The Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) on Friday hosted the 24th anniversary of World Music Day (WMD) aimed to celebrate music with all music lovers around the world and an excellent platform for upcoming artists.

WMD is typically observed on 21 June annually but had to be rescheduled due to Covid-19 restrictions and regulations.

The music festival, also known as the Fête de la Musique, is said to have begun in the 1970s when American musician Joel Cohen spent two seasons as a producer of musical radio programs for the French National Radio (France Musique).

On the days of the solstice, he devised the idea of an all-day musical celebration.

In an interview with Nampa, FNCC Cultural Officer, Fabienne Conradie stated that as a tradition over the years, this world-recognised day aims to solstice communities from around the world to celebrate music.

‘Over the years, the FNCC has provided a platform for upcoming and established artists to showcase their talent at various locations across the country, mostly using its own funds. We can only guess how much of an impact this has had on the development of local musical talent,” she stated.

Conradie said the FNCC has seen a significant increase in the quality of performances over the years and has helped a number of artists ‘take the plunge’ and put themselves out there.

‘Some of Namibia’s most successful artists made their public debut at WMD and have grown from strength to strength since then,’ she said.

Blues artists Riaan Smit and Lin-Marie, as well as rumba band Viva Kalahari Live Band – Shungu Chief Rumba, performed this year.

Riaan Smit is an award-winning singer/songwriter from Namibia and South Africa. His gypsy blues style has kept audiences dancing all over the world.

Lin-Mari is a multi-genre Namibian singer-songwriter and pianist.

Shungu Leonardo began singing at the age of eight in Kinshasa’s Catholic school choir, and his professional career began at the age of 17.

Until 1997, he continued to perform in various bands in the DRC.

He now has his own band with a total of ten members.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency