1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
In focus
German election 2025Middle East crisisRussia's war in Ukraine
Latest audioLatest videos
Live TV
Music

International Africa Festival: Artists to look out for

Rachel Stewart
June 1, 2018

Once a year the great and the good from the African music scene descend on the Bavarian city of Würzburg to celebrate the diverse sounds of the African continent. Here's what this year's lineup has to offer.

https://p.dw.com/p/2ynwU
Africa Festival Würzburg Daara J Family
Image: Daara J Family

The International Africa Festival, which takes place in Würzburg, Germany, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. This year's festival, which runs from May 31 until June 3, brings together artists from across the African continent for a weekend of eclectic performances.

Mariama: Writing 'Raindrops'

Thousands of artists from 56 African and Caribbean countries have taken to the stage in Würzburg over the years. Among them have been hugely influential African artists, from Miriam Makeba (aka Mama Africa) to Youssou N'Dour.

We've put together some of the best acts from this year's lineup in the picture gallery above.

And it's not just African music that's in the spotlight in Würzburg: Food, dance and traditional crafts will be on display as well.

Designer Rama Diaw, from Saint-Louis in Senegal, will present a fashion show at the festival. She uses techniques like batik and sources her materials from Senegal, Mauritania and Mali.

Africa Festival Würzburg Rama Diaw
Senegalese fashion designer Rama DiawImage: Bugs Steffen
Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

Sängerin Mariama Jalloh

Singer Mariama: Creating a space 'where we can be human'

Singer Mariama: Creating a space 'where we can be human'

Ahead of her appearance at the Africa Festival in Würzburg and the upcoming release of her next album, Love, Sweat and Tears, singer Mariama Jalloh talked to DW about music, motivation and the places she calls home. (31.05.2018)
MusicMay 31, 2018
Filmstill aus Simon_Rittmeiers "DREXCIYA 2012 -Courtesy of the artist"

Afrofuturism: Between science fiction and reality in Africa

Afrofuturism: Between science fiction and reality in Africa

By now, many moviegoers have enjoyed futuristic visions of a high-tech African culture in the blockbuster "Black Panther." But a Dortmund exhibit shows that innovation is an everyday reality on the African continent. (20.03.2018)
CultureMarch 20, 2018
The large, yellow school but waits for its passengers

Museum on wheels brings art to West Africa

Museum on wheels brings art to West Africa

A group of artists have started a journey across West Africa in a rickety school bus. They want to bring culture to the region with their rolling art space while collecting inspiration for their own works. (11.04.2018)
PoliticsApril 11, 2018
Show more stories