1st edition of Limbe FESTAC ends in style

By Eddy Bokuba in Limbe

The maiden edition of the Limbe Festival of Arts and Culture dubbed Limbe FESTAC 2014, has ended with organizers satisfied with the overall output of participants and promising to improve on the general organization in subsequent editions. Organized at the behest of the Limbe City Council and some stakeholder companies in the town’s development notably the CDC and SONARA, this pioneer edition was placed under the distinguished patronage of the Governor of South West Region, Okalia Bilai Bernard.
      Guided by the theme ''Cultural Diversity and Integration'', the FESTAC opened on Saturday 5 April and ended on 12 April 2014 at the Limbe Centenary Field. It brought together Cameroonians from the 10 Regions of the country and representatives from some friendly neighboring nations notably Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana.
    It was a recommendation of the Minister of Arts and Culture, Ama Tutu Muna who suggested during the celebrations marking the 100th
        In his welcome note at the opening of the FESTAC, the Government Delegate to the Limbe City Council, Motanga Andrew who was also the head of the Organizing Committee for the event, thanked participants and guests for accepting to come and be part of a history making event. He called on them to put all hands on deck so as to ensure that the event is crowned by success and becomes an annual event to promote the rich arts and culture of Cameroon.

        Declaring the event officially open, South West Governor Okalia Bilai Bernard accompanied by his wife, Nicole Okalia said Limbe’s rich tourist potentials afford all what it takes for people to come and relief their stress and get a comfortable rest.
        He noted that Tourist sites such as the Nachtigal Falls, Botanic Gardens, the vast Atlantic Ocean and giant companies like of SONARA, the C.D.C., the Ship Yard and more combine to make Limbe a choice destination for both nationals and foreigners alike.
    Day-one of the 8-day event started with a visit paid to the Cultural village by the Governor and his entourage to have an appraisal of the various products exhibited.
     The cultural events opened with cultural displays by the indigenous Bakweris tribe from Bimbia,Wovia and Botaland. Participants from the Grand North, Littoral, West, NorthWest, South West and neighboring nations like Nigeria,Togo and Ghana took the queue. Daily musical concerts also spiced the events.
    Other activities included visits to tourist sites such as the Bimbia Slave Trade village and other attractions. There was also the Njalla Quan International Marathon that was run from Idenau to Limbe, a canoe race, tug-of-war and Traditional Wrestling.
    This 1st edition of the Limbe FESTAC ended on Sunday 6 April 2014 with an ecumenical service at the committee field animated by clergymen from the different churches in Cameroon.

anniversary of Limbe’s discovery, which saw an impressive display of works of Arts and Culture.