George Daniels, Managing Director of the Oslo Afro Arts Festival talks about how the festival contributes to reshaping cultural narratives in Norway through the power of African arts.From teaching salsa classes to directing one of Scandinavia’s most vibrant cultural festivals, George shares his personal journey from South Africa to Oslo—a path fueled by love, fatherhood, and a vision for representation.We dive into how the festival reclaims Oslo’s Grønland neighborhood as a space of celebration, not stigma and negative stereotypes. George talks about curating experiences across generations—children’s drumming workshops, international music acts, fashion shows, food, and more—all aimed at uplifting African-Norwegian voices and building community.Plus, we get a glimpse of his future plans: cross-Nordic collaborations, deeper civic engagement, and growing the festival into a platform for social change.🔗 Learn more at osloafroartsfestival.no and follow @osloafroarts for the latest updates.Support the showInstagram: @myafricanaesthetic Website: https://www.myafricanaesthetic.com/
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6.1. Regina Ohiama Udalor: Nigeria.Norway
Discover how youth-led filmmaking is reshaping cultural narratives in Norway and beyond.In this episode, Regina Ohiama Udalor, producer & director at Peridot Films and founder of the Bragi Film Festival—shares her journey of building a sense of home in Norway while staying rooted in her African identity. Through the Bragi Film Festival, she empowers young people to tell their own stories, explore filmmaking as a career, and or as a bridge to cultural and generational gaps.Regina discusses how collaborative storytelling helps youth tackle personal themes like family, body image, and identity. Her unique approach connects kids from different backgrounds through shared stories and ideas, fostering empathy and highlighting their common humanity.As a film director, Regina blends traditional African storytelling with modern media, creating a powerful space for youth to express themselves as individuals while engaging in cross-cultural connection.Her film @The Lost Cafe was featured on Netflix and won the afriff Audience Choice Award Film 2017This year another film «A warm Christmas» directed by Regina will be showcased on Friday, May 16, 2025 at the African Pavilion/pavilionafriques at the Cannes Film Festival. @peridotent @reginaudalor @bragi_film_festival https://www.pavillonafriques.com@pavillonafriques https://bragifestival.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@peridotstudiosVisit our website or follow us on social media for updates on our work and opportunities to collaborate or support us.Support the showInstagram: @myafricanaesthetic Website: https://www.myafricanaesthetic.com/
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5.5. Thomas Presto: Norway. Trinidad. USA
In this episode, founder and creative director at Tabanka Dance Ensemble, Thomas Isak Michael Talawa Presto shares his journey of embracing his diverse heritage and the role of Africana aesthetics in his work. He discusses how his supportive family challenged societal stereotypes, shaping his artistic vision. We explore the significance of naming traditions and the profound resistance embedded within them, identity complexities in multicultural settings, and the challenges of seemingly innocent questions that cross personal boundaries. He reflects on how cultural practices like food and dance connect us to heritage and help reconstruct identity in the face of adversity. Thomas delves into the relationship between dance, African aesthetics and identity, offering insights on how cultural legacies shape personal narratives & storytelling through movement. We talk about “The Tawala Technique: An Africognosomatic Approach to Dance”; a technique that he has meticulously developed for over 27 years, one that represents a groundbreaking advancement in African and African Diaspora dance studies. Thomas also discusses the concept of the "cognoscape"—a way to present African perspectives outside Eurocentric academic norms and its intersections with cultural identity, artistic expression, and the ongoing push for inclusivity and decoloniality in the arts.https://tabankadance.com/Support the showInstagram: @myafricanaesthetic Website: https://www.myafricanaesthetic.com/
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5.4. Angelica Castillo Balanta: Colombia. Norway
Angelica Maria Castillo Balanta, founder of Miss Balanta Turbans & Headwear, takes us through her life across continents, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of adapting to new cultures. From the lively salsa capital of Cali in Colombia, Panama, Barcelona, and finally to Norway, her journey highlights the essence of community ties that transcend borders. She underscores the significance of building a supportive network and maintaining connections with the Colombian community and other Black friends as this has been pivotal in preserving her cultural identity and authentic self-expression.Angelica also reflects on the symbolism of turbans, not just as a fashion statement but as a cultural and political emblem uniting the African diaspora and allowing them to trace their ancestry- an exploration of African aesthetics that led to recognition at the Smithsonian's African History Museum. Instagram: @missbalanataMiss Balanta was featured in the “In Slavery’s Wake” exhibition at the Smithsonian's African History Museum. https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/in-slaverys-wakeSupport the showInstagram: @myafricanaesthetic Website: https://www.myafricanaesthetic.com/
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5.3. Peter Fongod: Cameroon. Norway
In an engaging conversation with Peter Fongod, we trace his journey from the oil and gas industry to the world of real estate investment. We talk about the emotional rollercoaster of career shifts from oil and gas to real estate; and the hurdles of starting anew which led to the birth of FolksEiendom. He also sheds light on the broader themes of economic opportunities within the African diaspora, highlighting the potential for growth when embracing new ventures. We talk about the evolving landscape of real estate investment for Africans in the diaspora/Norway. He advocates for leveraging resources and collective efforts, drawing parallels with other immigrant communities who successfully build wealth. Beyond financial gains, the conversation touches upon raising children with diverse backgrounds and the power of community and parental involvement in children's activities, reinforcing the value of nurturing relationships and life skills beyond traditional academic settings.Recorded: 31.10.2024https://www.folkseiendom.no/Support the showInstagram: @myafricanaesthetic Website: https://www.myafricanaesthetic.com/
This podcast is part of My African Aesthetic.On this Podcast, we shed light on the central and important roles Africans themselves have had, have and will have in creating sustainable neighborhoods and communities around the globe. Our work centers African Aesthetics, African design philosophy and placemaking. We do this through dialogue, project work, research, documentation and education.This podcast features thoughtful, constructive and reflective conversations with architects, artists, curators, designers, creatives, activists, innovators, community leaders and African design enthusiasts. We hope this podcast helps you expand and deepen your knowledge on African aesthetics, African design philosophy and placemaking and its role in creating inclusive and sustainable communities in Africa and beyond.https://www.myafricanaesthetic.com/
South Africa