Namibia is gearing up to celebrate the 26th anniversary of World Music Day on Saturday.
The Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day or Make Music Day, is an annual music festival taking place on 21 June, the first day of European summer in cities around the world. The concept of an all-day musical celebration on the day of the solstice was originated by American musician Joel Cohen. The idea later was adapted as a national celebration each 21 June in France, and made official by the French Ministry of Culture in 1982. Today, the festival is celebrated in 110 countries around the world.
Organised locally by the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC), this year will see celebrations in four towns, being Katima Mulilo, Otjiwarongo, Windhoek and Rundu.
Entry is free of charge
Fabienne Conradie, the cultural communication officer at the FNCC, said the main objective of World Music Day is to encourage and promote amateur and professional music artists to perform under the slogan ‘Make Music’.
“What we aim to achieve through it is to provide a platform for all musicians to showcase their talent. Windhoek will have one concert in the evening, with among others MbiraVolution, while Katima Mulilo will have an open stage for artists to come and perform; the same for Rundu. Otjiwarongo will see ‘The Gurus of Music’, together with other artists opening the stage. So, it will really be a mix of genres,” she added.
Conradie thus calls on all music lovers in the four towns to join the FNCC in celebrating World Music Day.
Together with these celebrations, the FNCC and Back2School Namibia will host a second-hand market, with all proceeds made going to purchasing educational materials for schools in the rural areas of Namibia.