UNESCO, partners fine-tune strategies to rekindle Jazz genre.

The event, organised both onsite and online, held at UNESCO head office in Yaounde Monday April 29. 

The focal point of the gathering was a roundtable titled: “Morning Rising in the World: Together for Inclusive Growth, Educating through Art”.

It has as objectives, to raise awareness among members of the national community regarding the cultural significance of jazz, not only as a musical genre but also as a powerful educational tool and catalyst for peace, unity, and dialogue. 

Specifically, the event aims to promote cultural diversity by displaying Afro-jazz musical expressions and fostering artistic innovation that incorporates traditional musical forms into modernity.

The audience targeted in the event includes institutional partners, musicians, music academies, students, music producers, musicologists, anthropologists, jazz clubs, specialists and the public.

Speaking during the event, the representative of the Director of UNESCO Central Africa, Hilare Mputu, said: “UNESCO in its role of promotion of cultural diversity is celebrating this day in a bid to rekindle Jazz to the new generation of African youths and the role of this music genre as a tool for peace and social cohesion” 

According to organisers, Jazz, often hailed as more than just music, embodies a universal message of peace a harmonious alliance of rhythm and meaning that transcends borders and languages. 

They said it serves as a beacon of values such as mutual understanding, inclusivity, and improvisation, guiding musicians, poets, painters, and authors worldwide. 

As UNESCO emphasises, culture, far beyond mere entertainment, is a window to the soul, reflecting the essence of humanity.

The founder and promoter of Ubuntu cultural centre, Ruben Binam, told reporters that: “Jazz which originated from Africa is now something that is being regarded as a genre for the external world. We have to re-appropriate this genre to African society, and to do that we could introduce jazz in the curriculum of the schools to include children and youths. We should also create more centers or Jazz clubs where artist can showcase their talents”.

The event aimed to highlight the role of jazz in disseminating universal values inherent in UNESCO’s mandate, such as tolerance, mutual understanding, and peace. 

By facilitating exchanges and understanding between cultures, it endeavours to build bridges and foster a spirit of cooperation and tolerance.