The Kanilai  International Cultural Festival is designed in such a way that it promotes all facets of culture such as fine arts, drama, music and dance, amongst others.

 The fiesta is noted for promoting and developing both traditional and modern music, and has since its inception in 2001 been providing a platform for both local and international musicians to showcase their various talents, thus contributing to the advancement of the music industry.Since the commencement of the ongoing festival, which wraps-up tomorrow, the event has been featuring prominent international and local artistes.

Among the prominent musicians at the festival are Jermaine Jackson and the Jackson Family, who staged an amazing musical concert during the second week of the cultural fiesta. That performance was the first of its kind in the annals of the festival. It has gone a long way in boosting not only the biennial event, but as well served as a morale booster to the aspiring musicians within and outside the country. Seeing Jermaine and the Jackson Family performing live on stage was a dream come true for many local artistes.

Other prominent musicians who also performed at the ongoing festival are Gambia's Kora king and maestro, Jaliba Kuyateh; Kankaba Saho, a Gambian musician based in France; Guinea Conakry's Saikouba Bambino Jobarteh; Kumba Gawalo Secka, Ma Hawa Kuyateh, Ouza Diallow and daughter (Aji Ouza); Group Foni; Saihiou Band; and Fafadi; all from the sister Republic of Senegal.Scores of local Gambian musicians were also given the opportunity to showcase their various talents. Among them were Jalikebba Kuyateh, Jali Nyalling Kanuteh, Jali Nyama, Jalex aka Akuntu; Sambou Susso, Freaky Joe alias Singhateh, Dr Oluganda, Balla Ranks, Njie B, and Jali Nenneh Susso, amongst others.

In addition, national and foreign dance musical troupes also staged spectacular performances over the past weeks in the ongoing festival.
Many of the local artistes who spoke to the Daily Observer in an interview hailed the initiative of the festival; something they said is contributing significantly to the growth and development of their careers. "I am very happy with the initiative of the Kanilai International Cultural Festival and I thank President Jammeh for his efforts in uniting people," Jali Nyaling Kanuteh told the Daily Observer shortly after staging a musical performance on Monday night in Kanilai.

He said the festival has been empowering them a lot given the fact that it exposed their skills and talents to the outside world.
Jalikebba Kuyateh, a another local Gambian musician also underscored the significance of the festival, pointing out that it does not only provide a platform for them, but has gone a long way in cementing relationships, thus fostering unity. "For me personally, it is through this ongoing festival that I secured good connections with other foreign musicians," he revealed. He further revealed that it is through the festival that he has been invited to a Jembeh [drum] festival in Conakry as well as a dance festival in Dakar, Senegal .
He then commended President Jammeh for the initiative of the festival.