From traditional dance groups to visual artists and musicians, Namibia was indeed in good hands at the Biennale le Luanda.
The first edition of the Luanda Biennale that brought entertainers and partners from across the globe including Namibians Big Ben and Adora has recently concluded.
The week-long Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace is a movement that works to prevent violence and conflict and to consolidate peace. Namibia was represented by a delegation that consisted of a traditional group consisting of performers from various tribal groups in Namibia, the two musicians, visual artist Ndasuunye Shikongeni and government officials.
Speaking to unwrap.online, Big Ben says Namibia at large benefits greatly from the Biennale as the entertainment delegation created awareness through arts.
“For one, all our performance have been literally and vocally encouraging the Biennale visitors to visit Namibia as tourists. Namibian musicians have had a chance to watch other performers present their art and have learned something. The traditional group has learned from the Angolan cultural performers, the State Theatre from South Africa which also delivered a performance for peace and against xenophobia and our own did us proud by being the only country mixing various tribal dances into one presentation,” he said.
In terms of peace, the Moro Moro award-winning singer says ways must be found for people to live in harmony. The artists part of the delegation also had the duty to represent Namibian artists who were not present.
“Peace is not supposed to be a commodity to be given or taken away and I believe we must find ways to allow humans to make peace and live in peace via methods that don’t always depend on politics and economics. Music, dance and laughter is one free tool. Getting various groups to know and understand each other’s ways of doing things also fosters a sense of acceptance and hence peace and coexistence. Many of us know this and are happy that efforts are made to promote such platforms,” he says.
