The burned Wolf of Wall Street movie issue stirred a major debate as freedom of expression matters took centre stage during the SautizaBusara festival, a Zanzibar hosted annual international music fete featuring entertainers from all over the world.
It wasn’t just the Kenyan censorship body that was highlighted but also other such continental organs who were faulted for failing to give clear blue prints to music and film makers some of whom have suffered great losses as their art work got burned from public view.
With tens of artistes gathering in Zanzibar for the celebrated music festival, the exotic island was turned into a cultural fusion where the best from all over the world showcased their art to thousands of music lovers. Music, an expression of freedom, was the domineering highlight.
A whopping 560 artistes from across Africa and around the world had applied to participate, but only 30 groups managed to share the podium in the region’s most reputable music fete now in its eleventh year.
Kenya was highly represented with a number of local musicians and deejays showcasing their talent, and players in the entertainment industry playing key roles in a busy but exciting one week programme that saw the curtains come down last night.
From international music legends like the German-based Ghana singerEbo Taylor, WaldemarBastos from Portugal, Joe Driscoll from USA to big continental names like Wunmi from Nigeria, Kara Sylla from Senegal, Jupiter and Okwess from the Democratic Republic of Congo and scores Tanzanian acts, there was no disappointing as music sounds, film and dance engulfed the island. It was a fusion of cultures as tradition met modernity through sound and creative dance. Besides the pomp and colour, showbiz movers and shakers representing over 40 countries made themselves heard as they exposed governments across Africa which have supressed freedom of expression through art.
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Rebecca Corey, the managing director in-charge of Busara promotions termed music as a universal language with a transforming effect in the society
SautizaBusara, East Africa’s premier music festival is one of Africa’s leading music events in the continental showbiz calendar.