[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1268-E1269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN ARTS FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 1999

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, the International African Arts Festival, 
formally known as the African Street Festival, has been a cultural 
institution providing a venue for African-inspired culture to the 
Brooklyn community for 28 years. Started in 1971 as a graduation 
ceremony for the Uhuru Sasa School, the festival grew into a major 
event attracting international attention. Held each summer during the 
July 4th weekend, the festival features an African marketplace of over 
200 vendors providing unique arts, crafts, foods, and goods from all 
over the world. The marketplace is the backdrop for continuous 
entertainment on two stages. The festival has hosted award winning and 
internationally recognized entertainers and recording artists.
  In 28 years, the festival has grown into a major event for the 
Brooklyn community. Attracting over 50,000 visitors each year, the 
International African Arts Festival continuous to grow and dig its 
roots deeper into the community. Among the festivals many featured 
events are the talent search, ``Ankh'' awards ceremony, living legends 
awards, special showcases for seniors, a parade down Fulton street, 
scholarship presentations, African marketplace, and world-class 
entertainment.
  Tens of thousands of people visit the festival every year just to 
shop for the diverse, rare items that have become the trademark of the 
marketplace at the International African Arts festival. The people of 
New York know that they can come to the festival to find the latest in 
paintings, sculptures, jewelry, furniture, and goods of every kind. The 
shopping

[[Page E1269]]

atmosphere creates an economic boom attracting entrepreneurs and aiding 
in local, small business development. The economic benefits of the 
festival also results from the hundreds of jobs created by the 
festival.
  The International African Arts Festival creates an environment of 
unity for the Brooklyn community. The world-class entertainment 
showcased at the festival represents the diversity of the African 
Diaspora. Audiences can expect to witness captivating performances by 
artists from Africa, America, the Caribbean, and Latin America on any 
one day. This atmosphere is further enhanced by vendors who sell 
delicious international foods. The friendliness of other participants 
and the warm feeling it fosters, under a bright sunny sky, completes 
the experience of Brooklyn's own International African Arts Festival.

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