As Africa prepares for Africa Day, an event that commemorates the founding of the African Union and celebrates the continent’s quest for unity, Google is launching a series of programs and activities to honor Africa’s diverse cultural heritage and provide opportunities for people all over the world to experience and engage with the continent’s creativity and richness.
Among the programs are six new pocket galleries on Google Arts & Culture, curated by esteemed partners from Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. These pocket galleries offer an immersive experience of virtual exhibitions, providing a 360-degree view of artworks and artifacts, effectively allowing people to step into the heart of Africa’s cultural scene from wherever they are.
Partners include Nigeria’s Yemisi Shyllon Museum and Terra Kulture, Kenya’s Mohamed Amin Foundation and National Museums, and South Africa’s University of Pretoria. Each partner will showcase one-of-a-kind exhibitions celebrating their individual regions, allowing for a diverse exploration of Africa’s rich cultural legacy.
In prior years, YouTube Music hosted the Africa Day Concert, which included current and emerging African music talent. This year, YouTube Music will release an AfricaDay playlist including popular and trending music from African artists. This effort will also involve the general public, who will be able to submit their favorite African music via YouTube Shorts for a chance to be featured on the playlist.
The celebrations will also promote African storytelling traditions through the “Stories and Storytellers of Africa” initiative on YouTube, which will feature a large variety of African films and series, as well as the people who bring these stories to life. In addition, as part of the “Showcase Your Africa” program, YouTube will collaborate with content creators to express their perspectives on Africa, providing a glimpse into the continent’s variety.
“Africa Day is a celebration of progress, unity, and the vibrant cultures that define the continent,” said Alistair Mokoena, Country Director for South Africa. We are thrilled to be able to share these stories and experiences through our platforms. We are excited to share and celebrate Africa’s culture with the world, from discovering our rich artistic past through Google Arts & Culture to dancing along to the #CelebrateAfrica playlist on YouTube Music and connecting with intriguing narratives on YouTube.”
