By Sering Mass Jallow
The Gambia will host the maiden edition of the Gam-Bissau Festival on 23 October, in an initiative aimed at celebrating the shared cultural heritage of The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau and strengthening cultural exchange between the two countries.
The event, organised by Eki Ani Entertainment Gambia and MME Gambia, will bring together artistes from both countries to promote music, dance and cultural cooperation.
Speaking at a media briefing at Dunas Hotel in Senegambia, Allen Lucky, a music promoter and manager of MME, said the festival was intended to go beyond musical performances by creating opportunities for cultural exchange, tourism promotion and the international exposure of Gambian artistes.
“The idea as we initiated is actually bigger than we thought,” he said, adding that the festival would provide a platform to celebrate culture and create opportunities for local artistes to showcase their talents beyond the country’s borders.
Mr Lucky said the initiative would also help promote Gambian talent and strengthen cultural ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Also speaking at the briefing, youth participant Sang Paul Mendy called for active public participation and closer collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the success of the event.
The festival, scheduled to take place at St Charles Primary School, is expected to feature established artistes from The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, with performances highlighting the countries’ music, dance and cultural traditions.
Organisers hope the event will provide a platform for artistes from both countries to exchange experiences, reach wider audiences and strengthen cultural links between the two nations.