Third World Festival of Black Arts (FESMAN)

Salvador, Bahia (Brazil) – Brazil, guest of honor of the Third World Festival of Black Arts (FESMAN), is preparing its part, alongside other countries, in the festival’s December 1-14 events in Dakar. FESMAN 2009 was launched last month by Presidents Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal and Luis Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil in Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia, both of which have majority black populations.

Musicians and groups such as Ferro e Gaita and Cesária Évora are expected from Cabo Verde; international stars such as Stevie Wonder, Danny Glover, and Sidney Poitier from the US; percussionist Manu Dibango from the Camaroons; Salif Keita from Mali; and singer Angelique Kidjo from Benin. President Nelson Mandela has confirmed his presence.

The official Brazilian delegation will be made up of personalities and leaders such as former senator Abdias do Nascimento, singers Lecy Brandão and Zezé Mota (also actress), actor Milton Gonçalves, the Carnival block Ilê Aiyê, and other illustrious names representing diverse facets of Afro-Brazilian, as religion and cuisine. Brazil’s former Minister of Culture and internationally-known musician Gilberto Gil is its vice-president. The Brazilian government, through its Palmares Foundation, will publish competitive public tenders so that other groups and artists can register for and participate in the event.

Eighty countries should mark their presence. Brazil will send the largest delegation, whose initial 300 members could swell to 2,000 if the idea of the cruise ship, planned by black movement leaders in the Bahian Pro-FESMAN Committee, takes hold.

Minister of Culture Birame Diouf of Senegal has said that FESMAN has a cultural dimension “for black geniuses to express themselves in all ways” and that it will have a role in building self-awareness among the people. Information on how to take part can be found on FESMAN’s site, http://www.fesman2009.com, as well as with the Ministries of Culture of participating countries.

By: Ana Alakija (ALAI) 06/20/2009