The founding gathering of the Appearance Republic.
Be part of the inaugural moment where community, dialogue, arts, culture, and visibility come together to launch ASWALK Festival.
The Vision
Before ASWALK travels across Africa, we gather to build a strong foundation. The Maiden Edition is a focused two-day convening designed to introduce the Appearance Republic, foster connection, and establish the values that will guide future editions.
The Two-Day Programme
Day One: Convene & Connect
Day One is dedicated to conversation, learning, and community-building.
It creates space for people to meet, listen, reflect, and connect before moving into public celebration.
Africa Appearance Summit (AAS):
- Creative Workshops: Structured conversations, panel discussions, and focused workshops exploring how appearance, skin conditions, and visible differences affect psychosocial well-being (social, emotional, and mental health), healthcare experiences, and everyday life. These sessions bring together people with lived experience, health professionals, advocates, researchers, and policymakers to discuss challenges, share insights, and explore African-led approaches to change.
- House-Based Workshops:
Exclusive “Safe Spaces” for members of the 11 Appearance Republic Houses to connect, to engage in storytelling, identity conversations, peer support, and collective care. These workshops are designed to foster belonging, understanding, and confidence in a safe and respectful environment. - Cultural Exchange:
An evening of creative expression through music, spoken word, performance, and conversation. Stories are shared through African cultural forms, led by people with lived experience, creating space for reflection, connection, and celebration.
Day Two: Participate & Celebrate
- The Inter-Condition Games:
A participatory, adaptive gathering where the Appearance Republic Houses engage through sport, culture, and creative representation. - Collective Visibility Action:
A public moment of unity and presence, affirming dignity and shared identity. *First World Record attempt. - The Founding Celebration:
Marking the official launch of ASWALK Festival. *Second World Record attempt.
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Date: July 31st – August 1st
Further details to be announced.
Sign up to receive early updates and participation access.
🧭 THE ROAD AHEAD
- 2026 — The Maiden Edition (Lagos, Nigeria)
Establishing a foundation through dialogue, community gathering, and visibility. - 2027 — Expanding the Spectrum (Nigeria)
Growing into a multi-city, multi-format festival with expanded cultural and community programming. - 2028 — Travels to an African Country
Thoughtful expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting local collectives and context-led editions.
🔹 🔹 🔹
A Moment of Global Visibility
As part of the Maiden Edition, ASWALK Festival will host a planned large-scale collective visibility action designed to amplify African voices and place appearance justice on the global stage.
This action includes a proposed World Records attempt, positioned not as spectacle, but as a statement:
that people living with visible differences belong fully in public life, culture, and history.
The attempt will be embedded within the broader programme of dialogue, community gathering, and cultural expression, ensuring visibility is rooted in dignity, participation, and purpose.
Details of the attempt will be shared with registered participants and partners.