The Pan African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) was founded in the mid-1980s by Efua Sutherland as a cultural initiative to unite Africans across the continent and the diaspora. It confronts the lasting impact of the transatlantic slave trade, fostering healing, resilience, and a renewed sense of identity.
Held in Ghana, a country with historic slave castles, PANAFEST transforms these sites into spaces for reflection and reconciliation. Beyond commemorating history, it also addresses present-day challenges such as human trafficking, brain drain, and resource exploitation while promoting African unity, technological progress, and global economic engagement.
Since its launch in 1992, PANAFEST has drawn participants from Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, and the U.S. The 2019 edition, themed “Beyond 400 Years: Reaching Across Continents into the Future,” marked 400 years since the start of the transatlantic slave trade.
A recent gathering at Ghana’s Elmina Castle brought together Africans worldwide to honor their heritage through cultural performances and discussions. Organized by the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the event emphasized unity and cultural resilience. Rabbi Kohain Halevi, a key convener, stressed the ongoing journey of Pan-Africanism and the need for rituals that strengthen the African spirit.
Ghana remains a focal point for African heritage, with plans to extend celebrations to Pikworo, another historic slave trade site. As Brazilian diplomat Luiza Horta noted, “Beyond the suffering, what connects us now is resistance and the enduring African influence in cultures worldwide.”
PANAFEST continues to reconnect Africans with their roots, celebrate resilience, and shape a unified future.
