26 Sep 2023

 The Kingdom Arts Marimba group stole the show with their mesmerising performance during Fête de la Musique at Alliance Française Gaborone recently.

The Gaborone based Kingdom Arts Academy group, comprising boys and girls aged between eight and twelve, warmed the hearts of the audience who seemed eager to see what they can deliver. 

Like the saying ‘dynamites come in small packages’,  the group’s skillfulness enthralled the audience.  

Kingdom Arts Marimba group played about six tracks.

 The group’s  performance of Nigerian Afro beat song Rush by Ayra Starr took the revellers to the peak, making them sing along. 

Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, attracted  music enthusiasts of all ages.

Originating in France, the international music festival has transcended borders to become a global phenomenon, and this year’s event was nothing short of spectacular!

The first edition of Fête de la Musique was held in France in 1982 with the aim to encourage amateur and professional musicians alike to take their music to the streets, parks, and public spaces, transforming them into open-air stages.

In an interview, Alliance Française Gaborone Director, Angelique Saverino said the festival’s founder, French Minister of Culture Jack Lang, envisioned a day when music would be accessible to everyone, regardless of their musical skill or background.

“What began as a French initiative quickly spread across the globe and today, Fête de la Musique is celebrated in more than 120 countries, making it one of the world’s largest cultural events,” she said.

She said the festival’s aim was about uniting people from diverse backgrounds and promoting a sense of community and creativity through the universal language of music.

“Musicians, both seasoned and novice, young and old, come together on June 21 to share their passion for music with enthusiastic audiences for free. However, we found it suitable to celebrate during September, as the weather would favourable,” she said.

One of the festival’s unique features is the diversity of music ranging from Jazz ensembles, marimba, hip-hop and DJs also spun their magic.

The auditory musical fiesta mirrored the rich tapestry of cultures that call Gaborone home.

Itumeleng Mbatshi, who was a first-time attendee of the show said Fête de la Musique was a welcome return to normalcy after a challenging period of social distancing due to COVID-19.

“The sight of people dancing and enjoying the music in each other’s company was testament to the healing power of music and I will definitely attend next year’s festival,” she said.

The event also proved advantageous for local businesses, as pop-up stalls of business such Berry Heart creations and other vendors offered an assortment of goods, from snacks to handcrafted crafts.

This contributed to the festive ambiance and created a mutually beneficial situation.

The Fête de la Musique proved once again that music has the ability to inspire, uplift, and bring communities together. ENDS