The International Africa Festival has been ­existing for 23 years now and is the biggest festival for African music and culture in Europe. In 2011 more than 100.000 visitors came to Würzburg to witness the cultural wealth and Africa's zest for life. Like in the past years, the 24th Africa Festival will take place in several ­circus tents in front of a magnificent setting on the Talavera - Mainwiesen - just along the banks of the river Main. On four stages more than 250 musicians and dancers will give an insight into the fascinating diversity of the traditional and modern black music.
In 2012 one focus of the Africa Festival will be on Senegal and the Cape Verdean Islands - two countries which are only 550 km apart but have completely different official and national languages (French/Wolof and Portuguese/ Creole) and diverse cultures. Both countries have developed different and interesting musical styles.

In addition to the concerts on the main stage, there will again be a bazaar with ­objects of art and utility, African and Caribbean food and drinks, an artisans' fair, a comprehensive ­children's programme, an open stage, a late night programme with several DJs, exhibitions, and the ARTE movie tent. To the beats of Caribbean music, visitors can enjoy themselves at the Havana Club till the early morning hours.

Friday, May 25th, 2012
10.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.
Bazaar and craftsmen`s market
11.00 a.m.
Life in the Desert -Tuaregs report about their lives in the Tuareg tent
12.00 p.m - 1.30 p.m.
Talk in the university tent
5.00 p.m.


Official Opening in the restauration tent
5.45 p.m.
Awarding of the Africa Festival Award (AFA) 2012

Open Stage:
1.30 p.m. Modou Seck (Traditional music from Senegal)
3.30 p.m. Tcheka (Singer-songwriter from the Cape Verde)


Evening Programme:
STARS FROM CAPE VERDIAN ISLANDS AND SENEGAL
8.00 p.m.
Omar Pene - Mbalax legend from Senegal
10.00 p.m.
Sara Tavares - the voice of the Cape Verdean Islands

7.00 p.m. - 12.00 a.m.
DJ Hi John Shafarai in the restauration tent
9.00 p.m. - 2.00 a.m.


Lady DJ Tania (Curaçao) in the Havana Club
9.00 p.m. - 12.00 a.m.
Film presentations in the ARTE movie tent

Saturday, May 26th, 2012
10.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.

Bazaar and craftsmen`s market
11.00 a.m.
"Life in the Desert" - Tuaregs report in the Tuareg tent
12.00 p.m - 1.30 p.m.
Talk in the university tent
1.30 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Story telling and clowns in the children`s tent

Open Stage:
1.30 p.m. Kora Jazz Trio (Afro-Jazz from Senegal)
3.30 p.m. Roman Bunka & the Shamandura Project (Oud-virtuoso meets master drummers from North Africa)
5.30 p.m. Sia Tolno (The new voice from Guinea)


Evening Programme:
POWERFUL WOMEN
8.00 p.m.
Y'Akoto - Musical Clobetrotter from Germany and Ghana
10.00 p.m.
Angélique Kidjo & guests - tribute to Miriam Makeba

7.00 p.m. - 12.00 a.m.
DJ Hi John Shafarai in the restauration tent
9.00 p.m. - 2.00 a.m.
Lady DJ Tania (Curaçao) in the Havana Club
9.00 p.m. - 12.00 a.m.
Film presentations in the ARTE movie tent

Sunday, May 27th, 2012
10.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.

Bazaar and craftsmen`s market
11.00 a.m.
"Life in the Desert" - Tuaregs report in the Tuareg tent
12.00 p.m - 1.30 p.m.
Talk in the university tent
1.30 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Story telling and clowns in the children`s tent

Open Stage:
1.30 p.m. Mamadou Diabaté's Percussion Mania (Traditional music from Burkina Faso)
3.30 p.m. Fantcha (Diva of the Cape Verdean music)
5.30 p.m. Bebey Prince Bissongo (Guitar genius from Burkina Faso)


Evening Programme:
CUBA & WEST AFRICA
8.00 p.m.

Sona Jobarteh - Kora- Virtuoso from Gambia
10.00 p.m.
AfroCubism - the original Buena Vista Social Club

 7.00 p.m. - 12.00 a.m.
DJ Hi John Shafarai in the restauration tent
9.00 p.m. - 2.00 a.m.
Lady DJ Tania (Curaçao) in the Havana Club
9.00 p.m. -12.00 a.m.


Film presentations in the ARTE movie tent

Monday, May 28th, 2012
 10.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.

Bazaar and craftsmen`s market
11.00 a.m.
"Life in the Desert" - Tuaregs report in the Tuareg tent
12.00 p.m - 1.30 p.m.
Talk in the university tent
1.30 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Story telling and clowns in the children`s tent

Open Stage:
1.30 p.m.
Wally Warning (Calypso, Reggae and Soul from Aruba)
3.30 p.m.
Leo's Den (20 years of Reggae from Würzburg)
5.30 p.m.

Aurélio & the garifuna soul band (Garifuna-music from Honduras)


Evening Programme:
REGGAE NIGHT
8.00 p.m.
Sebastian Sturm & Exile Airline - modern roots reggae from Germany
10.00 p.m.
Stephen Marley - Reggae All-Rounder from Jamaica

7.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m.
DJ Hi John Shafarai in the restauration tent
7.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m.
Lady DJ Tania (Curaçao) in the Havana Club
9.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m.
Film presentations in the ARTE movie tent