Experience African Culture at Children’s Book Forest Kobe “Africa Month in Kobe

Africa Month in Kobe”, an event to experience the charm of African culture, will be held for a month from September 21 this year as well.

A scene from last year’s event

As the opening event, “Kodomo hon no mori kobe de Africa sakashi” will be held at “Kodomo hon no mori kobe” (Children’s Book Forest in Kobe) in Chuo-ku, Kobe City. *Some of the events will be held around the Hanatoki area in Higashi Yuenchi.

At 11:00, when the event starts, “Yelea African Dance Company” will give a powerful performance combining African drum performance and dance.

The photo on the left is a scene from last year’s event. This year, “Mizu wo Kumu Princess” (Susan Verde/text, Peter H. Reynolds/picture, Yumiko Sakuma/translation by Sa-Era Shobo) (pictured right) and other books will be read to the audience.

After the performance, from 11:30 a.m., “African picture book reading” using the traditional African oral storytelling method “griot” will be held in the museum as a collaborative project between Mr. Chihiro Kinebuchi, a West African stringed instrument “kora” player, and Ms. Kaoru Matsuzaki, a reader.

Mr. Alain Sinanja

In addition, a cross-cultural performance of “Bon Odori” and “African Dance” by a multinational rhythm&dance team led by Alain Sinanja, and “Gospel Live” by Mother&Son Duo “GLOTUS “, “Gospel Live” by African artist Kabeya, “Live Painting” by African artist Kabeya, and many other diverse stages will be held.

Exciting participatory events such as “balloon art” workshops to make African animals, African dance experiences, and booths selling African goods and food will also be featured.

The facility plans to hold related events after the event. The “Searching for Africa in Books” event will be held at the entrance of the main building for a month, featuring a variety of books that touch on African culture, including books about African friends and history, stories featuring African animals, and more. The event will be held for one month.

During “Africa Month in Kobe,” various other events are scheduled to be held in the Sannomiya area. For more information, please visit the Kobe City website.

＜A word from the reporter:
The traditional costumes of African people are very gorgeous! I am looking forward to seeing how they are represented in the picture book.

Details

Event name

Africa Month in Kobe x Africa Meets Kansai 2024 Opening Event
“Children’s Book Forest: Searching for Africa in Kobe

Location

Children’s Book Forest Kobe
(6-1-1 Kano-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe)
Find it on Google Maps

Hours

Open 9:30
Start 11:00
End/Close 17:00
*Reading session in the “Kodomo Hon no Mori Kobe” is scheduled from 11:30

How to visit

No reservation required

Capacity

None
*Entry may be temporarily denied when the museum is crowded.

Eligibility

All visitors

• Children’s Book Forest Kobe Website https://kodomohonnomori-kobe.jp/2990
• Africa Meets Kansai Home Page https://afrikameetskansai.org/