After intensive research into the selected festivals, I found that it was surprisingly difficult to find detailed information about the individual events. Some of these festivals and events are somewhat more international and commercial due to their size, which makes it easier to find information.
A good example of this is the AFCON, which radiates far beyond the African region due to its long tradition and the popularity of football. The importance of this tournament is also reflected in the extensive availability of information on the logo language and design of the event.
Interestingly, the logos have hardly changed over the decades. They were also rarely adapted to the respective venues. Instead, there was a general logo in which only the name of the host nation was changed, while the design remained unchanged. There was one notable exception in 2010, when the logo was revised and retained in this form until 2023. It was only for the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire that a fresh look was developed, combining the trophy with the national colors. Whether this new logo, like its predecessors, will remain in place in the long term had not yet been officially confirmed in December 2024.
On the other side is the FESTAC, which was only recently revived after a break of almost 50 years. With a completely new logo, which has not yet undergone any variations, it marks a new beginning in its visual identity.
Other events such as the DIFF or the Cape Town Jazz Festival also have logos, but these remain unchanged for each edition. Only the design of the media in which the logo is used – for example on posters or websites – varies.
The other major events listed, such as the Marathon des Sables or AFRIMA, do not change their logo design. The Lake of Stars Festival even uses a simple lettering as its logo, which only appears in a different font depending on the motto.
