‘Kanilai Festival Promotes Continental Integration’

The bi-annual Kanilai International Cultural Festival could serve as a powerful lubricant in promoting sub-regional as well as continental integration through culture, agrees Mr. Yusupha Bojang.

According to Mr. Bojang, if the spirit of unity, oneness and sense of belonging that pervaded the air throughout the latest edition of the festival is anything to go by, then there is a light at the end of the tunnel in our quest for African unity.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with this paper, Mr. Bojang pointed out that the level of public interest in the cultural extravaganza was so impressive that its success cannot be captured in cold print.
“The success of this year’s festival is unprecedented not only in terms of turn-out but also the global dimension it had assumed. This is the first time that the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela took part in the colourful event. This did not only add an extra touch to the festival but it had also encouraged and promoted eye-opening cultural exchanges,” he added.

Mr. Bojang thanked President Jammeh a ‘million-fold’ for conceiving and organizing the festival, as in his own words, culture is a bed-rock for any meaningful and sustainable development.

To Mr. Bojang, best cultural practices are a recipe for peaceful co-existence, economic and social growth.
“We can use culture to promote peace among ourselves, spur development and progress. Peace is a priceless commodity and you never know its value until you lose it. All the vices afflicting us today are the direct results of our sheer disregard for our cultural norms and values. This is why the Gambian leader deserves a huge pat on the back for organizing the event that offers eye-opening cultural experiences of a life-time,” he posited.

He did not also forget to recognize the ‘sterling’ contributions of Messrs. M.L. Gibba of GPA, Modou Sanyang of GRTS and Demba Sanyang of NCAC in ensuring the success of the festival.