“The Festival Is Born: Tents, Drums, and a Dream”
“What began as a whisper, can one day become a mighty song. In the heart of Tübingen, far from the soil of Africa, a seed was planted—not in the earth, but in spirit. That seed was culture, identity, memory… and hope.”
“In 2007, a bold idea took form. Under a few tents, with borrowed chairs and beating drums, the very first Afrika Festival Tübingen came to life, it started in Reutlingen city nearby Tübingen. It was small, unpolished, but full of heart. For many Africans in Germany, it felt like coming home.”
EXPANSION & PARTNERSHIPS
“From 2012, the festival matured. No longer just music and food—it became a stage for dialogue. Together with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Reutlingen and Tübingen, the Africa Business Forums were born. Business met culture. And culture met opportunity.”
“This wasn’t just a party only. It was a summit of visions—connecting German industry with African potential.”
2015: CAMEROON IN FOCUS
“Then came 2015. The year Cameroon was in the spotlight. A powerful homecoming. A celebration of roots. It became the festival’s largest and most vibrant edition—proof that our culture, when embraced, could bring thousands together in unity and pride.”
“The founding organization, AfrikAktiv, teetered on the edge of collapse. Critics grew loud. Yet, the drumbeat never truly stopped.”
“With no funding but abundant purpose, this new chapter carried forward the legacy—stronger, wiser, undeterred.”
“What began as a gathering of tents and hearts has become a cultural institution. For the African community in Germany and friends of the continent, the Afrika Festival Tübingen remains a symbol. Of resilience. Of memory. Of what is possible—when vision meets community.”
After Covid Edition – 2022 met with even bigger challenges, the cold distances had began the cripple the African momentum, 2023, we danced and wave peace plant as invite and appeasement.
“Food vendors from across the continent offered more than just taste. They served belonging. Artists didn’t just perform — they told stories. And volunteers didn’t just help — they carried a vision forward.”
2013: DIPLOMATIC MILESTONE
“In 2013, a historic moment. The festival welcomed Ambassadors from across the African continent, bringing the diplomatic world to the people. Africa wasn’t only being represented in embassies—it was being celebrated on the streets.”
2017: CHALLENGES, CRITICISM & HIJACK
“But no vision walks a path without shadows. In 2016 and 2017, the festival faced its greatest storms. Not just in the skies—but within. Bad weather brought financial losses. Internal divisions gave rise to new organizations. And sadly, the very dream that united many, began to splinter.”
Struggles and Storms
“But no great vision grows without storms. In 2011, 2017, 2018, the skies darkened. Literally. Torrential rains soaked the tents. The crowds thinned. And within the community, rivalry began to form. 2017 the festival was Hijacked…”A beautiful dream, once shared, began to split. New organizations branched off. What had united a continent abroad now struggled under the weight of egos and exhaustion.”
*”We built a family… but even families fight. And sometimes, some choose
2019: REBIRTH – THE AFRICA WE WANT e.V.
“In 2019, out of the ashes, a new vessel for the vision was born: The Africa We Want e.V. — a name, a commitment, a dream rekindled. The purpose never changed: to unite, to educate, to celebrate, to connect.”
“There were times we thought it was over. But every time, she stood there— in the mud, still speaking. Still believing.” Mary Rose – Tübingen
2025, the jubilee edition – June 05 – 08, 2025
All Ambassadors ( Caribbean, Austria, Switzerland, Africa, France..) arrived 2 days before – the community, ready to celebrate 25 edition of a dream then …. this!
“It rained. Not once. Not twice. But the whole week from Monday to Sunday and every time. The skies opened, and heaven seemed to test the dream. But the Africa We Want was never built on sunshine alone—it was forged in storms.”
The rain may soak our skin—but it will never drown our dreams. We are Africa. And Africa shines, even in the storm.
And still—they came. From across Germany. From across Europe. Young faces with smiles into the future. The diaspora showed up, some in the rains, others umbrellas and drums. Because rain cannot wash away purpose. The rains had come to wash away the past for the Newbeginning. New Generation , the new seed to germinate and grow on solid grounds.
