The recently held 2006 Bank Windhoek Arts Festival ensured a year of festivity. Since the official launch of the 2006 Bank Windhoek Arts Festival in March 2006 the arts in Namibia are truly being promoted, it was stated in a press release. According to the release, the new format of the pre-festival, changed to the festival, ensured a build-up to a thriving main festival in September 2006. The festival programme for the month of November 2006 was announced at a press conference held at Bank Windhoek today. It further stated that on 18 October 2006 Bank Windhoek hosted an open forum in the Windhoek branch in Independence Avenue. Artists as well as arts enthusiasts were invited to give feedback and comment on the festival. Artists and arts connoisseurs provided constructive feedback and suggestions for next year’s Arts Festival. Topics discussed at the meeting included: – Time and length of the Festival – The application and registration process – Shows and venues – Marketing and public relations – Ticketing – Arts education and appreciation – Genres – Monthly Arts Festival events All comments made were recorded and brought to the attention of the Arts Festival Board of Trustees. “Bank Windhoek is continuously striving to improve the way in which we engage with the public. Therefore, it is important for us to provide the Namibian public with a platform where they can comment and give suggestions on how we can improve the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival in 2007,” emphasized Marlize Horn of Bank Windhoek. Bank Windhoek’s commitment towards the arts is furthermore strengthened by continuing with different Arts Festival events each month. During the month of November, art enthusiasts can look forward to a variety of different performances and exhibitions. The programme for the rest of this month: – Flow – Paintings by Gerdis Standherr at the National Art Gallery of Namibia from 2 – 15 November 2006. – African Praise – Various gospel artists with master music records at the UN Plaza on 5 November 2006. – Christmas Memories – A performance presented by the College of the Arts at St Mary’s Cathedral on 10 November 2006.