Future Forum: Focus on Africa
Discussions, Concerts, Presentations
8–9 April 2016, Musikmesse, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Organized by Music In Africa and various partners at the Musikmesse international music fair in Frankfurt, Germany from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 April 2016, Future Forum: Focus on Africa is an initiative designed to place key focus on the African music sector for the first time in the event’s history. Music In Africa will be a key focus as one of the organisations playing a pivotal role in connecting the African music sector. There will be a number of activities in Germany as part of this programme, including a showcase concert headlined by Cameroonian musicians Macase, Danielle Eog Makedah and Krotal, who will also be collaborating with German musicians after an exchange workshop at the Pop Academy in Mannheim, Germany.

With Hans-Jürgen Blinn, Christoph Borkowsky, Jens Cording, Hauke Dorsch, Johannes Ebert, Danielle Eog, Jenny Friedrich-Freksa, Theo Geissler, Caro Gstädtner, Eddie Hatitye, Christian Höppner, Christoph Kannengießer, Lars-Christian Koch, Juan Martin Koch, Andreas Kolb, Krotal, Macase, Andiswa Makana, Andre Le Roux, Boniface Mabanza, Yvette Mutumba, Stefan Oschmann, Jay Rutledge, Alya Sebti, Students of the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg and many more.

Music plays a special role in Africa. It is not only part of traditional culture, but also a potentially commercial activity. However, there are very limited resources for preserving music and enabling professional musicians to share experiences or promote their work. Music In Africa, an internet portal developed by the Siemens Stiftung, Goethe-Institut and Music In Africa Foundation, invites people to get to know and love the music being made on the continent. With an innovative digital concept, it intensifies the public’s focus on the music sector in Africa, establishes networks and helps create a dynamic civil society. Eddie Hatitye, the Director of the Music In Africa Foundation, will offer insights into the portal (in English).

In Africa, a high priority is placed on oral history. But this tradition is slowly fading. The Internet provides many people with new and comprehensive access to information. What impact is this having on the music sector? How can the archiving of music preserve tradition and how can the opportunities of digitalization be seized at the same time? Dr. Hauke Dorsch of the Africa Archives in Mainz, Dr. Markus Coester of the University Bayreuth, Iwalewahaus and Dr. Lars-Christian Koch of the German Phonogram Archives will discuss the issue with Juan Martin Koch, editor in chief of the music newspaper “neue musikzeitung.”

Africa is becoming of greater interest to Europe. And it is much more than the fears that many people have about the unknown of Africa that is catching our eye on the continent. It is our interest in the diverse cultures, the new rhythms and the unbelievable optimism that this continent has to offer. Today, many representatives of German institutions are focusing intensely on the politics, societies and culture of Africa. These individuals include Alya Sebti of the German Institute of Foreign Policy, Johannes Ebert, the General Secretary of the Goethe-Institut, Dr. Stefan Oschmann, the head of the Africa Festival Würzburg, and Dr. Yvette Mutumba, Curator of the World Cultural Museum Frankfurt. In a discussion with Jenny Friedrich-Freksa, editor in chief of the cultural magazine “Kulturaustausch,” these specialists will talk about their wide-ranging activities.

The potential negative impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on culture and education has already been the source of much discussion and protest in Germany. But Europe would not be the only continent affected by TTIP. In our connected world, the impact of monumental political decisions can hardly be confined any longer within national and European borders. Rather, thinking has to extend well beyond them. Christian Höppner, the President of the German Cultural Council, Hans-Jürgen Blinn, the representative of the German Federal Council on the Trade Policy Committee of the European Council, and Boniface Mabanza of the Ecumenical Service on Southern Africa, will join Theo Geissler, publisher of the music newspaper “neue musikzeitung,” in discussing the potential impact of TTIP on Africa.

The musical life of South Africa is colorful and lively. The SAMRO Foundation plays a key role here with its initiatives that support live music. This discussion will explore projects that not only serve as models in South Africa, but are also of interest to Europe in connection with the information platform Music In Africa. Taking part in the discussion will be Andre Le Roux, Director of the South African SAMRO Foundation, and Eddie Hatitye, Director of the Music In Africa Foundation, together will Jens Cording, the project head for music at the Siemens Stiftung (in English).

“Bantu Groove”: Makossa and bikutsi, the urban music of Cameroon, combined with a heavy dose of pop drive – this is what Macase is all about. For years now, the band from Yaoundé has been gaining fans in Central Africa and beyond with its inspiring programs and warm, soulful sounds – now, Frankfurt am Main. You will be able to hear Macase in the Brotfabrik in a very special program: In addition to their classic performance, they will present the results of a workshop with the rap legend Krotal and the young singer Danielle Eog as well as the students of the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg that was held in Mannheim leading up to the concert. And this is typical for Macase: The band has constantly reinvented itself during its 20-year history. It has integrated new styles by adding young musicians, trying out new things and generating new momentum in the process: a danceable musical journey that stretches across continents. A concert that is part of the Musikmesse Festival.

The African economy and interest in trade with the continent are growing. Many strategists think its creative industries have particularly good potential. But how can we set up a trade relationship that benefits both sides? How do you get the ball rolling? Which approach is promising? Christoph Borkowsky of the World Music Expo (WOMEX), Judith Helfmann-Hundack, Director of Investment & Development Policy at the German-African Business Association and Jay Rutledge, a member of Outhere Records who is active as a culture manager in Africa, will explore this topic with Theo Geissler, publisher of the music newspaper Neue Musikzeitung.

Afroton is a brand of rhythm, acoustical and melody instruments from all parts of the world with a focus on Africa. As real specialists with a love for detail and African spirit, they have gained a wealth of experience with original instruments and will present samples of their master craftsmanship.

Works made by contemporary artists from the collection of the World Cultural Museum in Frankfurt and music videos from Africa will give visitors a taste of the creativity to be found on the continent. The sheet music collection of the SAMRO Foundation from Johannesburg will open the way. Visitors will be able to view the notes of African composers that have never been seen before at the music trade fair. Works will be presented live on stage by pianist Caro Gstädtner and a scholarship recipient of the SAMRO Foundation, the young soprano Andiswa Makana.

Tickets:
Musikmesse/Future Forum (25 €): www.musikmesse.de
Concert (18 €), free entrance with Musikmesse ticket: www.brotfabrik.de

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROGRAMME (IN GERMAN) HERE.