The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the President has described the bi-annual Kanilai International Festival as a thundering success, saying that this year’s edition was unprecedented in the sense that the turn out was impressively overwhelming.

Mr. Ebrima JT Kujabi told journalists that President Jammeh should be, as a matter of prudence, heartily commended for coming up with such a groundbreaking initiative, adding that it is increasingly becoming evident that the Festival is a powerful tool to promote not only tourism but also sub-regional integration.

“Organising such a successful mega cultural bonanza is not a small feat,  thus the President must be given the accolade  for the initiative,” he said.

The State House press boss went on to pay tribute to all those who contributed towards the total success of the event.

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.

Sierra Leone’s cultural troupe in the 4th edition of the Kanilai International Cultural Festival has again emerged champions of the famous mystical power competition.

The Sierra Leoneans beat their arch rivals, the Malians, who came in 2nd after a fierce display of real African mystical power.

The Sierra Leonean troupe’s trophy was handed over to them by the Chief Patron of the festival, President Yahya Jammeh, in the presence of Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to The Gambia who was amongst many dignitaries at the closing ceremony of the bi-annual event.

Soon after receiving the trophy, the troupe was jubilating around the festival grounds in their traditional attires with the trophy held high up.

It could be recalled that the Director of Culture of Sierra Leone’s Kolleh Dura Suma who heads the Sierra Leonean cultural troupe to the festival in an earlier interview with this paper vowed that his troupe will retain the title in the famous mystical power competition.

The Sierra Leonean Cultural Troupe taking part in the 4th Edition of the Kanilai International Cultural Festival and champions of the famous Mystical Powers Competition in the last festival, have vowed to retain the title again this time.

Speaking to the Daily Observer in Kanilai over the weekend, Kolleh Dura Suma, the Director of Culture of Sierra Leone who heads the delegation, said: ”We are more optimistic of regaining the trophy. We are ready because the Malians lost to us last time and they will be prepared but we are more prepared. We did not put on display all the things we have at the moment. We have a lot of things that were not displayed during the last festival.”

Mr. Suma then paid respect to President Jammeh for conducting such a wonderful festival. ”I hope other African leaders will emulate President Jammeh so that the culture of Africa will be revived”, he said.
For his part, Salamu Karew, a choreographer with the Sierra Leonean troupe, said they have more to show during the festival. ”We have seen our opponents’ performances and whether they have anything they did not show, I don’t know. But we are ready to regain the title and win more trophies”, he said.

Mr. Karew also described President Jammeh as a hardworking leader who is developing The Gambia. ”We really admire him and if we can have his type in Sierra Leone it will be good for our country. I have travelled to Banjul and Serrekunda and all I could see was development and the popularity of him [President Jammeh].