In 1991, Andrew Ndukuba initiated a vibrant African cultural centre out of nothing on the periphery of Florence, in the area where the airport now stands: Sahara Desert. As early as 1986, the Afro Image association set itself the goal of exchange with African groups in Tuscany, promoting greater visibility for these communities and above all creating an intercultural place of encounter.

The remaining concrete foundations on the derelict land were serving as starting material for the spatial concept of Ndukuba, a Nigerian architecture student. The project was supposed to be the subject of his thesis: Rehabilitation of Abandoned Area in an Urban Suburb. Soon it was possible to set up tents there. The ephemeral construction of Sahara Desert in a zone that was previously marked by motorcycle racing and prostitution was also a commentary on Florence’s existing social and urban structures.

The location had the advantage of inscribing alternative realities into the unoccupied land and overcoming social hierarchisation under the banner of multiculturalism, music and art. Sahara Desert became a catalyst for a wide range of multi-ethnic initiatives. As well as concerts and disco evenings there was cooperation with community radio stations and travel agencies, programmes for children and seniors, talks on political conflicts in Africa like the Ruanda-Burundi-Zaire peace talks or SOS Somalia, and events on ecological topics such as Biocittà and Ecodance. Much attention was dedicated to schools and the youths. The Il Sentiero della Fantasia, a mobile workshop and arts exhibition by Sahara Desert on Bambini Senza Confine was always on demand by various municipalities in the region. Many internationally renowned musicians performed at Sahara Desert, including Papa Wemba, Cheb Khaled, Lucky Dube, Third World, Jimmy Cliff, Touré Kunda and Yellowman.

In 2001, Sahara Desert had to make way for the Scuola Marescialli e Brigadieri dell‘ Arma dei Carabinieri, a police college. This meant the loss of an important meeting point for the region’s African communities. In 2002 Afro Image submitted the proposition TIMBUKTU, Village Multietnico for the project Piano Strategico dell’area Fiorentina presented by the Comitato di Coordinamento Firenze2010, which was amongst the 24 priority classified projects.

The Mercato Etnico on the banks of the River Arno in the centre of the city assumed some of Sahara Desert’s functions until 2010, when, under Mayor Renzi, it was accused of illegal business and permanently cleared despite fierce protests.

Photos: Archive Andrew N. Ndukuba