The 2011 Panafest festival got underway in Cape Coast as dancers, musicians, chiefs and special guests all got involved in the celebrations on show.
Victoria Square on July 25th was the host for the day as over 600 people witnessed the launch of festival that aims to "Re-unite the African family". The sun baked down upon the square as rows of colourful tents lined the borders of the area with a huge open space in the middle for all the performers to revel in; there was dancers in seas of masks, musicians giving traditional Ghanaian performances, men on huge, steep stilts and special guests being paraded as the banging of drums whirled out across the square.
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| Some traditional leaders in Ghana |
Part of the square was for all the special guests to step up to the podium to pronounce their statements on the launch of the 2011 festival. Rabbi Kohain Nathanyah Halevi stepped up first to express: "I am honored to perform this duty of speaking to you today." He continued: "Let our presence today let us open the doors for the African family to be reunited, let's embrace each other spirituality, let's love each other." The strong words were met with a rapture of cheers and claps as the atmosphere of the festival integrated itself exponentially. Next up was the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, the Hon. Alexander Asum Ahensan. He arose to the microphone with hundreds of people watching and expressed: "On behalf of the Panafest festival I would like to thank everyone who contributed to keep the foundations in tact." He also set his sights to the future and added: "We start organising the 2012 festival in August so we have a massive and exciting festival, we have the support and institutions that can make it happen."
It certainly promises to be a big one but it's hard to focus on next year when the celebrations for this year's festival are taking place in grand style before the Minister's eyes. During an enterlude groups of dancers and acrobats perform a energetic dance routine that sees three men balance on each others heads, dancers drape each other in flags while people with skipping ropes skip whilst doing a variety of moves. The music, once again, is ever loud with drums and chanting reigning out across the square. After the performance more speakers take to the podium as the climax of the launch sees the Vice President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, declare his statements on the launch of the 2011 festival. He started by saying: "I am delighted to be here with you today as we open Panafest festival." "I am happy to be part of this ceremony to remember our brothers and sisters who were separated by evil doings in human history." The Vice President went on to say; "The African race has been witness to some of the most gruesome happenings but yet, we survive. It's time to turn the door of no return at the slave castle to a door of return, a door of rebirth."
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| Vice President John Dramani Mahama |
The Vice President words were met again with cheers and claps from the people lining Victoria Square. He went on to promise that the festival remain a crucial part of the cultural calender and will keep being supported by the government. As John Dramani Mahama's words came to a close, it was clear that the festival was well and truly underway. The day had been a success and countless people had engaged with the fun and celebrations that were offered by the organisers.The 2011 Panafest festival had begun - the door of no return, was well and truly open for all the African family to return.
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