Art

The heart of Africa still beats: World Culture Day

For a single day, the University of Pennsylvania Museum is going to be a lot louder, but that’s a good thing. On Saturday, February 21, 2009, the stately halls with resonate with the exuberant sounds of the 20th Annual Celebration of African Cultures. This event is perfect for the entire family.

Philadelphia kids and adults alike will have fun while getting a brain full of cultural awareness at the same time. Special programs like traditional storytelling, electrifying African dance and music performances, workshops, children’s activities, and gallery tours will make the day pass all to quickly.

It’s likely that nowhere else on earth can you find such a diversity of culture than on the vast African continent. Africa was the birthplace of the human species between 8 and 5 million years ago.

As they say, not too shabby!

One aspect that has always set the African cultures apart is an intense focus on family and ethnic group. Down through history art, music, and oral storytelling have served to reinforce the social and religious patterns. Even the governments of most African nations foster national dance and music groups, museums, and artists and writers. The value of keeping a heritage alive is well ingrained.

Some particular program highlights from the Penn Museum celebration are:

• Performance by the Universal African & Drum Ensemble
• Benin storytelling by Queen Nur and Yomi Awodesu
• Tunisian dance performance and workshop by Habiba Studios.
• Plenty of games, crafts and even a marketplace to spend your loot

The Penn Museum is located at 3260 South Street in Philadelphia. You can learn more about this event by clicking here.

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