Kiddafest 2013 launched
The National Theatre on Friday launched the 2013 Accra International Children’s Arts Festival (Kiddafest) at the Richard Akwei Memorial School in Accra.
The children’s arts festival, slated for December 12-14, 2013, is on the theme: “My Culture Rocks”.
Ms Amy Appiah Frempong, Deputy Director, Artistic, National Theatre, said this year’s festival would showcase the true Ghanaian culture which is very important, unique and still relevant.
She said arts and culture gave a unique means of expression, capturing passions and emotions and should be an essential part of basic education for all.
Our young ones need to know that arts did not only enhance the understanding of the world but also broadened one’s perspectives traditionally and academically and should be taken seriously, she said.
Ms Dzifa Abla Gomashie, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, commended the National Theatre for sustaining the arts festival which demonstrated the rich Ghanaian and African cultural heritage through dance, drama, music and poetry.
She said children are not only part of the future but also the present and it was important that their talents were discovered early for them to be groomed to achieve their full potentials.
Ms Gomashie advised parents and teachers to ensure the proper guidance of children in terms their native language and culture and commended the Ghana Education Service for introducing the Ghanaian languages back into curricula.
She called on the organisers of Kiddafest to extend the programme to other regions and districts to enable the children in those areas to also benefit.
Nana Ama Fuakyewaa Ahwoi, former participant of Kiddafest, now with Airtel Ghana, urged parents to keep supporting their children by nurturing their God given talents and encouraging them to channel their energies into productive activities such as Kiddafest.
She admonished the children participating in this year’s festival to use it as their building block to the future whilst having fun, adding that they should not forget their roots because the Ghanaian culture rocks.
Kiddafest, a flagship programme by the National Theatre, which has existed for 20 years, gives children the platform to exhibit their creative talents in the various art forms such as dance, drama, music, poetry, comedy, storytelling, brain challenge and fashion show.
Activities lined up for this year’s festival include inter-schools children street carnival, dance, drama, gospel rock show, best of fun world, regional showcases, poetry, hip life theatre and beauty and talent.
There would also be a homecoming dubbed: “Terry Bonchaka Night” in memory of the late musician and stars like Tic Tac, Ex-Doe, Sidney, Sherifa Gunu, Omanhene and Pozo who passed through Kiddafest and fun world would also grace the occasion.
Source: GNA