Tanzania plans cultural festival alongside AFCON 2027
The Arusha International Cultural Festival, organised by the African Tabasamu Foundation (ATAFO), is scheduled to take place during AFCON 2027, which will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
An international cultural festival will showcase Tanzanian arts, entertainment and traditions to visitors during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in the country's northern city of Arusha, an official said Tuesday.
The Arusha International Cultural Festival, organised by the African Tabasamu Foundation (ATAFO), is scheduled to take place during AFCON 2027, which will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
ATAFO Director Samora Edwin Mlowe said the festival will provide a platform for artists and young people to showcase their talents and cultural products to football fans visiting Arusha during the tournament.
"If a match is scheduled in the evening, visitors can spend the day at the festival, go to the stadium to watch the match and later return for cultural entertainment," Mlowe said.
He said the festival will feature traditional dances, paintings, tailoring, weaving, carving, pottery, beadwork, leather products and other handicrafts.
Mlowe said the expected influx of visitors during AFCON 2027 could create new markets for locally made products and provide income opportunities for young artists and craftspeople.