World Music Day comes early in Uganda

The cultural coordinator of the Alliance Française de Kampala, Charity Atukunda, told Music In Africa that the celebrations, which are normally held worldwide on 21 June, will take place today to allow for the former French minister of culture and creator of Fête de la Musique, Jack Lang, who is currently on an official visiting in Uganda, to meet with musicians. As minister of culture, Lang created the event in 1981. 

“Alongside his presence will be Voices Without Borders, a French organisation which works with refugee survivors to create choirs at the Bidi Bidi camp in Northern Uganda,” she said. “This day is an opportunity for people from different cultural and social backgrounds, to experience a wide variety of musical styles of diverse origins in Uganda.”

The event will feature performances by musicians Eddy Kenzo, The Ghetto Kids, Giovanni Kiyingi and High Rock Gospel Singers.

Speaking on the importance of World Music Day, which was celebrated for a week last year, Kiyingi said that the annual celebration portrays a positive image of Kampala as a place of diversity and hospitality.

“Music is an inseparable part of culture so to me, World Music Day is important because we get to discover and meet other musicians of other genres hence, showcasing different works that the public never gets to listen to everyday,” he said.

Eddie Kenzo said:  “It is such a special day and a good feeling that my passion and job is recognised worldwided. On this day, I would like to encourage Ugandan artists to keep exploring the traditional sounds whether they are doing reggae, dancehall, hip-hop or Afropop because music moves people of all cultures.”