Events

Tekno, others to storm Abu Dhabi, All Africa Festival

Published

3 years ago

January 10, 2024

Prominent Nigerian artists are among African stars scheduled to perform at the 3rd All Africa Festival, held in early February in the United Arab Emirates. The list includes Kofi, Olamide, Omah Lay, Yemi Alade, Sales, and Diamond Platnumz.

The All Africa Festival (AAF), the UAE’s largest celebration of Africa’s rich and diverse cultures in all their vibrant expressions and representations, is set to make a return for its 3rd edition and will take place in the nation’s capital, Abu Dhabi. According to a statement signed by Nina Olatoke, CEO, and Co-Founder of the All Africa Festival, the event, scheduled for February 2nd to 4th, 2024, will see the UAE Africa Connect (UAEAC) platform operate as the festival’s strategic partner.

UAEAC is a platform that celebrates the harmonic and solid partnership between the UAE and Sub-Saharan Africa.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring back the All Africa Festival, with Yas Island in Abu Dhabi providing the perfect backdrop to take this event to new heights in driving our mandate to showcase and celebrate Africa’s vibrant entertainment, food, and cultural experiences to residents and visitors to the UAE and the GCC region at large.

“From humble beginnings in Dubai’s Creek Park in 2018 to two consecutive years hosting the Festival at the foot of Burj Khalifa in Burj Park, our history spans more than five years of curating and successfully producing a festival that welcomes all nationalities to come and experience the heartbeat of Africa through sound and displays of art, fashion, and cuisine.

“As we bring to life the electric, vibrant energy for which Africa is known through music performances, fashion, and art installations across the three days, we are truly honored to be working closely with UAE Africa Connect, our strategic partner, the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, as well as Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, in bringing this event to life.”

Nina said the stage will be set on the grounds of Etihad Park, located in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s landmark family entertainment destination, Yas Island, saying this fun-packed event will bring together residents and visitors alike for a 3-day long entertainment and culturally immersive extravaganza that includes performances from globally renowned music icons, as well as locally based talents and DJs, with representation from all regions of the African continent.

She said the decision to move the All Africa Festival to Abu Dhabi comes inspired by the nation’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and culturally diverse society, as well as having witnessed the growth in numbers of African expats living and working in the UAE.

Nina maintained that the “All Africa Festival seeks to, therefore, build on previous successes, attracting residents and tourists to what has become an annual event that celebrates not only the diversity of African culture but also the equally culturally diverse landscape for which the UAE is known.”

Related Topics:Events Featured others Tekno to storm Abu Dhabi

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

4 days ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.