Momodou Joof, director general of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), has described the recently concluded sub-regional youth musical festival held at the July 22nd Square in Banjul as historic and a resounding success.

The festival, the first of its kind in West Africa, aimed at fostering unity, peace and integration in the sub-region. It was also meant to engender inter-cultural dialogue and promote cultural diversity, which are tenets on which the ideals and principles of UNESCO are hinged. The festival is also a manifestation of the NCAC's drive and mandate to recognise excellence while promoting efforts among hardworking and determined musicians whose enviable skills and talents must be exposed in order to give them the encouragement and the credit they deserve.

Speaking at a press briefing convened last Tuesday, at the National Museum in Banjul, the NCAC boss pointed out that even the Gambian leader, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, was impressed and has encouraged them during their meeting with him. According to the NCAC boss, the president also called on UNESCO to consider making it a regular affair and include other countries within the sub-region.

This programme, Joof noted, falls within the tenets of UNESCO programmes which seek to engender cultural diversity and regional integration. He added that the project was proposed to UNESCO within its participatory programme. The NCAC boss went on to say that their move to invite the four countries that took part in the event - Senegal, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone, was to reflect the diversity of the sub-region. He disclosed that local musicians in the country were selected on broad base.

Joof also informed the gathering of their work towards creating opportunities for Gambian musicians to perform abroad, saying: "Gambian musicians have a lot of opportunities to perform in Europe and other countries in the near future". He commended the participating musicians from the sub-region, who were present at the press briefing, for their dedication and cooperation during their stay in the country.

The visiting musicians, namely Omar Konate, from Mali; Lady Fellicia from Sierra Leone; Anastasio Alain Kandety from Guinea Bissau; and Senegalese rap star, Pacotille; all expressed gratitude to NCAC for making the event a resounding success.

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