A special festival will celebrate the heritage and stories of Black communities, as part of Black History Month and Calderdale’s Year of Culture 2024.
This year’s Black History Month theme is ‘reclaiming narratives’, inviting members of the Black community to take part in shaping how their stories are told, ensuring their voices are heard and celebrating their contributions.
In support of this theme, Calderdale Council is teaming up with the Ese ne Tekyerema Foundation to showcase the untold stories, unsung heroes and everyday individuals who have made an impact on our communities.
From Friday 25 to Monday 28 October 2024, the ‘Chocolate Has A Name’ (CHAN) Festival will shine a light on the untold stories behind West Africa’s rich cocoa farming heritage, and the deep connections between West African cocoa production and European chocolate consumption.
Through art and culture, as part of the year-long CultureDale(external link) programme, the festival will feature an interactive exhibition highlighting cocoa’s circular economy, a community mural, a vibrant African marketplace, speeches from representatives of the Ghana House of Chiefs, performances by renowned artists, powerful collaborations with local talent, and the historic Golden Pod Breaking Ceremony – the first of its kind to take place across the Atlantic, marking a pivotal moment in reframing the cocoa sustainability narrative to ‘cultivator-to-consumer’.
Details of the full festival programme can be found at www.culturedale.co.uk/events/chocolate-has-a-name-chan(external link)
The CHAN Festival is funded by Calderdale Council and the British Council, with key partnerships including the Racial Justice Network, All’s Fair, Moms on a Mission, Lancashire Fair Trade National Campaigners Committee, Halifax Unity and the Folklore Centre.
Other CultureDale events have also celebrated Black History Month, including:
- The Black British Ballet Island Movements performance at the Central Library and Archives on Wednesday 16 October, telling the story of a Caribbean family whose parents came over on the Windrush, exploring the impact of this generation’s experiences on their families, communities and society.
- Four mixed-media performances across Calderdale exploring the working-class history of Ovenden and the incredible story of Champion Jack Dupree, capturing the history of those who welcomed him and shedding light on themes of migration, sanctuary and cross-community solidarity.
- A mixed-media art exhibition in the Everybody Gallery at Shaw Lane, Halifax, showcasing stories of resilience, power and migration, rooted in Ghanaian folklore.
Cllr Danielle Durrans, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, said:
“It’s really inspiring that we can use culture and art to spread the word about Black History Month. To ensure that the history of Black communities is told with the respect, dignity and accuracy it deserves. And to enable Black communities to take control of their stories, celebrate their heritage and ensure their voices are heard. This is a big part of our priority to reduce inequalities, and shows the power of the Year of Culture, local action and talent to drive meaningful change.”
Adelle A’asante, Artistic & Creative Director at the Ese ne Tekyerema Foundation, said:
“Sε w’ankasa wo tirii ho a, yε yi wo ayi bᴐne,” – “If you do not tell your story, be sure someone else will, and they might not tell it right.”
“These are the wise words of my grandmother, Akosua Otenewa Onyamaka, a revered Ghanaian griot and cocoa farmer.
“As we honour Black History Month and embrace this year’s theme, Reclaiming Our Narratives, these words resonate deeply, reflecting on the power of stories which form the scaffold of society, cultures, communities, and histories.
“As a key commissioned organisation for CultureDale, we are committed to sharing narratives that not only shape our community but challenge existing frameworks, sparking transformation in culture, industry, and policy.
“In celebrating half a century since becoming a borough, we extend an invitation through the CHOCOLATE HAS A NAME Festival into the next pages and chapters of our collective story, as we examine the narratives that have shaped the world we now know and see, whilst offering an invitation to the Wells of REPAIRations.
“Through this festival, we own the script and change the narrative of cocoa and chocolate sustainability, because CHOCOLATE HAS A NAME.”
Be part of Black History Month using #ReclaimingNarrativesBHM on social media to share your stories, connect with others and keep the conversation going.
The Year of Culture (CultureDale(external link)) is a 12-month celebration of Calderdale turning 50 on 1 April 2024 – a landmark moment in the borough’s story – and marks the ultimate year for the Vision 2024 for Calderdale(external link).
The whole CultureDale programme features locally-created events, festivals, exhibitions, performances and initiatives for everyone to enjoy from April 2024 to April 2025. The programme reflects Calderdale’s rich history, amazing landscapes, incredible people, creativity, entrepreneurship, talent and diversity.
CultureDale is funded by Calderdale Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund.