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Unique cuisine at Zanzibar’s scenic Forodhani Gardens
It is early evening at the Forodhani Gardens and the gentle breeze blowing from the Indian Ocean provides for a relaxing atmosphere, but for 25-year-old Nuhu Halfan Hamisi, it is another night of work.
He had spent the whole day preparing food, which he has now laid out on a stand ready for hungry clients.
He is among many other food vendors who owe their livelihood to selling food to visitors at the gardens.
The Forodhani Gardens, overlooking the Zanzibar habour in Stone Town, is one of the island’s landmarks.
via The East African: - Magazine |Unique cuisine at Zanzibar’s scenic Forodhani Gardens.
BBC World’s “Heritage Heroes” Series Featured Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Aired on BBC World 3 July @ 0130, 0830 GMT and 4 July @ 1430, 2030 GMT
[For broadcast times in your time zone look up http://www.bbcworldnews.com
For more information, please see the Heritage Heroes website.
From the Heritage Heroes Website:
“Zanzibar’s Forodhani Park was shabby and decrepit until the Aga Khan Trust for Culture decided to restore it to its former condition. The project was one of a series of investments undertaken by the organisation over two decades to revive the ancient architecture of Stone Town. In his address at the opening of the park, the Aga Khan explains to Zanzibaris why preservation of the area’s urban inheritance is so important. ‘We undertake these projects in part because they can reinforce a sense of identity within proud communities, providing gateways to cultural understanding of the local citizens and visitors alike.’
via General News: BBC World’s “Heritage Heroes” Series Featured Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
BBC’s Heritage Heroes Video is now up
Zanzibar, Tanzania – Hero: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Zanzibar’s Forodhani Park was shabby and decrepit until the Aga Khan Trust for Culture decided to restore it to its former condition.
http://www.heritageheroes.org/series/series1/zanzibar-norway-china/viewfull
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Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Tanzania: is Zanzibar an urban idyll? | Guardian Weekly
Guardian Weekly reader Dolar Vasani describes a visit to Zanzibar’s Forodhani Gardens – a seafront sanctuary filled with walkways, benches and food stalls
Zanzibar is hot and sticky. It is the prelude to the long rains. In the evenings, I find myself looking to escape the stuffiness of my hotel room. Within a short walk, past the madrasa, are the Forodhani Gardens, a seafront sanctuary filled with walkways, benches and food stalls.
This rehabilitation project spearheaded by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture has restored a variety of sites that mark Zanzibar’s rich history. Only men in white aprons and chef hats manage the many stalls of the night market, known for its shellfish, meat kebabs, fruit, freshly pressed sugarcane juice and, of course, the local Zanzibar pizza.
More: Tanzania: is Zanzibar an urban idyll? | World news | Guardian Weekly.
Forodhani Gardens in Zanzibar
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A tour of the famous Zanzibar Island | The Standard
Forodhani Park
Even when it has rained, the heat can still be unbearable. Considering the huge number of airplanes on the tarmac, it is easy to conclude that many tourists love to visit this beautiful coast.
Various air charter companies ferry tourists to Zanzibar in all manner of aircraft from the smallest that carry just four people to the largest accommodating more than 50 passengers. Zanzibar has many tourist attractions but one of the most famous sites is Forodhani Park. Situated just 10-minutes drive from the airport, the park recently upgraded by the Aga Khan Cultural Foundation at close to Sh210 million, borders the Indian Ocean. It offers a spectacular view of the blue waters with several vessels anchored. The breeze at the sandy beaches is a welcome relief from the tormenting heat. The whole of Zanzibar seems to congregate at Forodhani and this has been a venue for cultural and other events carried out in this Indian Ocean island.
According to Mr Ali Mirza who works with the Zanzibar Tourism Foundation, they have succeeded in marketing the country as a destination for sun, sand and sea.
He said tourism now contributes 10 per cent to the country’s economy following an aggressive marketing campaign undertaken by the company.
“The largest number of tourists comes from Italy due to the fact that we are near Malindi. We also have a lot of tourists visiting from Germany and England. We are also currently looking to attract tourists from the Far East and Russia,” he said.
According to Mirza, the foundation is also working on how to attract other Africans to visit Zanzibar. He said they attend many promotions and tourism fairs _in different world capitals and that this has worked to attract many tourists. He admitted that this year’s _economic crisis also affected their tourism industry but aggressive marketing has reversed the situation.
via The Standard | Online Edition :: A tour of the famous Zanzibar Island
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Visit to Zanzibar’s Forodhani Gardens
Zanzibar: an urban idyll?
Guardian Weekly reader Dolar Vasani describes a visit to Zanzibar’s Forodhani Gardens – a seafront sanctuary filled with walkways, benches and food stalls
Zanzibar is hot and sticky. It is the prelude to the long rains. In the evenings, I find myself looking to escape the stuffiness of my hotel room. Within a short walk, past the madrasa, are the Forodhani Gardens, a seafront sanctuary filled with walkways, benches and food stalls.
This rehabilitation project spearheaded by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture has restored a variety of sites that mark Zanzibar’s rich history. Only men in white aprons and chef hats manage the many stalls of the night market, known for its shellfish, meat kebabs, fruit, freshly pressed sugarcane juice and, of course, the local Zanzibar pizza.
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http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/
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Forodhani Park | Flickr
The East African - Development is a walk in the park…
By FRED OLUOCH Posted Monday, August 10 2009 at 00:00
Sandwiched between the historic Stone Town and the Indian Ocean, Forodhani Park in Zanzibar is an excellent blend of old and new.
The park was rehabilitated recently by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture at a cost of $2.4 million.
It is now a good blend of modernity and history. The success is hinged on the historical houses and cultures that are Zanzibar’s main attraction.
Ever since Arab traders arrived on the island using monsoon winds in the 8th century, the island has been a hub of commerce and culture — a melting pot of African, Arab, Indian and European influences.
Most of the houses were built in the 19th century when Zanzibar was one of the most important trading centres in the Indian Ocean region.
Now the enhanced aesthetics of Forodhani Park will boost tourism, the backbone of Zanzibar’s economy.
AKDN Video: Inauguration of Forodhani Park’s Rehabilitation
His Highness the Aga Khan in Zanzibar – Coastweek article
http://www.coastweek.com/3232-17.htm
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Stone Town Zanzibar
Part of what makes this site so captivating, is that it links the natural environment with the built environment, the Divine Creation, on the one hand with human creativity on the other. Here endless seascapes humble us in the face of the eternal and unknowable – while a splendid cityscape expresses the confident accomplishments of particular historic moments.
It is not surprising that the waterfront area of Stone Town has been designated as a World Heritage Site. And it is heartening to know that so many of you share a deep appreciation and affection for this site – for what it has meant in the past – and for what it can now mean, for the community, and for those who will share in its beauty for many years to come.
Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Inauguration of the Revitalized Forodhani Park, Stone Town, Zanzibar – 30 July 2009
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Forodhani Park shines again, after $2m facelift
Landmark: His Highness the Aga Khan, Zanzibari President Amani Abeid Karume (centre) and Sam Pickens, deputy director of AKDN (right) officially open the rehabilitated Forodhani Park. Photo/LEONARD MAGOMBA
By MIKE MANDE and FRED OLUOCH – Monday, August 3 2009 – After 18 months of painstaking work, the Forodhani Park in Zanzibar was finally opened to the public on Thursday.
Rehabilitated by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) at a cost of $2.2 million, the park was officially opened by Zanzibari President Amani Abeid Karume in a function that was also attended by His Highness the Aga Khan.
Read at the source: The East African
President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete with His Highness the Aga Khan
President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete in conversation with His Highness the Aga Khan at Dar es Salaam State House
Source: http://issamichuzi.blogspot.com/
Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Inauguration of the Revitalized Forodhani Park, Stone Town, Zanzibar
30 July 2009
Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim
His Excellency President Karume and Mrs. Karume
Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Zanzibar
Honourable Chief Justice
Honourable Minister Mansour Himid, and I thank you for your very kind words
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a distinct pleasure for me to be part of this great occasion – in this very special setting.
As we look to the extraordinary landmark buildings on one side of this historic site – and to the splendid seascape on the other side – and as we also look back upon the rich history of the ground on which we stand – we realize how privileged we are to be part of this place -and part of its revitalization.
Let me begin by thanking all of you who have contributed so much to the success of the Forodhani Park restoration – and the Seafront Rehabilitation Project of which it is a part. This work has been a great partnership – an example of what can be done when people come together, with a common purpose, and share their knowledge – from the public and the private sector, from the local, national and international level, from civil society and many many different professions.
This coming together of people from many backgrounds has been a central theme in the history of Zanzibar for over a thousand years – since the first Arab traders were blown this way by the monsoon winds in the 8th Century. Through the centuries, Zanzibar became one of the central crossroads of commerce and culture. Here people from all sides of the Indian Ocean came to encounter one another – in ways which were ordinary and extra ordinary, tragic and invigorating.
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Inauguration of Forodhani Park’s Rehabilitation
Zanzibar, 30/07/2009 – His Highness the Aga Khan and His Excellency Dr Amani Abeid Karume, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, presided over the ceremony that marked the completion of the restoration of Forodhani Park, the central meeting place in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
Aga Khan pledges support for Zanzibar | The Citizen
Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume and his Highness the Aga Khan arrive at the newly refurbished Forodhani Park in the historic Stone Town, which was officially opened on Thursday. The park has been rehabilitated at a cost of $3 million by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
By Costantine Sebastian, Zanzibar – His Highness the Aga Khan yesterday assured Zanzibar of continued support in undertaking development projects, including setting up a microfinance scheme that will provide loans amounting to more than Sh1 billion.
Speaking during the opening of the refurbished Forodhani Park, the Aga Khan said the initiative would offer about 1,000 loans to different segments of Zanzibaris.
Forodhani Park has been rehabilitated by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) at a cost of $3 million (Sh3.9 billion) from the initial estimates of $2.4 million (over Sh3 billion).
The facelift involved the restoration of walkways, landscape, infrastructure upgrading, incorporating lighting, sewerage drainage and civic amenities, and the rehabilitation of the seawall fronting the park.
He said that the trust was ready to undertake the second phase of the seafront project to give the area a new attractive look.
The Aga Khan said the success of the project was the outcome of great partnership when people, the public sector and international organisations come together to implement a common cause.
His Highness the Aga Khan visits Mombasa Academy | Coastweek
Coastweek
H.H. Aga Khan ends week long visit in Kenya to review progress of the AKDN projects
Exclusive photographs courtesy Ejaz Karmali in Mombasa and Aziz Islamshah in Nairobi
Coastweek — His Highness the Aga Khan, accompanied by his daughter Princess Zahra, ended a week-long visit to Kenya to view progress on various projects of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in the country.
http://www.coastweek.com/3231-18.htm
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AKDN: US$ 2.4 million Revitalisation of Forodhani Park in Zanzibar’s Historic Stone Town Completed
Zanzibar, 29 July 2009 – The US$ 2.4 million restoration of Forodhani Park in Zanzibar’s Historic Stone Town has been completed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).
Please also see the Brief: Stone Town Seafront Rehabilitation: Forodhani Park
The revitalisation project has transformed the heavily used park – one of the last open spaces in this densely populated World Heritage Site – and upgraded social and recreational amenities in the historic Park. Works included the restoration of the walkways, landscape improvements, infrastructure upgrading including lighting, sewage, drainage and civic amenities and the rehabilitation of the seawall fronting the Park.
The Park, once the location of the main port and a landing point for the former Sultans of Zanzibar has remained a central meeting place for civic discourse, leisure and entertainment.
