As a Ghanian who was born in Canada, Afrofest is a celebration I can enjoy and take my kids to, so that they can experience all that is amazing from the Continent. This is an injustice not only to those of African descent, but to all Canadians! Many of whoms only experience of people of African heritage is history class or World vision commercials! Keep multiculturalism alive!
Or make every festival that celebrates different cultures to one day! Let's be inclusive and not divisive!
S
sharon
10 years ago
This city is so wrapped up in corporate sponsorship, advertising dollars and 10 day events like pride festivities (which is no longer about community - but about corporations injecting cash - it has forsaken what we need, celebration in music, arts, culture and people. COMMUNITY! this city has its priorities messed up. (it also appears to be rearing its racist face)
C
Cindy
10 years ago
Afrofest is an integral contributor of culture, art, tourism to Toronto and the province at large . Removing and/reducing this event would be a reflection of Ontario's failing commitment to diversity. Given the UN's most recent report about Canada's action toward the treatment of Blacks and the province's ongoing failure to realize an anti-racism agenda....eliminating this event and those like is endemic to this government.
A
Andrew Barrington
10 years ago
I disagree with the perceived reason for the reduction in time, as these are legitimate and even factual complaints so can we please stop the cry of racism/discrimination for everything. That being said either you grant the full weekend permit or none at all and there isn't sufficient reason to wholesale ban the festival so give them the permit and monitor the event accordingly.
K
Kim Francis
10 years ago
Stop shutting down signature multicultural events
C
Coby Kadima
10 years ago
We need our two days for Afrofest. #netouchezpasanotreevenement
A
Alexandrine Kelley
10 years ago
This is one of the best festival Toronto has been hosting for years!!!! Please keep it alive and don't change anything!!!!
L
Lisa Ross
10 years ago
Should continue to be a yearly event
J
Junior Harrison
10 years ago
The city needs to consider the people of African decent are part of the working class back bone that allows our city to thrive. Many work shifts that may include one of the days of the weekend. Having a 2 day event allows for greater attendance from said communities. The event always respects the City of Toronto by-laws otherwise this event would not have been as successful as it has for as many years as it has been in existence. Thank you.
T
Tina Giustizia
10 years ago
Great festival, never miss it.
Would be a shame for the City to cancel it.
M
Mary Asekome
10 years ago
Afrofest draws a large audience from within and outside Toronto every year and it is one of the ways we try to promote our vibrant African culture here. Downsizing the festival is just a gradual process of shutting it down and the noise complaint is just another excuse. What happened to promoting Toronto's multiculturalism?
C
cailey campbell
10 years ago
full support for Afrofest's statement and it's regular two-day festivcal!
M
mitchell gold
10 years ago
this requires serious organization, and involvement of the media - plan the celebration of our success!!!
I
Isaac Ansah
10 years ago
If the city can allow a 1 week Jazz Festival which makes more noise then the biggest Pan African Festival in Canada needs more days not less.
K
Kamala Sivasankaran
10 years ago
This is a wonderful family event that celebrates diversity and culture; a tradition I share with my father every year. Please keep this event going and give it the support it deserves!
J
Jerelyn Craden
10 years ago
This exceptional festival goes a long way in promoting Toronto to the world-at-large and enriching the cultural environment for its residents. Look at the big picture and reinstate its 2-day status!
C
Candace Shaw
10 years ago
Please allow them to go forward with two days - are we a Music City or not?! Weigh the great joy of 150,000 Afrofest attendees against the short-lived inconvenience of a few grouchy residents, please!
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Afrofest is an important weekend celebration where we can engage, uplift, share, and learn. Cutting Afrofest down to single day to celebrate such a diverse continent, where people from all over, come to participate and celebrate, is at best absurd and at worst reveals how The City truly views "Africaness" and "Blackness". Afrofest is a family event, a community event, an event for Toronto and beyond to enjoy, I hope to see you all on Saturday AND Sunday!
E
Ella
10 years ago
Why don't they cancel carribana why cancel Afrofest where people get to share and learn different cultural experience.
Let African music play on.
As a Ghanian who was born in Canada, Afrofest is a celebration I can enjoy and take my kids to, so that they can experience all that is amazing from the Continent. This is an injustice not only to those of African descent, but to all Canadians! Many of whoms only experience of people of African heritage is history class or World vision commercials! Keep multiculturalism alive! Or make every festival that celebrates different cultures to one day! Let's be inclusive and not divisive!
This city is so wrapped up in corporate sponsorship, advertising dollars and 10 day events like pride festivities (which is no longer about community - but about corporations injecting cash - it has forsaken what we need, celebration in music, arts, culture and people. COMMUNITY! this city has its priorities messed up. (it also appears to be rearing its racist face)
Afrofest is an integral contributor of culture, art, tourism to Toronto and the province at large . Removing and/reducing this event would be a reflection of Ontario's failing commitment to diversity. Given the UN's most recent report about Canada's action toward the treatment of Blacks and the province's ongoing failure to realize an anti-racism agenda....eliminating this event and those like is endemic to this government.
I disagree with the perceived reason for the reduction in time, as these are legitimate and even factual complaints so can we please stop the cry of racism/discrimination for everything. That being said either you grant the full weekend permit or none at all and there isn't sufficient reason to wholesale ban the festival so give them the permit and monitor the event accordingly.
Stop shutting down signature multicultural events
We need our two days for Afrofest. #netouchezpasanotreevenement
This is one of the best festival Toronto has been hosting for years!!!! Please keep it alive and don't change anything!!!!
Should continue to be a yearly event
The city needs to consider the people of African decent are part of the working class back bone that allows our city to thrive. Many work shifts that may include one of the days of the weekend. Having a 2 day event allows for greater attendance from said communities. The event always respects the City of Toronto by-laws otherwise this event would not have been as successful as it has for as many years as it has been in existence. Thank you.
Great festival, never miss it. Would be a shame for the City to cancel it.
Afrofest draws a large audience from within and outside Toronto every year and it is one of the ways we try to promote our vibrant African culture here. Downsizing the festival is just a gradual process of shutting it down and the noise complaint is just another excuse. What happened to promoting Toronto's multiculturalism?
full support for Afrofest's statement and it's regular two-day festivcal!
this requires serious organization, and involvement of the media - plan the celebration of our success!!!
If the city can allow a 1 week Jazz Festival which makes more noise then the biggest Pan African Festival in Canada needs more days not less.
This is a wonderful family event that celebrates diversity and culture; a tradition I share with my father every year. Please keep this event going and give it the support it deserves!
This exceptional festival goes a long way in promoting Toronto to the world-at-large and enriching the cultural environment for its residents. Look at the big picture and reinstate its 2-day status!
Please allow them to go forward with two days - are we a Music City or not?! Weigh the great joy of 150,000 Afrofest attendees against the short-lived inconvenience of a few grouchy residents, please!
Afrofest is an important weekend celebration where we can engage, uplift, share, and learn. Cutting Afrofest down to single day to celebrate such a diverse continent, where people from all over, come to participate and celebrate, is at best absurd and at worst reveals how The City truly views "Africaness" and "Blackness". Afrofest is a family event, a community event, an event for Toronto and beyond to enjoy, I hope to see you all on Saturday AND Sunday!
Why don't they cancel carribana why cancel Afrofest where people get to share and learn different cultural experience.