The republic of The Gambia and the Bolivanan republic of Venezuela have on Monday 17th October exchanged ideas and feelings of the various cultural or indigenous music and musical instruments.

The programme organised by the Department of State for Tourism and Culture and the Venezuelan Embassy in The Gambia was held at the Jerma Beach Hotel in Banjul.  In what was described as a musical workshop, the musical group from Venezuela exposed to the audience the various musical instruments they play, their origin and the cultural meaning and significance attached to them.  

They also showed the different types of music and dance they have in Venezuela. Backed by a life performing band from both sides, The Gambian musicians also displayed explicitly the country's indigenous musical instruments ongoing from the kora balafon to other instruments with reference to their historical origin, social meaning and cultural  significance.

This musical concert between The Gambia and the Bolivanan republic of Venezuela entitled "strings of the south" is aimed at strengthening the already existing bilateral ties between the two countries and also boosting the morals of The Gambia's cultural heritage, particularly in the tourism sector. The programme manifests a practical implementation of the south-south cooperation that the president of the two nations are advocating for.

In attendance were senior government officials, high ranking dignitaries, renown Gambian musicians and the general public.