Dakar Cultural Festival

03/01/2006
Diouf said Ethiopia was the first country to which the government of Senegal sent a messenger to invite it to participate in the third cultural festival to be held under the theme ''Renaissance of Black Africans''.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Tuesday received a message from the Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade. Senegalese Minister of Culture and Historical Patrimony Mame Birame Diouf, who delivered the message, said the message includes an invitation for Ethiopia to take part in the International Cultural Festival due to be held in the Senegalese capital Dakar next June.

Diouf said Ethiopia was the first country to which the government of Senegal sent a messenger to invite it to participate in the third cultural festival to be held under the theme ''Renaissance of Black Africans''. The involvement of Ethiopia in the festival is essential, Diouf said.
Diouf said literary works of black peoples through out the world, cultural proceedings, symposiums and other relevant proceedings would be presented at the festival. He affirmed the festival, due to be attended by scholars and black Africans across the world, presents a good opportunity to show the world the real identity of Africa.
Diouf stated the event would also serve as a venue to send a message of peace to all mankind. According to Diouf, the festival which was initiated by the government of Senegal was first held in 1966 in Dakar, while the Nigerian capital Lagos hosted the second festival after a decade.
The Senegalese minister said Ethiopia was an active participant particularly in the Dakar festival. He pointed out that though the festival was initiated by Senegal, the owners are all black peoples and Africans across the world.
Diouf highlighted Prime Minister Meles has pledged to extend the necessary support towards the accomplishment of the goals of the festival. Meles hailed the Senegalese government for taking the initiative to host the festival and announced Ethiopia's participation.
Source: ENA

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