Afro Festival 2026: Africa in the Heart of Belgrade, a Meeting of Tradition, Art and Friendship
Amid the rhythms of music, vibrant colours, dance and encounters between diverse cultures, the Museum of African Art in Belgrade hosted Afro Festival 2026, the largest and longest-running event dedicated to. . .
Amid the rhythms of music, vibrant colours, dance and encounters between diverse cultures, the Museum of African Art in Belgrade hosted Afro Festival 2026, the largest and longest-running event dedicated to African cultures in SerbiaThis year once again, Afro Festival attracted a diverse audience, ranging from museum visitors and tourists to members of the diplomatic and artistic communities, reaffirming its status as one of Belgrade’s most distinctive summer events. Through music, art and direct cultural exchange, the festival offered visitors a unique and immersive experience of Africa’s rich cultural heritage. The first day of the festival featured a wide range of programmes combining education, creativity and active audience participation. Visitors took part in workshops, lectures and guided exhibition tours, explored the African Bazaar and the open-air exhibition Impressions of Africa, and enjoyed activities dedicated to music, Arabic calligraphy, dance and African textile traditions. Particular attention was drawn to the collaborative creation of a mural inspired by Tanzanian painting. Durbar and a Moroccan Kaftan Presented as a Valuable Gift to the Museum. The second festival day was marked by Durbar, the traditional “Festival of Festivals” and one of the central segments of Afro Festival. Once again, the programme brought together embassies, consulates and representatives of African countries in Serbia. Through music, dance, gastronomy, customs and art, visitors had the opportunity to discover the cultures of Algeria, Angola, Ghana, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia, as well as Gabon and Jamaica, transforming the museum grounds into a vibrant mosaic of flavours, rhythms and traditions. A special highlight was the address delivered byH. E. Joseph Kalala Mulamba, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Dean of the Group of African Ambassadors in Serbia. He emphasized the importance of Afro Festival as a platform for cultural exchange, dialogue and connection between Africa and Serbia. He also underlined the role of the Museum of African Art as a unique anti-colonial bridge between continents, fostering long-term cooperation and people-to-people ties through culture and education. As part of the programme, a Moroccan kaftan from the Belhayat family collection in Fez was ceremonially presented to the Museum of African Art as a gift from the Serbian-Moroccan Friendship Association and the Belhayat family. More than six decades old and entirely handcrafted, the kaftan was traditionally worn during wedding ceremonies and represents a valuable testament to Morocco’s rich artisanal and cultural heritage. Dr Marija Aleksić,Director of the Museum of African Art, expressed her gratitude to the Serbian-Moroccan Friendship Association, its President Šajbija Nikolić, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Belhayat family for this exceptional donation. She noted that the gift not only enriches the museum’s collection but also serves as an important testimony to Morocco’s longstanding cultural and craft traditions. On that occasion, Dr Aleksić highlighted that Afro Festival demonstrates how genuine friendship is sustained not only through memory, but also through continuous cooperation, cultural exchange and the creation of new connections. She stressed that Belgrade celebrates Africa not only in words, but through meaningful action. The musical highlight of the festival was the performance by Les Amazones d’Afrique, the acclaimed collective bringing together female artists from several African countries. Their energetic fusion of traditional rhythms, hip-hop, trap and electronic music delivered a powerful message of women’s empowerment, solidarity and social change through art. Ahead of the concert, the artists emphasized their desire to connect with audiences through shared values and to convey a message of female strength, unity and inspiration, underscoring that music should foster joy, connection and a deeper appreciation of the power of women’s voices. The second day also featured the sustainable fashion workshop “Re Shirt Lab – Africa × Serbia Redesign Workshop”, organized in cooperation with Belgrade Fashion Week. The festival concluded with a prize draw organized by festival partner Disko Travel, with the lucky winner receiving a trip to Morocco. This year’s Afro Festival once again confirmed that the Museum of African Art is not only a place dedicated to preserving and presenting cultural heritage, but also a vibrant space for contemporary dialogue, encounters and authentic cultural experiences. By bringing together art, education, music, fashion and heritage, Afro Festival continues to build bridges between cultures and strengthen its position as one of the most distinctive and recognizable cultural events in Belgrade and the wider region.