The organizers of Kanilai International Festival have announced a little shift in the date of the popular cultural festival, from the original date of May 24th to May 30th, 2009.

This change of date, according to a statement from the organizers, is as a result of ongoing works at the festival grounds. The statement said registration will take place from May 27 to 29, and the official opening taking place on Saturday 30th of May, 2009. Under the distinguished chief patronage of His Excellency Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, a staunch supporter of culture himself, this now globally renowned festival has been designed to revive, promote and develop our rich cultural heritage and to showcase the diverse performances of the different ethnic groups of the sub region. It is characterized by mystical displays, masquerades, music, dance and drama.

This year’s festival is expected to attract participants from Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania and other interested groups in the sub-region. The general public as well as cultural actors and programmers are invited to witness and participate in this show of exceptional African talent which is increasingly gaining popularity in the sub region and the African continent in general. All are hereby urged to come out in numbers "to show our African leaders the diversity of our rich cultural heritage", the release concluded.