“Everyone Has an African Story” – The 8th HTCC Africa Expo

The organizers promised the largest and most interactive Africa Expo ever organised. In 2019, this was accomplished. According to GLOBS Magazine, the thematic event of four days was colorful and entertaining for the public, at the same time it also proved to be very useful for professionals.

„Everyone has an African story. We are here to give credible and sincere picture of Africa for the 40 thousand visitors in the next three days.” With these words, Ildikó Szilasi, founder of the Africa Expo and the Travel To Africa travel agency, opened the 8th HTCC Africa Expo and Fair.

At the prestigious opening ceremony, Sándor Balogh, founder of HTCC and President of the Hungarian-African Union (AHU), held the first speech. HTCC is the chief exhibitor and diamond-level sponsor of the Africa Expo.

As every year, Mr. Balogh has emphasized the inevitability and economic weight of the African continent in the world, as well as in the economy.

This year, the chief sponsor and prominent country in focus of the expo was Uganda, the Pearl of Africa and home of mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. The country’s wildlife, national parks, wonderful, dense and green areas can be one of the major touristic attractions of the future in the East African region. The opening ceremony of the 8th HTCC Africa Expo was honored by the presence of Hon. Kitutu K. Mary Goretti, Minister of Water and Environment in Uganda, and her promising words. She said she has identified many fruitful business opportunities and connecting points between Uganda and Hungary.

She encouraged everyone to visit the peaceful, wonderful and exotic country of Uganda, which is worthly called the Pearl of Africa.

At the opening ceremony of the expo, the embassies of Angola, Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco to Budapest were represented at the highest level. Furthermore, Madam Ambassador of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe stationing in Belgium was also present.

Zsófia Könczöl, head of the AHU Knowledge Center for the village project, presented the problems and the possible solutions to them through her own African experiences. Women are in the focus of this HTCC project. Training were organized which provided extensive knowledge that women can utilize in their daily lives. The subjects covered hygiene, sewing and contraception. This is a great opportunity for young girls who, under other circumstances, would marry and give birth to a child at the age of 16-17. In such circumstances, it is very difficult to finish even high school. In addition, Zsófia also emphasized that knowledge can be more accessible for the rest of the family as well as future generations, through the experience acquired by the involved women.

During the four days of the event, every visitor could find out how they make baskets, necklaces and pumpkin souvenirs in Africa. Furthermore, the most important African food ingredients, fashion tips about colorful headscarfs and the recipe of the sweet potato brownie were also presented.

Article by Tamás SZŰCS

Photos: GLOBS Magazine

Source: GLOBS Magazine