Preparations
are at an advanced stage for the much talk about Upper River Region (URR) Unity
Festival which is slated for November 28th at Nyakoi Sutukonding.
The
festival is being organized by Beakanyang with support from the International
Republican Institute, IRI.
Chairman
of the organizing committee, Fanding Barrow, said all is set for the event,
saying about 500 participants are targeted for the event, which will showcase
the rich culture of the people of the region.
“Nearly
15 cultural groups and Artists in the region, including Fulas, Mandinkas and
Sarahules are invited to perform at the festival,” he said.
According
to him, the aim of the Unity Festival, also known as URR Kangkiling will once
more provide a unique opportunity for the people of the region to promote
social cushion and tolerance among themselves. “It’s going to bring together
the people of the region from all the seven districts irrespective of political
and ethnic differences to promote peace, unity and social cohesion amongst the
people of Upper River Region,” he added.
Executive
director of Beakanyang, Nfamara Jawneh said he is impressed with the level of
preparations and the show of interest by the people of the region.
He
disclosed that a peace message development workshop was earlier held in the
region and those peace messages would be shared at the festival. “We want to use the festival to remind people
what we shared in common especially with regards our cultures is more than what
our differences are,” he said.
According
to him, prior to the festival, series of forums aimed at promoting political
tolerance and pluralism were held across the region.
Mariama
Trawalleh of Basse, another member of the organizing committee assured
prospective participants and spectators of a very successful festival.