Anthony Mulowa
8 July 2009
Algiers — COMMMUNITY Development and Social Services Deputy Minister John Chinyanta has said the on-going Pan-African cultural festival is a platform for African countries to re-strategise and focus on economic emancipation.
Mr Chinyanta said in an interview here yesterday that 40 years ago, when the first Pan-African cultural festival was held, the focus was on the Pan-African spirit as most countries on the continent were under colonial rule.
"This festival will enable us to look at our rebirth as Africans. It is symbolic and historic and a beacon for all of us as Africans as we look at the past, present and future," he said.
Mr Chinyanta, who is leading the delegation of 60 Zambian artistes and Government officials from his ministry participating in the festival, said time had now come for Africa to face the challenges that had arisen over the last 40 years.
The second Pan-African Cultural Festival of Algiers (PANAF-2009) is a huge event which has attracted more than 8,000 artistes and writers from 51 African countries, the United States of America and Brazil.
Mr Chinyanta said issues of HIV/AIDS, famine and Africa being a dumping ground for poor quality products were among many other things which all the African states needed to address collectively.
He said the festival was also an opportunity for Africa to show the outside world the positive aspects and image through its rich culture and traditional heritage.
Mr Chinyanta also said Zambia and Algeria had continued to enjoy good bilateral relations.
Hesaid in 2007, the two countries singed a cultural agreement to enhance culture among their people.
He said without culture, the identity of being Africans would be lost, adding that it was important that Africans maintained their languages, dress code and traditional foods.
Meanwhile, Mr Chinyanta has said Zambia needs to invest more in infrastructure development in the film industry.
He said to promote the film industry, the Government had in this year's national Budget set aside K1 billion for the rehabilitation and development of theatre halls in Zambia.
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