Arts/CultureDiaspora

The Black Star Festival 2025 to celebrate Ghana’s heritage in D.C.

The Black Star Festival has announced a unique cultural event that will bring the disturbing history of Ghana’s slave dungeons, and the pulsating art and theatre of the Gold Coast, to the Washington D.C. metro area in the United States under the theme “A Touch of Gold,” from October 25 – 26, 2025.

The festival is powered by GD Visionary Group in collaboration with Ghana’s National Commission on Culture (NCC), Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, the Diaspora Affairs Office of the President of Ghana, and the Black Star Directorate.

The event, aiming to position Ghana as a global hub for cultural tourism and investment, will be hosted at 5700 Sanger Ave, Alexandria, VA 22311. Originally dated for September 26 – 28, the event was rescheduled to “deliver its intended impact as a flagship platform for Ghanaian heritage, cultural diplomacy and Pan-African solidarity,” as disclosed in a statement by the festival.

The event is a celebration of African culture, heritage, and creativity featuring music, arts, fashion, film, and business networking. The aim is to position Ghana as a global hub for cultural tourism and investment by taking these unique experiences to a new audience.

The immersive experience will feature a virtual tour of Ghana’s historic slave dungeons and evocative theatre plays inspired by the Gold Coast, alongside art exhibitions, cultural performances, music, fashion, film, and business networking.

Inspired by Ghana’s nickname, “The Gold Coast,” the festival scheduled from 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, celebrates the country’s history, culture, and creative arts. The event features a line-up of talented artists and performers including Ibrahim Mahama, Kwame Akoto-Bamfo, Betty Acquah, Samuel Lovi, and Serge Attukwei Clottey.

The Executive Director of the NCC, Mr. Wakefield Ackuoku, mentioned that the Black Star Festival is in line with the objectives of the Ghanaian government’s Black Star Experience (BSE) initiative, a flagship branding strategy that uses culture, arts, and tourism to boost Ghana’s international image and economy.

According to Mr. Ackuoku, the initiative is a continuation of programs like the Year of Return and Beyond the Return. “The Black Star Experience is built on a foundation of cultural diplomacy and shared identity. The Black Star Experience didn’t come from a vacuum. It is built on the foundation laid by previous programs, as government initiatives are a continuum, he said.

“We’ve seen the Year of Return, Beyond the Return, and now we are evolving the Blackstar Experience into the future… This festival evolves that vision, connecting Ghana’s past and present with global audiences,” he added.

The Black Star Festival invites the Washington DC metro area, particularly Diaspora communities with ties to Ghana or an interest in West African culture, to join this impactful journey through history, art, and the enduring spirit of Ghana.

“For more information, visit www.theblackstarfestival.com or follow @theblackstarfestival on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. For inquiries, contact info@theblackstarfestival.com. Join us for an unforgettable celebration of African culture, heritage, and creativity that bridges continents and generations. We look forward to welcoming you to The Black Star Festival 2025,” announced the Black Star Festival.

Watch the official event press launch in Ghana via the video below and click/share the following link to register/confirm attendance: tinyurl.com/TheBlackStarFestival2025

Written by Oral Ofori

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