The first programme releases are now available for the spring 2023 World Village Festival that takes place during the last weekend of May (27–28 May 2023). The lineup for the festival in Suvilahti, Helsinki, includes the superstars of African music: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 and Toya Delazy. These promoters of pan-African culture and strong human rights influencers will take the stage at the festival themed on Force for Change and bringing people together to seek solutions for a more sustainable future.
Nigerian Seun Kuti inherited the leader role of Egypt 80 when his father, the Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, passed away 25 years ago. Ever since assuming the frontman role when aged only 14, Seun Kuti has continued to deliver his father’s political and musical legacy, defending the oppressed and fighting against corruption as well as developing Afrobeat, the genre combining West African and American music styles with complex intersecting rhythms and percussion.
“My mission is to bring Pan-African culture around the world and music is a medium that allows me to express my message. For this I thank the World Village Festival which will give me the opportunity to do it with the Finnish public. Events like this give people the opportunity to have a discussion on various topics and that’s what we need, in an era where our brains are increasingly lazy”, Seun Kuti says.
Nominated for the Grammy Award in 2019, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 have previously performed at events including Flow Festival and Pori Jazz in Finland and at numerous international festivals and arenas.
Creator of Afrorave Toya Delazy
Also confirmed for the festival lineup is Toya Delazy, famous for her unique infusion of techno and drum&bass with Zulu lyricism. Delazy’s Afrorave draws from her roots in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, as well as the sonic identity of her adopted hometown, London.
Delazy stands as an icon for the oppressed and repressed, taking a strong stand for issues such as human rights, sexual rights and cultural diversity. Also a UNICEF ambassador, Delazy encourages everyone of African origin to unapologetically express themselves and their cultural identity.
World Village 2023 themed on Force for Change!
Organised since 1995, World Village Festival is a sustainable development festival that hosts debates on current global topics and encourages people to take action for a more sustainable future. Bringing together tens of thousands of people and hundreds of organisations, the free international event is organised at Suvilahti, Helsinki, from 27 to 28 May 2023. This year’s theme is Force for Change! The main organiser is Finnish Development NGOs Fingo, an umbrella organisation for around 270 development organisations. The main partners are the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Maailman Kuvalehti magazine.
Exhibitor registration open until 22 February
In addition to featuring music, talks and discussions, kids’ programme and art, the festival is also a trade fair for civil society organisations (CSOs) and sustainable development where hundreds of organisations showcase their activities for a better world and sell ethically produced goods and food from around the world. The sign-up for the festival is open until 22 February. The festival will release more programme details in March–April.
World Village Festival will bring individuals and communities interested in the Earth’s future together for solutions and actions in May 2023. Join in to change the word and create a collective force for change! Join! Act! Change!
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More information
Communications: Nelli Korpi, nelli.korpi@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6698
Programme: Johanna Eurakoski, johanna.eurakoski@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6696
Exhibitors: Maria Hopponen, maria.hopponen@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6742
Cooperation: Marjo Martin, marjo.martin@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6694
