Windhoek
President Hage Geingob is expected to officiate this year’s annual National Arts and Culture festival to be hosted by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture.
Under the coordination of the Directorate of National Heritage and Culture Programme, the 21st Annual National Arts and Culture Festival is scheduled to take place in Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi Region this year at the Katima Sport Stadium from December 6 to 10.
Spokesperson for the arts and culture ministry Johanna Absalom said the theme of this year’s event is ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage: Keeping Culture Alive’, and is expected to attract some 1 500 artists and exhibitors to showcase Namibia’s rich and diverse culture.
She explained that the national cultural festival creates an annual platform for the celebration of Namibia’s diverse and rich cultures and heritage.
Further, she said the event helps cultural diversity to flourish within a framework of democracy, tolerance, social justice and mutual respect among people of various cultures, which is indispensable for all citizens of Namibia.
Article 19 of the Namibian Constitution recognises the celebration of Namibia’s diverse cultures and heritage as an important right for all Namibians and as such the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture annually hosts national arts and culture festivals in various regions.
According to Absalom, the event, which has since 1995 become one of the highlights on Namibia’s annual calender, marks its 21st anniversary this year and will be hosted by both the directorates of arts as well as heritage and culture.