Culture experts and enthusiasts have applauded the Africa Day 2026 Cultural Hangout Festival held in Manchester last weekend.

The event brought  together speakers, artists, entrepreneurs, and community

stakeholders for a day focused on culture, heritage, tourism, and international

collaboration.

Hosted at the Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre, the event provided a platform

for dialogue on how cultural assets can support destination promotion, economic

development, and stronger relationships between African and UK communities.

The event was organised by Aihawu Victor, Founder and CEO of the Cultural

Hangout Festival, who welcomed guests and spoke about the importance of

preserving cultural identity while creating opportunities for future generations.

“We often celebrate culture through food, fashion, and entertainment, but culture is

also a powerful tool for education, tourism, business, and community development,”Victor said during his presentation.

One of the highlights of the day was a discussion session that brought together

speakers from both Nigeria and the United Kingdom to share perspectives on

tourism, culture, and destination development.

Representing Badagry Local Government in Lagos State, Ms. Avoseh-Akwe

Senami Oluwakemi, Council Manager, spoke on Tourism as a Tool for Local

Economic Development. Drawing from the experiences of Badagry, a town known for

its rich history and cultural significance, she explained how communities can benefit

when heritage is properly preserved and promoted.

Another speaker, Careen Joseph, explored opportunities for collaboration between

African and UK destinations. Her presentation focused on how cultural partnerships,

tourism exchanges, and shared projects can create stronger connections between

communities on both sides.

Aihawu Victor also delivered a presentation on ‘The Role of Culture and Heritage in

Destination Promotion’, encouraging participants to see cultural assets not simply as symbols of the past but as valuable resources for education, tourism, and economic development.

Away from the discussion sessions, the atmosphere throughout the day reflected the diversity and creativity of Africa. Guests enjoyed live music, drumming, instrumental

performances, cultural displays, and opportunities to interact with businesses and creative entrepreneurs showcasing their work.

Performing artists added energy and excitement to the festival, creating moments that brought people together through rhythm, storytelling, and shared cultural

experiences. For many attendees, the event was more than a celebration. It was an opportunity to reconnect with heritage, build new relationships, and explore ideas that could lead tofuture partnerships and projects.

The festival was delivered with support from partners including CareersBar, Reftop

Homes Ltd, and the Centre for Youths Integrated Development (CYID).

As the day came to a close, participants left with new contacts, fresh perspectives,

and a renewed appreciation for the role culture can play in bringing people together

across borders.

The Cultural Hangout Festival continues to grow as a platform that connects culture

with education, tourism, enterprise, and community development, creating spaces

where heritage is celebrated while new opportunities are created for the future.

Pope Leo XIV has offered a message of hope to believers as the world faces growing violence and tension.

The pontiff, in a video message released on Sunday, June 7, for the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy, said: “In a world marked by tensions and violence, we need to remember that God’s mercy is limitless and has the power to change our hearts,

“Amid the vortex of violence that poisons relationships and destroys lives, the mercy of God asks to be allowed into our hearts with its amazing power of renewal,” the Pope emphasized.

“It is this mercy that is capable of turning our lives around, opening the way to love and forgiveness as distinctive features of the face of God manifested through us.”

The 6th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy is taking place in Vilnius, Lithuania, from June 7 to 12. This event takes place every three years in a different country and centers on proclaiming and promoting God’s Divine Mercy through testimonials, lectures, cultural events, liturgies and more.

In his video message the Pope greeted His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who is attending the event, as well as the Archbishop of Vilnius, Gintaras Grušas, the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, and all those participating. He also recalled how this initiative “was so strongly desired” by St. John Paul II.

God never tires of showing his mercy

In his video message, the Pope underlined how in “today’s world, with its many fears and anxieties, tensions and wars” there is “an increasingly urgent need for peace in the hearts of both individuals and peoples.”

“God never tires of showing His mercy,” the Pope insisted, adding that His love “endures forever, and how much our world is crying out for mercy at every level!”

Quoting St. Augustine who said that his only hope was in “God’s exceeding great mercy,” the Pope highlighted that, indeed, it is a source of joy and hope “when we experience how merciful God is towards each one of us.”

However, he explained that the peace “we so deeply desire cannot be attained without mercy.”

“Let us therefore join our trust in the infinite mercy of God with our own personal commitment to build a more welcoming and merciful society, beginning with our families,” he urged.

He concluded by encouraging those present to then bring back to their communities all they gathered from this international meeting and by imparting his Apostolic Blessing.