The team of creative and talented artists from The Gambia, currently participating in the second edition of Panaf 2009 in Algiers, capital of Algeria, have staged a series of artistic and musical performances in different entertainment and cultural centres throughout the length and breadth of the country.

The selected artists from The Gambia comprise of Oumie Ngum, a woman blessed with a golden melodious voice; Lamarana Jallow, head of the traditional Fula acrobatic dance; Prumpt, head of the Chameleon Music band; Koto Ngum, another renowned Gambian artist; Jalamang Jammeh, a traditional dance group and a group of Gambia women fashion designers namely Harriet Jai Jagne, Ya Awa Drammeh-Hydara and Nguie Njie Sarr.

The Gambian team, upon arrival in Algiers from the 2nd of July 2009, staged performances on different stages at different locations spread across the Algerian capital. Such places included the prestigious Sofia Square on Hivert Street, Coupole Mini Stadium, the National Monument of Algeria, Aissat Idir Arts Centre, among others.

The Gambian team of artists, in a short and precise chat with the Daily Observer, during a visit to their base at the Arts Village, located on the outskirt of Algiers, hailed the efforts of the Algerian Government. They each described their short stay in Algiers as memorable and historic. "We encountered no single problem since our arrival, and we are treated well and respected by both the security officers and other support staff of the organisers. Our programmes were properly arranged and executed to our satisfaction.

This festival is exceptional in the history of arts and culture in Africa, considering the huge number of attendance from Africa and beyond. The logistics, feeding, accommodation, communications network, among others, are all in place," the group of artists told the Daily Observer's Arts and Culture desk.
The Gambian artists have a number of performances left in their hands to stage before departure on July 20.