A Multimedia Interactive Exhibition, showcasing soundscapes, oral histories, and visual art. Led by the African Communty in Vienna and rooted in embodied knowledge, Carnival of Connections will foster intergenerational and intercultural dialogue while celebrating non-religious ancestral practices:
- 17:00 Doors Open & Welcome Drinks: Guests are invited to explore the space, enjoy a welcome drink.
- 18:00 Welcome speech
- 18:15 Opening Performance
Performer: Mmanwu
Performance: The masquerade intervention. A dance of the masked spirits. Masquerades are central to Igbo culture, often representing ancestral spirits.
- 18:30–19:30 Panel Discussion: From childhood wonder to ancestral wisdom. Intergenerational Dialogue on Memory, Identity, and the African Diaspora
Panellists:
Clara Nneka, is founder and convener of The Umugo Cultural Dancers, a voluntary group of twelve young Africans born in Austria with Nigerian roots. Since 2013, she has been mentoring them in dance, drama, debate, and cultural education, helping them stay connected to their African heritage while growing up in the diaspora. Through her organized performances and workshops, they aim to celebrate identity, promote cultural pride, and bridge generations through storytelling and tradition.
Obinne is a lively young human with a curious mind and a passion for discovering new interests. She expresses her creativity through vibrant paintings, often inspired by the world around her. When she’s not painting, Obinne enjoys listening to stories and playing sports.
Chioma is an intelligent kid who loves reading and dancing. She enjoys getting lost in books and expressing herself through dance, always eager to discover new stories and moves.
Bright Chinedu is a Sustainability Policy Intern based in Vienna, Austria, with a background in Maritime Management Technology. Originally from Imo State, Nigeria, he has worked with both national and international companies in the maritime sector. Currently pursuing an MSc in Global Change and Sustainability.
Moderator: Henrie Dennis, A Nigerian born human rights activist, art curator, academic researcher and cultural mediator who continuously works on improving the lives and realities of queer communities in Africa as a continent, Austria and the diaspora.
- 19:30 Break, Refreshment
- 19:45 Mmiri screening (Video-Documentation of the Carnival of the waters on the 28th of June 2025)
- 20:00 Performances
The Umugo Cultural Dancers
They are a group of young individuals of Nigerian heritage, born and raised in Austria, who aim to present their cultural roots. Through dance, drama, debates, and other artistic expressions, they acknowledge and preserve their traditions.
Marissa Lobo
She is an artist, curator and cultural producer. She is dedicated to bringing together practices of hospitality, care and affection, nurturing transformative and political artistic practices. She was part of Maiz, a self-organized collective of/for migrants. She is the co-founder and artistic director of “Kültüř Gemma!”, and co-curator of projects such as “Night School” at the Wiener Festwochen Smashing Wor(l)ds: Cultural Practices for re/Imagining & un/Learning Vocabularies, Vivências | Art as Vessel to Conjure Space of Softness, Soft Club and currently the Festival MEZEKERƎ for Global Majority Arts, Politics & Care.
- 20:30 Live Music
Joe Lyimo is a Tanzanian musician, composer, and poet blending hip-hop, with several other music styles to create dynamic soundscapes. He has collaborated with local and international artists, participated in residencies and produced works such as “Nitafanya” (2023). His poetry includes “Echoes of Luxuria,” published in Queer/Trans Magic Magazine (2023). In 2024, he founded Harmony for Health, integrating art and health. He received the Goethe Talent Scholarship in 2023 for his contributions to cultural discourse.
Mr Ambassador – Karim Thiam, born in Senegal, began creating theater music at age 5, inspired by the rich cultural heritage of his homeland. After 12 years of international touring with André Heller’s “Afrika Afrika” show, he returned to Austria to focus on his project, “Mr. Ambassador.” His band, “Voice of Afrika,” blends Mbalax, African pop, folk, and world music, using their music to address social, educational, and economic issues in Africa while presenting a true image of the continent.
- 21:45 DJ & Lounge
DJ Wizzy
Blending Afrobeat and Dancehall to end the evening with a social, danceable vibe.
Exhibition (throughout the evening):
- A curated showcase of artworks:
- Let them speak – Image on canvas collection of the goddesses
- Carnival of the waters: Video installation of the documentation of the event on the 28th of June 2025
Video Installation of “Mmiri”
With this project, the Nigerian activist, curator, and cultural mediator Henrie Dennis highlights the cultural expressions and experiences of the African community in Austria. Rooted in protest, the Nigerian carnival carries a complex history – shaped by colonial violence, the return of formerly enslaved Afro-Brazilian communities to Nigeria, and long-standing local traditions. Within this framework, the Carnival of Connections explores themes such as colonialism, slavery, liberation, roots, food, and culture. At the same time, it brings the conversation around democracy, diversity, and cultural integration into public space.
