December 26 – January 1, 2009
Kwanzaa is an African American holiday celebrated from December 26 through January 1. It is based on the agricultural celebration of Africa called “the first fruits” celebrations, which celebrate the times of harvest, gathering, reverence, commemoration of the past, recommitment to cultural ideals and celebration of the good.
St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation presents its annual celebration of Kwanzaa, the Triangle’s only seven day program nightly beginning at 7:30 PM with the traditional candle lighting ceremony, December 26 through January 1, 2009. Doors open at 6:30 PM, where several vendors will participate in the African marketplace. On January 1st doors open at 12 noon and at 1:00 PM activities kick off with the NC premier screening of The Black Candle, directed by award winning filmmaker MK Asante, Jr. All events are FREE and open to the public.
The Black Candle is a landmark film that uses Kwanzaa as a vehicle to celebrate the African-American experience. Narrated by world renown poet Maya Angelou and directed by award-winning author and filmmaker M.K. Asante, Jr., The Black Candle is an extraordinary, inspirational story about the struggle and triumph of African-American family, community, and culture. Filmed across the United States, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, it is a timely illumination on why the seven principles of Kwanzaa (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith) are so important to African-Americans today. The first feature film on Kwanzaa, The Black Candle traces the holiday’s growth out of the Black Power Movement in the 1960s to its present-day reality as a global, pan-African holiday embraced by over 40 million celebrants. With vivid cinematography and an all star cast that features the best and brightest from the hip-hop and the civil rights generations, The Black Candle is more than a film about a holiday: it’s a celebration of a people!
To view schedule of events, click here.
