Festival celebrates diversity of African culture

A fledgling arts festival will showcase "a different dimension of African excellence" across a week of events focusing on film, fashion, theatre and music.

The Bradford African Festival of Arts, now in its third year, launched on Monday with a contemporary African Art Exhibition at the University of Bradford.

Organisers said this year's theme is Nkosoo, which means advancement and progress in the Ghanaian language, Twi.

Festival director Dr Olushola Kolawole, who is also a lecturer at Bradford University, said the event would celebrate creativity, while creating opportunities for learning, collaboration and cultural exchange.

"Each day of the festival has been intentionally designed to showcase a different dimension of African excellence, giving audiences the opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of African arts and culture in meaningful and engaging way," he said.

The week-long celebrations include an African Film Festival at the National Science and Media Museum, an evening of theatre and live performances at Bradford Arts Centre, and a Fashion and Pageantry showcase at Darley Street Market.

It will culminate on Saturday with a party in Centenary Square including live music and dance, and food and market stalls.

Project manager Gloria Eyieyien said she hoped the festival would bring people together.

"The programme has been designed to celebrate creativity, while creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to connect, learn from one another and experience the richness of African cultures," she said.

The project has been funded by Arts Council England and the National Lottery.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.