While celebrating the city’s rich cultural diversity and artistic talent, the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival also brings together young and old to partake in a plethora of entertainment activities, witness cultural performances, and down various local and international cuisines.
The two-day festival, happening at the City’s Upper Parking, opens today at 09h00 with arts and crafts, Owela, snooker and chess games, as well as a parade from the TransNamib train station to the City of Windhoek parking area.
There will be traditional showcases by the Ovaherero Cultural Youth Group, !Aib #Nisasib Cultural Dance Group, Shafiishuna Cultural Group and San traditional group, as well as a Bollywood dance.
Music will be delivered by Vincent die Laaste Hond, Prime Rose, Sagarias Tsam, Lize Ehlers, Erich Mahua, Jericho, TKB, Ras Sheehama and Berthold Mbinda.
Day two will see fitness and yoga sessions, cooking competitions, craft classes, a fashion show and music by David McCourney, Sweety Namibia, MO, X, Ou Slow, DJ Siya, James Omlongo, Sally Boss Madam, Female Donkey, with Tate Buti closing the festival.
City of Windhoek spokesperson Lydia Amutenya told VIBEZ! yesterday that all is set and ready.
“All is set for the /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival this weekend; a weekend of fun, music, art and traditional cuisine. We would like to call on the public to join us for the festival, and bring your friends and family along because you wouldn’t want to miss out on this one,” she said.
Also urging all and sundry to come out in numbers to the festivities to learn about other people’s cultures was one of the hosts of the festival, Chareen Kauazunda, popularly known as Shai-Quan.
She told VIBEZ! that it was always her dream to host the festival, as she has been attending it for as long as it has existed.
“I schooled in Katutura but stay uptown, an indication that I got both facets of the city, and I know it inside out. I have attended so many /Ae //Gams festivals, and I am over the moon that I get to finally host it. I am ecstatic about it,” said the Fresh FM 102.9 radio personality.
“I can’t wait to have oshikundu, oshifima, omaere, Zambezi bream, oshingali, donkey meat, you name it. That’s what diversity, is and that is the mission of the City. I am happy to be part of a team that is amplifying the oneness of people through music, art and culture,” said the voice jockey, who will co-host today’s show with Paul-Wright Zamani.
Head of chancery at the Indian High Commission, Vivender Kumar Jatav told VIBEZ! the Bollywood team is ready to put on a stellar performance today and tomorrow.
“We are excited and always happy to be invited by the City of Windhoek to be part of the festival. We have two young performers who are going to showcase their talent, and we will have a yoga session by our dear colleague Amrita,” said Jatav.
He brimmed with excitement, considering that a country like India equally celebrates diversity through song, yoga and festivals. Jatav indicated that the City is doing great with the festival by embracing culture and diversity.
-psiririka@nepc.com.na