A 10-member Gambian delegation recently returned from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela after showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage at the Latin American nation’s 4th Annual International Cultural Festival.

The Venezuelan International Cultural Festival that commenced from 22nd to 29th July 2012, in Caracas, brought together people from diverse cultural spectrum, particularly West Africa and Latin America, with the objective of, among other things, honouring the African roots and its heritage.

The festival was attended by four West African nations; namely, The Gambia, Mali, Senegal and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Their participations were facilitated by the various Venezuelan embassies in their countries. Other Latin American countries that also made it to the event due to their strong cultural heritage included Brazil, Cuba and Eduardo.

The Gambian delegation Monday paid a courtesy call on the Venezuelan ambassador to The Gambia, Her Excellency Lourdes Pirez Martinez, at her Kotu office, where they registered their gratitude to them for making their trip successful.

Speaking to this paper on the sideline of the visit in an interview, a second secretary at the Venezuelan Embassy in Banjul, Carlos Garoia, described the Festival as one of the biggest cultural fiestas in the American continent. He underscored that the Festival has since its inception in 2005 been broadcast by over five international media outlets all over the world.

A member of the Gambian delegation and one of the artistes who performed at the Festival, Haruna Touray, widely known as Manding Mory, described it as a great experience for his career. He said the festival availed him the opportunity for the first time to showcase his talents in an international cultural show of that nature. He hailed the Gambian troupe, saying they gave out their best to the people of Venezuela and that they were very happy about their performance. “We met with different people from diverse cultures, but we gave out our best and we performed at five shows in 13 days,” he stated.

Another Gambian delegate, Fatoumata Sandeng, who spoke to this paper, described the festival as an amazing experience for them. She also hailed the Venezuelan culture, describing it as very rich and respected. “The people are very respectful to the culture and they are very open to other people from other parts of the world,” she said.

Alieu Joof, for his part, said the festival was well organised. He further described the people of Venezuela as very receptive, while noting that meeting people from diverse places and countries was really a great experience for them.

For his part, EN best known as ‘Nyamba Kawass’, also a Gambian artiste that took part in the festival, said performing at that event was a breakthrough and great exposure for them. He added that the festival has the potential to make them great artistes in future, while indicating that interacting with people from diverse cultural heritage is one of the most interesting parts of the show. “I respect the people of Venezuela for keeping their culture and I really love that,” he concluded.