Bagamoyo International Festival to extend to 7 days
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, has announced that starting next year, the Bagamoyo International Arts and Culture Festival will be held over seven days.
This change comes in response to a directive from the Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports, Damas Ndumbaro, who said the extension was aimed at enhancing the festival’s economic impact on participants and residents.
Msigwa shared these updates during the closing ceremony of this year’s festival, stressing its significance as an economic asset for the people of Bagamoyo.
He encouraged residents to take advantage of the economic opportunities the festival presents to boost their incomes and promote the town.
“I urge the people of Bagamoyo to embrace this festival as a chance to enhance their economy,” Msigwa stated. “This festival is a source of income.”
He further explained that Minister Ndumbaro has directed that from the 44th edition onward, the festival will last seven days to ensure greater economic benefits for the community.
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“The Minister has instructed that starting with the 44th festival, it should last for seven days,” Msigwa said emphatically. “And after that, I suggest that the following year, we aim for a ten-day festival.”
Msigwa added that this extension would allow Bagamoyo residents to host visitors and participants for a week and a half, giving them more time to generate income.
“We’ll be here for a week and a half, providing ample time for Bagamoyo’s residents to earn,” he said, highlighting the festival’s economic value.
He urged organisers to ensure that there are sufficient accommodations and amenities to support the influx of visitors for the next festival.
“Prepare accommodations, prepare food… For a festival of this scale, let’s ensure that people don’t have to return to Dar es Salaam to sleep,” Msigwa stressed. “The Arts Festival is an economic product of Bagamoyo. I ask everyone here in Bagamoyo to hold on to it strongly.”
Msigwa also praised the people of Bagamoyo for their enthusiastic turnout at this year’s festival, noting the growth in attendance compared to previous years.
“I’m very pleased; last year, the turnout was impressive and this year, it’s even better. Keep up this momentum,” Msigwa expressed.
He urged the residents of Bagamoyo to view the festival as more than just an entertainment event, seeing it instead as a platform that offers broad economic benefits and a means of preserving their cultural heritage.
“Enjoy the entertainment, certainly. Celebrate your culture. But remember, this festival is also about generating income,” he reiterated.
Msigwa’s remarks underscored the ministry’s vision of making the Bagamoyo International Arts and Culture Festival not just a cultural celebration, but also a key driver of economic growth for the local community.
