ARUSHA– Preparations are in high gear for the 5th Edition of the East African Community [EAC] Arts and Culture Festival, popularly known as Jumuiya ya Africa Mashariki Utamaduni Festival [ JAMAFEST ] scheduled for September 4-12, 2022, in Bujumbura, Burundi.
The main objective of the festival themed “Harnessing cultural resources to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 in the EAC” is to promote regional socio-cultural integration through arts and culture by providing a regional platform to showcase culture as a prime driver of EAC integration.
Addressing delegates during the 5th meeting of the Regional Steering Committee [RSC] held via hybrid format, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of the Productive and Social Sectors, Christophe Bazivamo, said that the main venue of the festival will be at Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura where the main stage for cultural performances, the exhibition and market place will be located.
Bazivamo said that the subsidiary venues of Palais de Arts and Insititut Francais will host specialised shows including film festival, comedy and drama while Kiriri Garden Hotel is expected to host the Symposium.
Bazivamo reaffirmed the readiness of Burundi to deliver a successful JAMAFEST and urged the RSC to work closely with the National Organizing Committee to ensure the event was a success.
Hon. Bazivamo underscored the significance of JAMAFEST as a platform for fostering regional socio-cultural integration in East Africa, adding that the festival was aimed at promoting unity in diversity, sharing cross-cultural experiences and dialogues, cultural exchanges in addition to celebrating the rich and diverse cultures and heritage of the people of East Africa.
“I urge Partner States to use the festival to promote economic growth and revival of the tourism industry in the regional integration,” said the DSG.
The Deputy Secretary General disclosed that a theme Song for the festival has been composed and will be played throughout the festival as part of the publicity campaign of creating awareness on the role of arts and culture in regional integration.
During the 5th RSC meeting, the Partner States agreed on sub-themes which shall also form topics for discussions during the JAMAFEST Symposium 2022 by Partner States.
Tanzania was assigned to prepare a presentation on the adoption of new regional languages in the EAC; South Sudan was tasked with making a presentation on role of modern technologies in advancing cultural expression and arts – the impact of social media on culture; while Kenya will tackle indigenous knowledge and traditional medicine.
Rwanda was assigned Arts, industry and tourism; Uganda will handle youth participation and employment while Burundi will handle research, innovation and investment in arts and culture.
https://thecooperator.news/arusha-ready-to-host-22nd-ordinary-summit-of-the-eac-heads-of-state/
Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.new
