One the major highlights of the 2005 Pan African Bookfest will be a special audio-visual panel presentation entitled “Rastafari in the 21st Century – Pan African Perspectives”, which takes place on Thursday, April 21, 2005. The 3-hour long event starts at 8:00 p.m. at Florida International University’s North Campus, 3000 NE 151st Street, Miami and is being presented by the Broward County Libraries and Parks and Recreation Divisions, in association with TAFARI of FIU, and Rootz Reggae & Kulcha Magazine.
“Rastafari in the 21st Century – Pan African Perspectives” will feature multi-media audio-visual presentations by a 4-person panel: Dr. Michael Barnett, a Rastafarian Professor in Sociology and Anthropology at FIU; Empress Chipo Chemoyo, a Rastafarian Global Application Scientist specializing in Immunology and Bio-technology; Priest Douggie Smith, a Rastafarian businessman, herbalist and one of the founding members of the Miami branch of the Ethiopia Africa Black, International Congress; and I. Jabulani Tafari, a Rastafarian journalist, author and publisher of the Rootz Reggae & Kulcha Magazine.
The panelists will provide a unique Rastafarian perspective on the Pan African significance of the Ethiopian Emperor’s 1966 State Visit to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad, Jamaica and Haiti; on 21st century trends in the Pan African Movement following the recent “Africa Unite” – Bob Marley 60th Birthday anniversary Rasta/Reggae celebration in Ethiopia; on the issues of Repatriation and Reparation as the ultimate 21st century solution to the Pan African dilemma; and on the Rastafarians as socio-political successors of the Pan African Patriarch Marcus Mosiah Garvey.
The information-packed presentation will also showcase Rastafarian books and other related literature, traditional Rasta drumming, videos and music, and is scheduled for the ballroom on the second floor of FIU’s Wolfe Center. The forum is being held on April 21 in celebration of the 39th anniversary of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I’s arrival in Jamaica on April 21, 1966. A short documentary film about the Emperor’s historic 3-day long state visit to the island will be screened during the event.
The Master of Ceremonies will be Kevin “Ital-K” Smith, host of Sounds of the Caribbean on WLRN 91.3 FM, and there will be no charge for entry to the event. Free refreshments will be served during the opening reception. “Rastafari in the 21st Century” is being sponsored by the the Broward County Libraries and Parks and Recreation Divisions, TAFARI and the Student Government Association of FIU, Rootz Magazine, Talawah Roots Tonic, Afiwi-dot-com, and Vibez Radio 101.9 FM.
For more information about “Rastafari in the 21st Century” call 305-227-3149 or 954-557-2683.
The main event of the 2005 Pan African Bookfest and Cultural Conference takes place at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd, Fort Lauderdale from 12 noon to 7.00 pm on Saturday, April 23, 2005.
For a complete listing of scheduled events and programs during the 2005 Pan African Bookfest and Cultural Conference visit www.broward.org/library or call the Bookfest Hotline at 954-357-7348. All events are free unless otherwise indicated.
