The Sierra Leone Arts & Culture festival Returns

Good news wi fambul dɛm… we are excited to announce that the Sierra Leone Arts and Culture festival #SLACfest  is back for its fifth edition, the first in-person edition since 2019, after a pandemic-induced two years hiatus. Founded in 2017, #SLACfest is a renowned showcase, exhibition and cultural exchange, which attracted over 350 people in 2019 and over 2k views in 2020.

As with every subsequent event, #SLACfest 2023 will be our biggest event to date with not only two days of showcasing and celebrating Sierra Leone Arts & Culture, but also to be held across two venues in two different boroughs across both sides of the river in London.

Day 1 of SLACfest 2023 will take place on Saturday 4th November, 12-7pm, at Brixton House – situated in South London, the heart of the Sierra Leone community, and will be split into 2 parts; The Re-introduction (12-4pm) & The Re-emergence (3-7pm).

• Part 1: The Re-introduction will be a family-friendly programme that includes ‘A Brief history of Sierra Leone’s history’, a taster to our much loved ‘Krio Klas’, some friendly competition in our interactive #ASabiPasYu Quiz, Live Acoustic Music, Spoken Word Poetry, Storytelling, and ‘wɛlbɔdi na jɛntri’ – our very own Health and Wellbeing Panel Discussion.

   

• In between Part 1 and 2, attendees are welcome to browse our very own Smɔl Makit (Marketplace) with vendors and exhibitors specially curated to match the theme of our festival. Our Marketplace will also be open throughout the day for members of the public to engage with our vendors and photography and arts exhibition.

   

• Part 2: The Re-emergence will feature more live music & Spoken Word poetry, short film screenings, presentations, ‘Make Sierra Leone Famous’ panel discussion hosted by Vickie Remoe, and a Keynote Speech.

   

• Can’t commit to an extended programme? Fear not, because we’ve also got Something Light for attendees who may wish to just drop in and out at any time. Theatre 2 will be home to some of our exhibitions and a series of short films, feature film previews and family-friendly workshops that attendees can drop in and out of as they desire throughout the day. And true to Salone culture, we’ll be partying the evening away at our after-party, with a DJ set and immaculate vibes. 

Day 2 will see SLACfest make its way back to East London for the first time since 2017, taking place on Sunday 5th November, 2-5pm, at Poplar Union, our long time partners. Sunday’s program will put a spotlight on the festival’s accompanying exhibition, with Siana Bangura in conversation with the artists who made it possible, exploring identity, belonging and home.

Tickets to the Sierra Leone Arts & Culture festival 2023 #SLACfest are OUT NOW.

The festival agenda & further information on artists and other contributors will be available soon. Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to receive updates.