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Asase Yaa and Weeksville Heritage Center Present Kwanzaa Fest 2020: Rising in Principle

The virtual celebration will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12, and will celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa honoring African heritage.
Photo credit: Asase Yaa

For the second year running, Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation and the Weeksville Heritage Center will hold a holiday collaboration to present Kwanzaa Fest 2020: Rising in Principle.

This year's celebration will be held online on Saturday Dec. 12, and is promising "to enliven your lives."

Asase Yaa Co-Founder and Executive Director Osei Williams said this year's Kwanzaa festival was curated to show how the seven principles of Kwanzaa applied to every facet of the culturally and socially diverse communities the organization served.

"Our show represents and embodies the shared creative spirit of our elected officials, artists, seasonal fashions and hairstyles," Williams said. "We hope to inspire and reinforce how our self-determination, collective work and unity can sustain the faith we've used to survive for the last 400 years."

Asase Yaa School of the Arts, Rubie Inez Williams, Brooklyn, #EndSars, police brutality, community, African dance, Nigeria
Photo: Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble

The tradition of Kwanzaa began in 1966 and is based on the Nguzo Saba or seven principles: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work & responsibility), Ujaama (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).

The seven principles honor African heritage, give thanks for the ancestors and for survival, and uplift family, community, and spirit, ushering in a new calendar year. Kwanzaa is celebrated after Christmas and until New Year's Day (December 26 - January 1).

This year's celebration was even more important to remember and observe collective resilience after all the challenges that 2020 has presented us with, Williams said.

The program will embody each principle in a virtual production, spotlighting local artists, community members and public officials,

This year's featured artists include Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, Brooklyn United Marching Band, Forces of Nature Dance Theater, Immanuel Wilkins Trio, Malandela Zulu, Malika Lee Whitney, Oshun, and a fashion show by Harriets by Hekima.

The festival will be emceed by Sharon Gordon and presenters will include range of local elected leaders.

At Weeksville, the tradition is celebrated early to coincide with the December Weeksville Weekend, which takes place on the second Saturday of the month. Organizers are asking local residents to gather the family, some food, libations, and login on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 from 6-8 p.m. to enjoy the show. Learn more here and register for the free event here.




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