Bandung Asian-African Conference Anniversary Festival

An Asian-African Festival will be held in Bandung, capital of West Java, in conjunction with the 59^th anniversary of the historic first Asian-African Conference that took place in this city in 1955. The Festival will proceed from 18 – 24 April 2014 along Jalan Asia Afrika and at the Asian African Museum.   

The historic Asian African Conference in 1955, better known as the Bandung Conference, was the first time ever that 29 newly independent countries, who had just shed the yoke from centuries of colonialism, gathered in this city to join hands to determine their own future. Together the countries covered a quarter of the world’s land surface inhabited by a total population of 1.5 billion people. Main issues deliberated then, and apparently still very relevant today were: the struggle for Independence, the threat of a Nuclear War and cooperattion towards World Peace.

The one week festival is meant to relive the extraordinary energy and values that existed in our common history and to further boost friendship and solidarity among Asian and African nations, said Head of the Asian African Museum, Adrian Siregar in Bandung, as reported by Antara News. . 

The Festival is organized by the Museum under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, carrying the theme: “ Continuing the Spirit of Cooperation  among Asian-African Nations”

The event will be participated by 10,000 students from Bandung as well as from other countries.  

On 19-20 April, the Asian-African Friendship Days (AAFD) will be held at Cikapundung, west of the Museum, filled with activities among which on conservation and the environment.  There will also be Bandung Historical Study Games (BHSG) and a solo concert by Leo Kristi.

Other activities held in the conference hall of Gedung Merdeka on 18th, 21^st, 23rd and 24^th  April 2014  will include a Story Telling competition on Asia and Africa participated by highschool students from Bandung.

Tthere will also be a talk show with those who were active and experienced the first Asian African Conference in 1955.

The Festival will be preceded by all particiipants walking along the “historic walk” from Homann Hotel to Gedung Merdeka, followed by the hoisting of flags of the Asian and African nations and the viewing of an Asian African exhibition. (IndonesiaTravel)

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