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About the IJFTC
Festival History: Share the origins of the event, the purpose behind its creation, and how it has evolved over the years.
The event is built on traditions 1700s passed on from Slavery to the New Worlds of the Caribbean and Southern America. The masquerades, drumming, and dancing were all cultural forms that were taken from mainland Africa to the Southern United States, Bahamas, Jamaica, Belize, etc.
Myths have it that, the slaves went to beg for a special day of celebration and they were given Boxing Day, the 26th of December for this celebration.
The African slaves then used the event to mimic their slave masters by assigning characters and dress forms. Aside from this, it was the only day in the year when the slaves would not be forced to work.
Cultural Significance
The Event has been chosen to take place in Canada because it’s the most multicultural country in the world and over the years there has been a spring up of Black Empowerment Organizations both social and economic ones.
Canada’s second capital Montreal is a commercial center, multicultural, and a perfect blend of a bigger city built on harmony, peace, and a sustainable environment. Montréal-Trudeau and Montréal-Mirabel airports serve as the two major hubs that contribute significantly to international arrivals in Montreal.
The strategic location of Canada also makes it accessible to Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and South America.


Mission and Vision
The mission of this event is to consolidate the gains made by the other Afro, Caribbean, and Afro Caribbean Festivals and add a significant historic perspective.
The Event will be aimed at giving intellectual platform to the academia and researchers to display and present their years of research in Areas like Heritage Tourism, Culture, Afro descendants, multiculralism and also Tourism development between Africa and the Caribbean.
The event will also offer people in the tourism sector, tourism operators, industry players and tourism administrative formulators to align with the Tourism Development Agenda of Canada specially building ties for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.


IJFTC Volunteers

IJFTC Vendors
Become a part of the vibrant Vendor Marketplace at the IFTC 2025. Showcase your unique products and services to an estimated 50,000 attendees and connect with a diverse audience of culture enthusiasts. Register by, Friday, May 9th, 2025.



IJFTC Partners
Affiliates & Partners
WJFTC Affiliates
Visiting the IJFTC
Attending Visitors
Musical Presence
Performing Artists
Cultural Exchange
Speakers Platform
Some IJFTC Partnering Companies
