The largest Africa-focused annual 1-day event in Scandinavia

Humble Beginnings, Powerful Outcomes

Since its inception in 2002, Couleur Café has become the leading African festival in Denmark, offering a vibrant celebration of African culture. This annual event unites diverse communities through a dynamic mix of music, art, fashion shows, and a bustling market. Vendors with direct ties to the African continent provide authentic food and trade unique fabrics, highlighting the rich heritage and contemporary creativity of African artisans.

According to their website, “The festival originally started as a drum gathering in Fælledparken and has since grown and changed its form and style.”

Drum circles and rhythms mean more than just entertainment. Scholar and educator Tanya Y. Price, Ph.D., labels drumming and rhythms as phenomena. She writes in her article titled ‘Rhythms of Culture: Djembe and African Memory in African-American Cultural Traditions’ published by the Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College Chicago:

“This phenomenon has not only exposed non-African populations to traditional African cultural practices, but it has also become a vehicle by which people of African descent have reconnected with African roots—values of ancestors from which there has been significant separation due to the transatlantic slave trade.”

In this edition of RentCulture, we proudly showcase Mr. Lassina Badolo, a distinguished scientist from Burkina Faso. He serves as Executive Director and Head of DMPK, Early Respiratory, & Immunology at AstraZeneca. Beyond his stellar scientific career, Lassina passionately volunteers as project coordinator for Couleur Café’s annual June event. His remarkable ability to blend professional excellence with community service offers profound insights into balancing impactful careers with meaningful contributions to society.

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A Decade and a Half of Couleur Café’s Evolution in Denmark

“In the Danish media, Africa is frequently depicted through the lens of war, poverty, and challenges. Yet, we believe the continent boasts an immense cultural wealth that deserves recognition. Our goal is to showcase this diversity and complexity to Danish society, highlighting Africa’s rich cultural tapestry. As Africans, we take great pride in our heritage and hope to reshape these narratives, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of our continent.” says Lassina, who was among the original initiators of the festival, when asked about the intention behind starting the initiative in Denmark.

The purpose of the festival is to foster successful cultural meetings between Afro-Danes, Danes, and other internationals in Denmark with an open mind and an appreciation for African culture in general. The audience is invited to be inspired and to have a contemporary perspective on the African continent.

The audiences in the past have embraced the initiative with open arms and have reciprocated by showing up in thousands, packing the streets of Nørrebro with their colourful outfits and enthusiasm. “Africans celebrate the occasion by proudly displaying their culture, dressing in their traditional attire, dancing, singing, and enjoying the music with their families,” Lassina points out.

What is unique about Couleur Cafe?

“The focus is Africa,” Lassina emphasises

The event is free for all to attend. It is a fully volunteer-driven operation. Lassina explains that the organisers are not experts in this field. Everyone works out of passion and love for the African continent. This sets us apart compared to other large-scale festivals that occur in Copenhagen in the summer and are more professional in their approach.

An attempt is made to include the full diversity of Africa on display through dance, music, and food. One needs to remember that the African continent is made up of more than 50 countries with more than 2000 languages.

“We live together despite the differences. We don’t see it as a problem. It is there, and we acknowledge it and celebrate the different languages, different cultures, and different ways of living equally.”

One of the highlights this year is the collaboration with the Nørrebro library for events designed for children. A workshop has been organised with the local library about Africa, which is a first-time occurrence on Couleur Cafe Day compared to the events in the past.

“This is a result of our pursuit of bringing Africa to children in Denmark. We believe this would be the best way to open their minds to the culture and the continent. We want the children and their parents to see Africa the way it should be shown, which is vastly different from what is portrayed in the news. ” Lassina explains.

Program for Couleur Cafe 2024

A fantastic music program featuring some of the biggest names in African music is on the cards:

🎶 Dawda Jobarteh – Experience the hypnotizing kora maestro, blending traditional African sounds with modern tones.

🎶 Maria Thandie – Enjoy the deep, powerful notes of this jazz, blues and soul sensation.

🎶 Olumo Soundz – Get carried away by this afrobeat collective from Malmø with their explosive and atmospheric grooves.

🎶 Alain Apaloo: Also known as “the guitar wizard from Togo,” brings a unique blend of blues, jazz, and African rhythms to the stage.

🎶 DJ Tevi: known for his incredible ability to blend different genres of music and create unforgettable experiences on the dancefloor, is ready to bring his unique energy

But that’s not all! The festival also offers:

👗 Fashion Show – Essi Tomobile presents a colourful fashion show that highlights clothing from Ivory Coast and other African countries.

🎨 Creative Workshop for the Children – Let the children express their creativity with fun and educational activities.

🍲 85 food and market stalls – Experience a taste journey through Africa with authentic food and unique markets.

Practical Information

Date: June 15, 2024

Timings: 12:00–20:00

Location: Den Røde Plads/Multisalen (Nørrebrogade 210)

Entry: Free entry, all access included; disabled toilets available

Couleur Café 2024 is organized by volunteers and coordinated by Afrika Forum in collaboration with Nørrebro Library.

This year’s festival is supported by: Koda Kultur, Nørrebro Local Committee, Copenhagen Municipality’s Music Committee, Danish Musicians’ Association, BUPL and the Statens Kunstfond.

Partners: Black Hipsters, Africa in Denmark.