By: Sainabou Sambou
Organizers of the Gambi-Bissau Festival held a press conference today to outline plans for an event designed to create fresh opportunities for Gambian artists and strengthen cultural ties between The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.
The festival is scheduled for Friday, 23 October, at St. Charles Lwanga Primary School in Fajikunda. Speaking at the briefing, Allen Loppy, co-founder and manager of Vibes Major Events and Entertainment (MMEE), popularly known as DJ Vibes Major, said the initiative was conceived to connect artists and entertainers from the two neighboring countries.
What began as an idea for another entertainment event, he explained, quickly grew beyond the two organizing bodies because it linked two nations. The festival aims to promote both countries cultures and encourage tourism between them.
Organizers have reached out to individuals, organizations and government institutions in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau and received positive responses.
Loppy praised the Ambassador of Guinea-Bissau to The Gambia for helping mobilize resources and establish contacts with government institutions. Several ministers and senior officials have encouraged the project and expressed willingness to support future editions. The police, the army, and private security companies have also made arrangements to ensure attendees’ safety.
Amaro Pedro Dyli, known as Kapa-Kapa, an artist from Guinea-Bissau, said he and his colleagues were ready to give Gambians an unforgettable experience. On his second visit to The Gambia, he expressed confidence that audiences would welcome the visiting performers. He will appear alongside Flavor Nice, DJ Dimas and other artists from Guinea-Bissau. Each edition of the festival, he added, would offer a different and unique experience.
Pascal Mendy, popularly known as Pascal Abuk, speaking on behalf of Gambian artists, thanked MMEE and Biyombo Promotion for organizing the event. He noted that Gambian artists often complain about limited opportunities to perform before large audiences in neighboring countries, even though artists from those countries regularly appear in The Gambia. The festival, he said, would help address this imbalance by enabling artists from both sides to collaborate, reach new audiences and develop their careers. He urged Gambians to attend and support what he described as an important initiative for the country’s creative industry.
Sang Paul T. Mendy, a youth representative, welcomed the festival, saying it would strengthen the historical and cultural bonds between the two countries. Communities such as the Mandinka, Jola, Manjago and Balanta share traditions and historical connections across the border. He added that bringing international artists together with local performers would inspire young Gambian talents to develop their skills and seek opportunities beyond the country’s borders.
The organizers intend the festival to become an annual gathering rather than a one-off event, continuing to deepen relations between The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.
