Zanzibar's first literary and jazz festival ended Sunday 4 September Musicians Moussa Diallo, Al Campos & SoulHarmonic and Mim Suleiman brought Zanzibar's first literary and Jazz festival to a close on Sunday 4 September with a very spirited performance that brought festival goers to their feet shouting out for encores.
Equally the literary side of the festival was brought to a close with Zanzibaris captivating audiences with a string of inspiring sessions. Poet Haji Gorah Haji brought alive Zanazibar’s rich tradition of oral literature, while historian John Baptist da Silva inspired those present to ask more about Stone Town's exotic past and Fatma Jinja used her experience to bring out pressing life issues which affect us all.
South African writer Gillian Slovo wrote; "What an interesting, enlivening pleasure to share the stages of Zanzibar's Stone Town with jazz musicians from all over the world. A festival with a difference that, I'm sure will go from strength to strength."
Festival founder Abeid Karume commented; "Events like these highlight Zanzibar in many ways but especially in that they can inspire our young people to understand the importance of education and it can showcase our country's culture and heritage to people across the world."
Co-festival founder Ibrahim Dabo went on to say; "We intend to build on our first festival and make Zanzibar a centre for culture and learning." The varied literary programme provided audiences with a range of topics with which to ponder over, debate upon and question - national unity, truth and reconciliation, mythical African animals, Sinbad's voyages, poetry, story telling all played their part.
A creative writing competition on peace encouraged young people to participate and provided a scholarship for the winning entry.
Jazz performances from mainly Afro-centric bands exposed audiences to something more than just Zanzibar’s musical heritage and it is hoped will encourage musicians to experiment.
Photographs of the festival and further information on individual festival events can be obtained by emailing info@jahazifestival.com.
Equally the literary side of the festival was brought to a close with Zanzibaris captivating audiences with a string of inspiring sessions. Poet Haji Gorah Haji brought alive Zanazibar’s rich tradition of oral literature, while historian John Baptist da Silva inspired those present to ask more about Stone Town's exotic past and Fatma Jinja used her experience to bring out pressing life issues which affect us all.
South African writer Gillian Slovo wrote; "What an interesting, enlivening pleasure to share the stages of Zanzibar's Stone Town with jazz musicians from all over the world. A festival with a difference that, I'm sure will go from strength to strength."
Festival founder Abeid Karume commented; "Events like these highlight Zanzibar in many ways but especially in that they can inspire our young people to understand the importance of education and it can showcase our country's culture and heritage to people across the world."
Co-festival founder Ibrahim Dabo went on to say; "We intend to build on our first festival and make Zanzibar a centre for culture and learning." The varied literary programme provided audiences with a range of topics with which to ponder over, debate upon and question - national unity, truth and reconciliation, mythical African animals, Sinbad's voyages, poetry, story telling all played their part.
A creative writing competition on peace encouraged young people to participate and provided a scholarship for the winning entry.
Jazz performances from mainly Afro-centric bands exposed audiences to something more than just Zanzibar’s musical heritage and it is hoped will encourage musicians to experiment.
Photographs of the festival and further information on individual festival events can be obtained by emailing info@jahazifestival.com.
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