The Gambia National Dance Troupe recently returned home after participating successfully in the 2nd Cultural Festival with  African people held in Caracas, Venezuela from 14th - 25th November, 2007.  They were guests of the Ministry of International Relations who sponsored the festival.

Among the participating countries were Angola, Benin, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Egypt, Kenya, Mali, Senegal and other African nations, highlighting the urgent desire for Venezuelans to accept, appreciate and reconnect with their African roots.

In fact, the festival was preceded by a high-powered delegation from the Venezuelan Ministry of Culture who appraised the state of arts and culture in the Gambia with the aim of assisting and supporting this vital area in our strive for comprehensive, co-ordinated and successful national development.

Despite its late arrival in Caracas, the Gambia National Dance troupe, with their colourful costumes and rhythmic dancing, became the main focus of attention throughout their stay in Venezuela.

In Caracas, the Troupe performed twice in the Teatro Municipal, where the opening and closing ceremonies took place, the Plaza, the Universidad Bolivariana and the Mjseo de Ciencias where some members also fully participated in a conference on African Culture Integration.

At the end of the festival, the Gambia National Dance Troupe was awarded the most coveted trophy in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, a sculpted bust of Simon Bolivar,  the liberator of Venezuela.