The annual Kisuma arts and cultural festival in Kisumu County has kicked off in earnest with auditions for various categories going on in the Sub-Counties.

Contestants are participating in performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts, chants, storytelling and traditional African practices performed by the Luo community in Kisumu.

Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathews Owili said the event aims to celebrate the cultural expressions of the communities that are proud to call Kisumu home.

Top three winners in each category from all the sub counties, he said will book a spot to perform at the annual Festac Africa Festival to be hosted in Kisumu from 20th- 26th May 2024.

Festac is a global black African festival which is celebrated annually in different African cities.

‘This year’s Kisuma Arts and Cultural festival is directly linked with FESTAC Africa festival which will feature performances from all over Africa,’ he said.

Dr. Owili said all the participants in the ongoing auditions have been given a free hand to
come up with original and creative pieces in order to compete effectively with the other teams during the Festac festival.

‘We are building up momentum for the Festac festival that is why we want our youths to showcase their talent and be original and creative ahead of the event,’ he said.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Culture, Sports, Gender and Youth Beatrice Odongo said the department will take advantage of the ongoing auditions to scout for talent among the youth.

‘We are urging all the youths to come up and showcase their talent. You never know where your talent will take you,’ she said.

The cultural performances, she added will enhance transfer of knowledge and traditions to the young generation.

‘Our culture and traditional practices is slowly disappearing. We hope to have some kind of knowledge transfer during these celebrations,’ she said.

Source: Kenya News Agency