Rhythm, music, arts and drums will be showcased in the streets when carnival comes to town with the inaugral Livingstone International Cultural Arts Festival and Street Carnival (21-22 June). The event brings together Zambian culture with that of other nations, including Kenya, Egypt, Seychelles, Zimbabwe and the UK, and it is hoped the festival will become an annual event on the international calendar. Kenyan Airways will mark the launch of direct flights from Kenya to Livingstone with sponsorship of the Festival and will be flying in a group of traditional Masai dancers to join other cultural acts from around the world.
Festivities kick-off at the Victoria Falls with a photoshoot of the Zambian Maramba Cultural Team, Kenya’s Masai and other dancers and drummers on the Victoria Falls Bridge, the banks of the Zambezi River above the Victoria Falls, and also it is hoped Livingstone Island, on the very lip of the Victoria Falls and the location where David Livingstone first saw this most magnificent of natural wonders.
“There will be a wonderful cacophony of music, drums and dancing, as the street carnival winds its way slowly up through the centre of Livingstone on Friday afternoon, with participating countries processing along Livingstone’s main street,” said LACSEDO chairman, Belinda Hodge. “Over these two days, we will be celebrating the vibrant and colourful diversity of culture not only from here in Africa but also from elsewhere in the world.”
Live bands will perform at the Golf Club in the evening, and elsewhere in Livingstone foreign dignitaries will be invited to attend a gala dinner.
On Saturday the Festival continues with live performances, pavilions showcasing participating nations through culture, art and tourism, Zambian masked dancers, African drumming, cultural dancing, arts, crafts, food and music.
With Safari Par Excellence sponsorship, The Melodians – a renowned UK-Caribbean steel band – will be taking part, adding a lively calypso rhythm to the Festival, yet one that has its roots in Africa too. They will also perform at The Zambezi Waterfront.
“We want this to be a community festival, so we are encouraging the people to come along, bring a drum or buy a drum at the festival, and join in on Saturday afternoon, when school children and students will form concentric rainbow circles around the central stage prior to the prize giving and finale,” said Felix Chaila, MD of the Zambia Tourism Board.
The Festival is a collaboration between LACSEDO, the David Livingstone Bicentenary & Livingstone 2013 Initiative and the Zambia Tourism Board.
Zambezi Traveller Events:
Livingstone Bicentenary 2013
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