The Namibia Economist

Music World Day all over

Music fans must brace the cold this Saturday, 16 June, when the Fete de la Musique is celebrated in five towns across Namibia. Originating in England but with French roots, this music festival takes place on five continent in many dozens of countries. Now celebrated as the World Music Day, it employs music as the medium to bring people together across cultural and generational boundaries.
‘Fete de la Musique’ first took place in England, and is actually a Lebanese music festival. It was introduced to France by French dance and music director, Maurice Fleuret, on request of the then  Minister of Culture, Jack Lang in 1981.
This year’s World Music Day will takes place in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Oshakati, Katima Mulilo and Keetmanshoop. Windhoek’s line up for a full-day open air concert includes some of the country’s hottest musicians and bands such as Elemotho, Lize Ehlers, Savannah Unplugged, Famaz Attack, Axue and the Birds, the Ugly Creatures, Omidi d’ Afrique and Formula Band.
Audiences can also look forward to participating in some drumming sessions with the Ongoma group. Keeping in line with Windhoek’s new format for World Music Day the coastal town of Swakopmund will showcase live music only (as opposed to acts with backing tracks). In Keetmanshoop the concert will be opened by Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, Hon. Kazenambo Kazenambo.
This is the first time that the southern town also hosts the event. Local organizers have made a lot of effort to compile an exciting line up. The same goes for Oshakati and Katima Mulilo.
Concerts will kick off at 09:00 and 10:00m in Oshakati and Katima Mulilo respectively. In Swakopmund it starts at 11:00 at the municipality amphitheatre and is headlined by popular Tribe Union band. The Windhoek concert starts at 10:00 at the Palm Tree Park in Bahnhof Street.
The event is facilitated by the Franco- Namibia Cultural Centre in collaboration with the National Arts Council, dB Audio, the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) and Base FM.
For a day of live music, a traditional braai and fun for the whole family be sure to attend the festival in your respective towns. Entrance to the shows is free.

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