The water carries us home, the water takes us away.
We are the water’s memory, never lost, never still.
Carnival of the Waters
Carnival of Connections is open to all and will feature two distinct formats:
Carnival of the Waters, a one-day event on the Danube exploring themes of water, migration, and ancestral spirituality through performance, storytelling, and rituals.
A Multimedia Interactive Exhibition, showcasing soundscapes, oral histories, and visual art.
Rooted in embodied knowledge, Carnival of Connections will foster intergenerational and intercultural dialogue while celebrating non-religious ancestral practices.
Olokun
The Yoruba deity of the sea, goodluck and wealth. People worship Olokun, the Yoruba sea deity, with seafood offerings, prayers, dances, and rituals at coastal shrines for prosperity, health, and spiritual well-being
Gladys
MAYANJA
A deity in Ugandan mythology associated with rivers and water bodies. It is said that Mayanja governs rivers, streams, and water flow, ensuring their stability and abundance.
People offer sacrifices or prayers to Mayanja for protection, abundant water, food, and safe journeys.
Philip
ORISHA OSHUN
The goddess of beauty, embodying beauty, love, sexuality, water, and divination, is said to have once lost her allure. Orisha Oshun transformed herself into a stunning peacock and flew towards the heavens. The journey was so long that her feathers began to fall off. By the time she reached the sun, the intense heat scorched her colorful plumes, burning the delicate feathers from her head. Despite losing her beauty, she remains known as the goddess of beauty, which is why I choose this goddess to help remind us of our roots.
Sofia
ANANSA EKA ABASI
The goddess of Fertility, also known as the Mother of Gods, is a crucial figure in creation and childbirth. While not directly related to Abasi (the Supreme God), she is celebrated for her life-giving powers. Her dual nature commands both reverence and fear, influencing existence and procreation significantly. The Efik and Ibibio people hold her in high regard within their spiritual traditions. Among her powerful offspring is Obuma, the God of Thunder, often invoked during anger, frustration, or when curses are pronounced, offering divine intervention in difficult times.
Easy
ORUNMILA
The Orisha of wisdom, knowledge, and divination, recognized for his deep understanding of life and creation. His wisdom is considered second only to Olodumare, the Supreme Being. According to Yoruba tradition, Orunmila was present at the beginning of time, making him one of the first Irunmole. After the creation of the world and humanity, he became the chief priest of Ifá, the sacred system of divination used to understand destiny and guide people through life.
JemRose
MAWU
Goddess of birth and fertility.
Mawu is the Goddess of birth and fertility, revered as a creator. Her name means “she who has created all things.” Respected in African spiritual traditions, she is kind yet powerful. Mawu formed the heavens and earth and controls nature and life. She ensures balance and abundance for all living beings. People perform rituals and ceremonies to seek her favor, asking for good harvests, prosperity, and blessings.
Blessing
IKENGA
The Igbo deity of power, insight, and accomplishment is invoked for prosperity in personal and governance pursuits. As a leader, I embody his essence to face challenges with courage and vision. Ikenga represents resolve and honorable success, inspiring me to maintain honesty and lead with harmony and progress.
Cele
The Umugo Cultural Dancers
Are a group of young individuals of Nigerian heritage, born and raised in Austria, who aim to present their cultural roots. Through dance, drama, debates, and other artistic expressions, they acknowledge and preserve their traditions. The group has developed into a platform for promoting African identity and heritage in the diaspora.
Nneka
Program
Carnival of the Waters
When: Saturday, 28.06.2025
Where: Badestelle Kaiserwasser
Procession (land to boat)
Performance (on the Boat)
Procession (boat to land)
Food & Drinks
Free admission!
Exhibition & Party
When: Saturday, 12.07.2025
17:00–23:00
Where: Flucc, Praterstern, barrierefrei
Free admission!
A Multimedia Interactive Exhibition, showcasing soundscapes, oral histories, and visual art. Led by the African Communty in Vienna and rooted in embodied knowledge, Carnival of Connections will foster intergenerational and intercultural dialogue while celebrating non-religious ancestral practices:
17:00 Doors Open & Welcome Drinks: Guests are invited to explore the space, enjoy a welcome drink.
18:00 Welcome speech
18:15 Opening PerformanceMmanwu
Performance: The masquerade intervention. A dance of the masked spirits. Masquerades are central to Igbo culture, often representing ancestral spirits.
18:30–19:30 Panel Discussion: From childhood wonder to ancestral wisdom. Intergenerational Dialogue on Memory, Identity, and the African DiasporaPanellists:
Clara Nneka, is founder and convener of The Umugo Cultural Dancers, a voluntary group of twelve young Africans born in Austria with Nigerian roots. Since 2013, she has been mentoring them in dance, drama, debate, and cultural education, helping them stay connected to their African heritage while growing up in the diaspora. Through her organized performances and workshops, they aim to celebrate identity, promote cultural pride, and bridge generations through storytelling and tradition.
Obinne is a lively young human with a curious mind and a passion for discovering new interests. She expresses her creativity through vibrant paintings, often inspired by the world around her. When she’s not painting, Obinne enjoys listening to stories and playing sports.
Chioma is an intelligent kid who loves reading and dancing. She enjoys getting lost in books and expressing herself through dance, always eager to discover new stories and moves.
Bright Chinedu is a Sustainability Policy Intern based in Vienna, Austria, with a background in Maritime Management Technology. Originally from Imo State, Nigeria, he has worked with both national and international companies in the maritime sector. Currently pursuing an MSc in Global Change and Sustainability.
Moderator: Henrie Dennis, A Nigerian born human rights activist, art curator, academic researcher and cultural mediator who continuously works on improving the lives and realities of queer communities in Africa as a continent, Austria and the diaspora.
19:30 Break, Refreshment
19:45 Mmiri screening (Video-Documentation of the Carnival of the waters on the 28th of June 2025)
20:00 PerformancesThe Umugo Cultural Dancers
They are a group of young individuals of Nigerian heritage, born and raised in Austria, who aim to present their cultural roots. Through dance, drama, debates, and other artistic expressions, they acknowledge and preserve their traditions.
Marissa Lobo
She is an artist, curator and cultural producer. She is dedicated to bringing together practices of hospitality, care and affection, nurturing transformative and political artistic practices. She was part of Maiz, a self-organized collective of/for migrants. She is the co-founder and artistic director of “Kültüř Gemma!”, and co-curator of projects such as “Night School” at the Wiener Festwochen Smashing Wor(l)ds: Cultural Practices for re/Imagining & un/Learning Vocabularies, Vivências | Art as Vessel to Conjure Space of Softness, Soft Club and currently the Festival MEZEKERƎ for Global Majority Arts, Politics & Care.
20:30 Live MusicJoe Lyimo is a Tanzanian musician, composer, and poet blending hip-hop, with several other music styles to create dynamic soundscapes. He has collaborated with local and international artists, participated in residencies and produced works such as “Nitafanya” (2023). His poetry includes “Echoes of Luxuria,” published in Queer/Trans Magic Magazine (2023). In 2024, he founded Harmony for Health, integrating art and health. He received the Goethe Talent Scholarship in 2023 for his contributions to cultural discourse.
Mr Ambassador – Karim Thiam, born in Senegal, began creating theater music at age 5, inspired by the rich cultural heritage of his homeland. After 12 years of international touring with André Heller’s “Afrika Afrika” show, he returned to Austria to focus on his project, “Mr. Ambassador.” His band, “Voice of Afrika,” blends Mbalax, African pop, folk, and world music, using their music to address social, educational, and economic issues in Africa while presenting a true image of the continent.
21:45 DJ & LoungeDJ Wizzy
Blending Afrobeat and Dancehall to end the evening with a social, danceable vibe.
Exhibition
(throughout the evening):
- A curated showcase of artworks:
Let them speak – Image on canvas collection of the goddesses - Carnival of the waters: Video installation of the documentation of the event on the 28th of June 2025
- Video Installation of “Mmiri”
What is it About
Water, Mami Water, Spirituality, Migration, Chants, Storytelling, Poetry readings, Dance, Igbo riddles, Performances, Group meditation, Rituals, Food, Ancestral Awakening – honoring Mami Water.
Focused on engaging the African community, particularly those who are disconnected or, for various reasons, excluded from the Austrian art scene.
Child-friendly activities specifically designed to resonate with African children of different generation in the diaspora.
Emphasis on sharing non-religious ancestral spirituality, deeply exploring themes of home and belonging as well as emphasis on embodied knowledege.
Multimedia Interactive Exhibition: The Carnival of the Waters will inform the themes explored in the exhibition space.
This event is conceived as a platform for archiving and sharing knowledge, with the exhibited materials drawn from both the preparation for and the duration of the festival.
Rather than following a traditional show or performance structure, it will present collected materials, including sound installations and visual illustrations.
The exhibition will serve as a culmination of research and knowledge production,
incorporating interviews, oral histories, and storytelling.
A celebratory opening day will feature a moderated panel discussion with four experts.
Team
Henrie Dennis, Joy Alphonsus, Noah Rieser, Melina Vesely, Pramila Lama, Petja Dimitrova, Oke Fijal, Marisel Bongola, Louis Hofbauer, Nora Soponyai, Marissa Lobo
Performers
Celestine Ekwulugo, Sofia Juliet Ishola, Philip Masembe, Israel Bassey, JemRose Ehibe, Blessing Ehigiamusoe, Gladys Omoregbe, Bamingo Donatus, Raymond Kalikwu, Ifeanyi Ogbu Ọjà
With The Umugo Cultural Dancers, Nneka, Oluchukwu (LoveMore), DJ Wizzy, Ebele, Karim Thiam Tama (Mr Ambassador)
