By: Bakary Ceesay
Gibril Faal, a prominent Gambian DJ, promoter, and student of International Relations and Diplomacy in Russia, has been appointed ambassador of Kardo, an international street art, culture, and sports award that promotes culture and sport by organizing yearly festivals in Stavropol, Russia.
The seasoned cultural ambassador is well known for promoting Gambian art and culture throughout the world by giving opportunities to deserving, young, talented Gambia artists to showcase their talents to countries beyond the Gambian border.
This momentous initiative offers our nation an extraordinary opportunity to join the global stage at the International Festival of Street Art, Culture, and Sports, which opens its eighth season in February 2025. Gibril highlights the importance of Gambia’s participation in this global festival, which transcends the boundaries of art and sport. It represents a monumental step in showcasing our talent, creativity, and cultural dynamism.
He explained, “Our country is rich in artistic expression, deeply rooted in our traditions yet brimming with youthful energy and innovation. The Kardo 8 National Stage Competition is a platform to harness and spotlight these unique attributes, enabling our artists and athletes to share the richness of Gambian culture internationally.”
According to him, the festival in Stavropol serves as a beacon of unity, bringing together nations to celebrate the universal language of street art and sports. For Gambians, this is more than a cultural exchange; it is an avenue to inspire our youth to show them that their skills, creativity, and voices matter globally. It opens doors for collaboration, learning, and personal growth and positions The Gambia as a contributor to global cultural discourse.
Through this initiative, we are fostering the talents of our artists and athletes and building bridges between nations. The partnership with the Kardo Foundation exemplifies the power of international cooperation and underscores our shared vision of empowering youth through culture and sports. It is a testament to how collaboration can drive social impact and create transformative opportunities for communities.
“I want to emphasize the critical role of this partnership in empowering our youth. We are offering them a stage to express themselves, a chance to learn from others, and an opportunity to elevate Gambian culture onto the global map. We are equipping them to be ambassadors of our heritage, showcasing our vibrant traditions and contemporary creativity.’
“As we prepare for the Kardo 8 National Stage Competition, Gambian creatives can take part in the online and offline selection in the direction of Graffiti, DJing, Dance, Rap, BMX, Skateboarding, workout, etc. Winners of each stage direction will represent the Gambia in the Finals in Stavropol, Russia, on August 21-24, 2025. I call on all Gambians to support this initiative. Let us unite to make this a resounding success and demonstrate to the world the brilliance and resilience of Gambian culture. Together, we can make history and inspire generations to come.” – Gibril Faal
