Bamenda: 2024 edition of Youth Festival of Arts & Culture schedule for June 16.

This was during a press conference organised in Bamenda June11.

During the presser, the rules, conditions and terms of the event were unveiled. The conference was chaired by the Programme Coordinator of Youth Outreach Programme, YOP, Omer Songwe. 

Also present were journalists and representatives from various participating groups. The event is an initiative of the Youth Outreach Programme in Cameroon. It is aimed at celebrating the Day of the African Child.

During the press conference, four fashion design groups were shortlisted from 13, that registered for the competition. 

The four groups, together with last year's finalist, shall compete on Sunday for the final prize in the fashion design category.

According to Omer Songwe, the aim is to get African children involved in the celebration of the Day of the African Child as well as tell their own stories and enhance African values.

"This event gives an opportunity for youth to be celebrated. We want them to actively participate in the celebration of this day and not us CSOs holding roundtable conferences. We are looking at ways that they themselves can participate, especially on the theme of the event," Omer Songwe said.

The most innovative part of this year's event is the 14-kilometer cross country race, which shall take place on Saturday June 15 in the Bamenda I Subdivision.

The race involves both junior and senior athletes with prizes from ranging from 25,000 FCFA to 100,000 FCFA.

Other activities of the Youth FESTAC include workshops for the participants, and the festival proper which will hold on June 16 at the St Joseph Hall, Bamenda Metropolitan Cathedral.

A total of 10 dance groups have registered for the competition. Winners in both dance groups and the fashion design categories shall go home with prizes ranging from 100,000 FCFA to 200,000 FCFA.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Issues No:3140 of Thursday June 13, 2024