An assortment of the creme-de-la-creme of African arts led by H.E. Raila Odinga, alongside former Nigerian President H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo made up the guests at the grand opening of the FESTAC Africa Festival.
Electrifying performances preceded a rallying call for a renewal of Africa’s art and cultural identity. The FESTAC-Africa extravaganza currently happening at Mamboleo, Kisumu City in Kenya reinforces the role of arts and culture in the lives of the African people.
The festival, amongst other things, promotes cultural diversity whilst championing the discourse on Africa’s future and development goals. More than ever, the festival also highlights the role of tourism and trade in shaping the economic renaissance of the African continent.
In his opening remarks, Odinga emphasized the importance of cultural unity for Africa’s future.
He highlighted the festival celebrations of Africa’s shared cultural heritage and called for unity that goes beyond the divisions left by colonialism.
Further, he urged the continent to embrace its collective identity to overcome fragmentation and promote integration.
“We have never deployed these as tools for oneness. We are clinging hard to borders and boundaries that were set up by colonialists and define things that should unite us by countries of origin,” Odinga said.
He added that it is a pity that after more than 60 years since most African countries attained independence, they are still divided and proud to be divided by the languages the colonial masters imposed on them.
“Africa has to change. Escalated unity is the way to go. The cultural ties that bind us are a great starting point on the path to unity,” he said.
