The World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures in Senegal is billed as the biggest celebration of black identity in the world. A dozen of music performances from local and international artists are just some of the highlights. Music in Senegal has a really important signification: indeed it was launched in 1960 by some Senegal musicians to celebrate the country’s independence from the French influence through Jazz and salsa.
Senegal’s cultural explosion in the post-independence years was obviously linked to the country head of the state Leopold Sedahr Sengor who strongly promoted local music. The first World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures was held in 1966 on his initiative in Dakar gathering musicians from all around the continent.
Beginning on the 11th December has a specific theme this year about the « African Renaissance, cultural diversity and African unity ». This festival in 2010 is trying to promote a new image of Senegal as a liberated, proudly, creative and optimistic country. This year Brazil, America, Senegalese and African stars are invited in order to show a melting pot culture and a multicultural dialog. This festival is going to be free and a lot of educational activities are organized to make the Young’ sensitive.
If you want to take part to this festival, you can stay in an holiday village.
