Colossium Magazine Colossium (Special Edition) | Page 55

The 2018 CHALE WOTE street art festival went down in Accra, Ghana in a colourful and memorable event has it always does. Artists, photographers and street performers from around the world descended on the suburb of Jamestown and transformed it into a street art museum. It is the collective effort of many young people ranging from artists, musicians, and filmmakers, writers to designers, students and activ- ists. It draws an average of over two thousand art lovers to the streets of James Town each year and this year was no different. The purpose of the festival is to promote the exhibition of alternative art in Ghana and to nurture an appreciation for different kinds of art among Ghanaians. Chale Wote means “Man, let’s go!” or is a reference to slippers worn on the feet. In the spirit of creativity and fun, this is an accessible term used by Gha- naians regardless of language. Chale Wote Street Art Festival is an alternative platform that brings alive the magic of art, music and dance along High Street in James Town, Accra. The festival re-imagines African folktales through a variety of art forms,graffiti murals, large photography displays, interac- tive art installations, live street performances, an African film festival, a fashion parade, a DJ jam block party, fashion and food marketplace. The President of the Republic of Ghana graced this year’s festival with his presence. Over the last eight years, the festi- val has transformed the city of Accra into the most active cultural hub in West Africa with the festival inspiring millions and possibilities in public space design through community sup- ported cultural production and by the Minis- try of Tourism, Ghana