The Power of Culture

A 'calabash' that reflects the melting pot of the African population: this is what the recently totally renovated soccer stadium in Johannesburg is being called.

Africa's first Video-on-Demand Internet Store, AfricaFilm.tv, will soon go online. The objective is to open the world for African film producers. Another important objective is to combat piracy, a phenomenon that costs the African film industry millions of euros every year.

The Beeldvoorbeeld festival is devoting a great deal of attention to South Africa. Three films by François Verster are being presented. Verster has been the recipient of a number of awards, including an Emmy for A Lion's Trail.

Could an annually rotating African Cultural Capital contribute to development on the continent? That question came up during the World Conference over Art and Culture that was held in Johannesburg at the end of September 2009.

As artistic director of DuoSoloDanse Alioune Diagne took a risk by organising an ambitious, regional contemporary dance event in the former capital of French West Africa, Saint Louis.

Syria has always had a lively visual arts scene. Appreciated by regional Arab collectors it failed in turn to attract the attention of the West. Over the past two years Syrian artists and galleries have rejoined the Middle-Eastern avant-garde, which is slowly but surely establishing itself internationally.

With an innovative marketing approach the organisation Africa Unsigned helps young musical talent make a living.

In Harare a workshop about art marketing took place from April 30 until May 1, 2009, aimed at ten countries in Southern Africa. Purpose was to strengthen the regional markets for creative products, to develop suitable marketing models and to create a network for art marketeers.

The Kalakar Trust from New Delhi is dedicated to improving the living conditions of the many artists in the slums of the Indian capital.