Join us for a transformative weekend at the CHOCOLATE HAS A NAME (CHAN) festival in Calderdale, honouring the dignity and stories of cocoa farming and those whose destinies are closely tied to chocolate, through art and culture. Featuring artists from Africa and the diaspora, this event showcases powerful collaborations with local talent. By stirring emotions, evoking empathy, and inspiring action, our festival seeks to drive meaningful change.

Launching in October, our festival will include activities such as the sacred golden pod breaking ceremony, an interactive exhibition highlighting cocoa’s circular economy, a community mural, a vibrant marketplace, and more!

The CHAN festival is generously funded by Calderdale Council and the British Council, with key partnerships including the Racial Justice Network, All’s Fair, Moms on a Mission, Lancashire Fair Trade National Campaigners Committee, Halifax Unity, and the Folklore Centre.

These partnerships and investments bring to the fore the impact of this festival in championing the (C2C) cultivator-to-consumer narrative for true cocoa and chocolate sustainability because CHOCOLATE HAS A NAME.

See the programme below and watch for updates on the Eventbrite link.

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Plain text programme:

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FORMAL FESTIVAL LAUNCH - SACRED GOLDEN POD BREAKING CEREMONY

Date: 25.10.2024

Time: 10:30 - 14:00

Venue: Halifax Town Hall, Crossley Street, Halifax, HX1 1UJ

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KOKOO 360 EXHIBITION: A CIRCULAR INNOVATION FROM WASTE TO WONDER

Date: 21.10.2024 - 31.10.2024

Launch date: 25.10.2024

Time: 15:00 - 18:00

Venue: CultureDale Hub, Unit 2 Northgate House, Market Street, Halifax HX1 1UR

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KOKOO RAVE: AN IMMERSIVE AFRO-BEATS CLUB EXPERIENCE

Date: 25.10.2024

Time: 22:30 - 01:00

Venue: Nelson's Wine Bar, Crown St., Hebden Bridge, HX7 8EH

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A MARKET DAY AT ASESWA AFRICAN ARTS, CRAFTS AND BAZAAR MARKETS: A VIBRANT AFRICAN MARKEPLACE. DISCOVER GEMS FROM ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

Date: 26.10.2024

Time: 10:30 - 16:00

Venue: CultureDale Hub, Unit 2 Northgate House, Market Street, Halifax HX1 1UR

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NIGHT OF POETRY/THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES: MANSA MUSA, THE RICHEST MAN WHO EVER LIVED

Date: 26.10.2024

Time: 18:30 - 22:30

Venue: Fire and Water, 11-15 Hollins Mill Ln, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 2QG

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KOKOOASE CAUCUS: SYMPOSIUM/COMMUNITY MURAL ART

Date: 27.10.2024

Time: 11:00 - 16:00

Venue: Halifax Unity, 253 Queens Road, HX1 4NJ

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KOKOO TEA CEREMONY AND KOKOO MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP

Date: 27.10.2024

Time: 16:00 - 21:00

Venue: Hebden Bridge Town Hall, St George's St., Hebden Bridge HX7 7BY

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FESTIVAL CONCLUSION: CLOSING CEREMONY WITH REFLECTIONS

Date: 27.10.2024

Time: 21:00 - 22:00

Venue: Hebden Bridge Town Hall, St George's St., Hebden Bridge HX7 7BY

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