This December, Accra will host the inaugural CLEAN Festival, a unique event celebrating the intersection of Christian faith, African culture, and the arts, organised by CLEANGH.
From December 20th to 28th, the festival will bring together Christian Creatives from across West Africa, the diaspora and beyond to explore their faith through various artistic expressions, fostering a deeper connection to their heritage.
The festival’s aim is to provide the opportunity to meet with creatives, chill and fellowship or network. There are however reasons why this initiative has come about.
One of the central aims of CLEAN is to address a trend particularly among younger generations of African heritage, to reconnect with their traditional roots. While this renewed interest in heritage can be enriching, it has sometimes led to religious pluralism or syncretism—a blending of indigenous practices with Christianity.
Some view the arts world as being in opposition with Christianity or even being African, it is unfortunately common to hear phrases such as Christianity being the White Man’s religion. The goal of the weeklong festival is to therefore create a space where attendees can explore the synergy between African culture and Christian faith, using art as a means to bridge these spheres while highlighting the rich history of Christianity in Africa.
CLEANGH is on a mission to build a community of Christian creatives, engage in conversations about art and Christianity, explore the relationship between Christianity and African traditions and to showcasing a variety of art forms such as fashion, literature, and film.
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Key Festival Events:
- Christ and Canvases (December 20th @ Ten25): A hands-on artistic expression day with a faith-centered approach – In short Eating and Painting with a view of the skies. Link to eTickets booking
- The Brunch (December 27th @ Nouveau Accra) : A gathering chance to eat and network with creatives and those interested in Art or Christianity at one of Accra’s finest new spots . Link to Tix.Africa listing
- Expo (December 28th @ Jambo ): An exhibition and networking event showcasing diverse art forms like fashion, literature, and film, featuring panel discussions and interactive opportunities. Link to Eventbrite tickets
Key Themes:
- Christianity’s Presence in Public Spaces vs. Visual Arts: The festival will explore why Christian influence is prevalent in public spaces but less so in the visual arts within West African society.
- Addressing Syncretism and Pluralism: CLEAN will foster discussions on integrating African culture and Christian faith without compromising the core tenets of Christianity.
- Christianity and Creativity: The festival will highlight the historical relationship between faith and the arts, particularly in Western contexts, and encourage a similar narrative for African artists.
Join the Movement
CLEAN invites artists, creatives, and those interested in exploring the intersection of faith and culture to participate in this unique festival. For more information and updates, please visit the official website: www.cleangh.com
Get interactive with CLEANGH on social media below:
Instagram: @projectcleangh
TikTok:@projectcleangh
Facebook: @CleanGH
X: @projectcleangh
