if I might walk in on a quagmire.
Today we’ll see musicians and performers from Ghana, Congo, Cape Verde and Cuba.
The day is surprisingly fine, and Africa Oyé soon settles into its accustomed easy rhythm. Because, you see, Africa Oyé isn’t so much an event as a place. And once it’s set up and moving it’s like we’re all back in a much loved, familiar place. Seeing what’s changed, what’s still the same, and looking out for each other.
Like any good quality village, there are places for the children to play, good shops, places to eat and drink, and plenty of space to sit around talking.
And all day, there is music. From Africa and wherever in the world Africans have ended up.
And around the edges of the village there is more music and more dancing.
Lovely to be back in the village today. It always is. I’ll be back tomorrow.
This looks like so much fun. I would have loved to be there. Thanks for the visuals; they bring it to life, in a quiet sort of way.