Mr. Ebrima JT Kujabi, Director of Press and Public  Relation (DPPR), Office of the President, has said that the Kanilai International Cultural Fesitival  symbolises the true spirit of African solidarity, unity and Pan-Africanism.

According to him, the presence of delegates and participants from Guniea Bissau, Guinea Conakery, South Africa, Mali and Sierra Leone shows that it’s indeed a forum to share cultural experience and expression among Africans.

Mr. Kujabi made this statement recently, during the official opening of the Kanilai International Cultural Festival currently undergoing at Kanilai Village, Foni Kansala District, Western Region.

According to him, the significiance of such cultural manifestations cannot be under-mentioned as the festival revives our culture. “As you know the impact of westernisation and globalisation on African norms and values are increasingly coming under threat. Global TV, radio, music CDs, DVDs, international travellers and visitors are all bombarding Africa with alien cultures and fashions of food, dress, livelihoods, among others,” he noted.

Mr. Kujabi then added that the festival provides the unique chance to intermingle with different cultural groups and personalities, noting that new friends will be made and old ones reinforced.

“Of course, the festival will also accord us all to learn culture. This is important, for cultural education is indeed a necessary acquisition for any person who wants to have a dignified and full life,” he said.

He added that cultural manifestation, such as these ones have multifarious benefits to individuals, the nation, and the entire world at large, adding that this festival is a solid vehicle for cultural revival and sustenance,” he added.

DPPR Kujabi, maintained that culture is a living thing, which is nourished by such manifestations and gatherings, adding that without spectacles, such as this festival, culture becomes rusty and obsolete.

He emphasised that culture, therefore, is nourished by practising it as it can play a lead role in nation-building as tourism depends on sound and authentic culture.

“Another important thing of this festival is the fact that it is a tool for sub-regional and African integration. Economy, politics, etc, can be used to enhance unity and solidarity between The Gambia and her neighbours, but cultural festivals like this one are even more potent tools for building a united Africa of peace, tolerance and respect,” he said.

Mr. Kujabi observed that this festival helps to forge national unity among Gambians as it gives all the people of this nation the chance to come together  and appreciate each other’s culture and tradition.

He said this is a good way of removing any forms of bigotry within the society as “we should encourage our children and young ones to attend such activities as it can help to mould them into tolerant, culture and loving citizens”.

“We must give our full and wholehearted thanks to President, Dr Alhagie Yahya AJJ Jammeh, for his strong determination to see to it that this festival has come to stay in the cultural calender of not only in The Gambia, but also Africa. This is a good measure of his desire to see that Africans come together through sharing of cultural experiences. As a true man of culture, he has once again demonstrated his wish to revive what remains of Gambian and African culture, and to canalise that which is left for the betterment of us all,” he concluded.