The largest British festival, entirely dedicated to the music of the Black Continent, is held annually in the center of Liverpool. Africa Oye is the summer open air festival traces its roots from the streets concerts, which were organized by the Liverpool enthusiasts and the carriers of African culture in 1992. The main purpose of this festival was the destruction of a negative public stereotype about Africa, as well as the demonstration for a wide audience of the wealth of modern African art. By 2002, the festival had reached a solid international level, and the most popular public park of Liverpool became its usual venue.
For one weekend, Africa Oye festival turns the idyllic space of Sefton Park into the ethno-village boiling with energy and colors, reproducing the best that the African continent can surprise Europeans with. The festival presents itself as a multicultural project, therefore, in addition to a huge variety of genres of African music, its program includes the ethno-rhythms of Latin America, the Caribbean, as well as such popular styles as reggae, calypso, salsa, and juice. Acquaintance with the, traditions of the "cradle of humanity" can begin with a visit to a large folk fair, on the trays of which there are vivid examples of African culinary, fashion, handicraft and souvenir products.
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