The Ataya reflection space will open the agenda every afternoon with talks and workshops and renowned guests such as the Ghanaian social entrepreneur and writer Umar Ousman, the Saharawi journalist of RTVE Ebbaba Hameida or the African fashion designer Tida Coly.
Dancers Makuriya and Quinndy will lead several of the daily Afro-modern dance sessions.
With its own sign and stage. And a complete cultural and leisure agenda to liven up the evenings and sunsets. Right in the heart of the concert venue of the international reggae festival Rototom Sunsplash in Benicàssim -from August 16 to 21- Jamkunda emerges one more year, a space from where to ‘conspire’ for the common good and join in the construction of a new humanity through music, cultural encounters and participatory activism.
It is, without a doubt, one of the most dynamic areas of the venue, which is in itself a mini festival within a macro festival, and which lands with more activity than ever.
The evenings in this space will take place from midnight to 5 a.m. on the Jamkunda Stage, a platform for the projection of Afro-modern music that will bring together several of the main groups that are promoting these genres, from Afrobeats to Afrohouse in Spain. All hosted by comedian WizProblema with fellow master of ceremonies Shopsydoo and dancer Makuriya.
This is the case of Follow the Party, which will open the bill on August 16 accompanied by its resident dj’s and the dance crew formed by Quinndy, RealKing and Félix Bandeira.
From Barcelona comes Oyofe (Saturday 17) with his show dedicated to promoting African urban dance in collaboration with djs RJayMusiq, Walter Dj and Dj Soffmae, and dancers Yemi Osokoya, Oulouy, Tyson and Mamy.
On Sunday 18 will land another of the novelties of the stage: AfroCommunity, a special evening with all the groups participating in this edition of the festival to celebrate the new Afro music, from AfroBrunch to Oyofe, Follow the Party, Zsongo (who will perform on Monday 19) and Shopsydoo and Dj SoGood as special guests from London.
Thus, Zsongo will take over this collective party, which will be followed on August 20 and from Rome, the Afrovillage meeting with Dj Obas and Dj Kiky, and closing (August 21), a special edition of AfroBrunch with Dj Enny, Dj PapperCuts, Dj Kgs, Dj Javs and Dj AfriK, and special guests such as Alu, young promise of Afrobeats in Spain.
But before these rhythmic evenings, it will be the space for constructive reflection Ataya who will kick off the programming of Jamkunda, the village of the Baobabs. Each afternoon, from 17.00 to 18.30, the Ataya forum will bring out its agenda of talks and workshops that, under the theme of this edition, ‘The Power of Utopia’, will bring together leading African representatives to share their thoughts and projects.
Opening the program will be the session ‘The Colors of Utopia‘, with African fashion designer Tida Coly, to explore the idea of utopia through the prism of art and design. A visual and conceptual journey to imagine a future full of possibilities.
‘Chasing the horizon. Discipline to Achieve Dreams’ (August 18) will feature guests Umar Ousman, a social entrepreneur and writer from Ghana, and RTVE Saharawi journalist Ebbaba Hameida, who will discuss the importance of motivation and discipline in transforming dreams into tangible realities, as well as the vital role of the diaspora in strengthening African communities of origin.
On Monday 19 will take over the Workshop ‘The ingredients of good coexistence’, in which the Guinean cook Mayra Adam and Soli, entrepreneur and Senegalese chef of the restaurant Abarka -present in the international outdoor restaurant of Rototom Sunsplash- will show the power of union and collaboration through the kitchen.
‘The Power of Utopia’ will take the stage on August 20 with Loueila Mint, lawyer and human rights activist of Saharawi origin, and Sani Ladan, Cameroonian writer and expert in geopolitics and international relations. The challenge, to analyze how physical borders and occupations affect communities such as the Sahara and Palestine, and to reflect on how communities can organize to stop human rights abuses and violations and bring about decisive change.
Ataya will bring the curtain down on August 21 with ‘United to Break the Walls’. A choral session with Sani Ladan, Mamadou Dia, social entrepreneur and founder of Gandiol’s Hahatay organization, and Tida Coly, to discuss how small, everyday actions can connect to create a wave of change and build a future based on justice and equality.
Afromodern dance for sunsets
As in every edition, the transitional activity slot between Ataya and the Jamkunda Stage evenings will be for Afro-modern dance sessions (from 6pm to 7.30pm), with Makuriya and Quinndy, leading a cast of international dancers that also includes Oulouy and Fatu Afrykangyal, along with Ali Thioune with a traditional African dance session on August 18.