Matutura Cultural Festival celebrates diversity
Encouraging Cultural Exchange
The third annual Matutura Cultural Festival kicked off over the weekend in Swakopmund. The festival was aimed at showcasing Namibia’s rich cultural heritage through showcasing the traditions, music, dance, art, and cuisine of various cultural groups.
Swakopmund Mayor, Dina Namubes emphasized the significance of the festival to both Swakopmund and Namibia as a whole. “This is the diversity that defines our beautiful town of Swakopmund, our town, like many across Namibia, is home to a vibrant mix of cultural backgrounds, each contributing to the unique background that we proudly share.”
Reflecting on the festival's origins, the 2022 Matutura Festival marked the beginning of a new tradition in Swakopmund, bringing together various cultural groups, including the Otjiherero, Baster, Batswana, Oshiwambo, Kavango, Ovahimba, Nama, and Damara. The festival successfully created a platform where tradition, art, food, and performances come together, offering a rich experience for all attendees.
“This festival became more than just an event, it was a reflection of who we are as a people and the values we stand for,” Namubes stated. She emphasized how the festival has done more than celebrate heritage and how it has strengthened bonds of mutual respect, encouraged shared experiences, and raised a deeper understanding between diverse groups.
The Mayor acknowledged the powerful impact of the festival on promoting inclusivity and preserving cultural heritage. “In showcasing the riches of each tradition, we have not only honored our past but also laid the foundation for a more inclusive future where our differences are not merely acknowledged but cherished,” she said.
Namubes announced that due to the festival’s resounding success and the widespread support from the public, the cultural festival would become a recurring highlight on Swakopmund’s annual events calendar. “This initiative will continue to nurture the spirit of unity and respect, providing ongoing opportunities to celebrate our cultural diversity,” she declared.
She called upon everyone to embrace the festival as more than just a celebration, but as an act of unity, solidarity, and respect for one another. “Festivals like this teach us that while we may come from different backgrounds, we all share a common desire to live in harmony, to learn from each other, and to grow together as a community,” Namubes remarked.
Lastly, the Mayor encouraged attendees to continue the celebration and foster the spirit of unity that defines Swakopmund. “Let us embrace this opportunity to build a stronger, more inclusive Swakopmund where every cultural group is empowered to share their traditions and where we all can enjoy the beauty of diversity,” she said.
The Matutura Cultural Festival, truly lived up to its promise of celebrating Namibia's rich cultural heritage and fostering a sense of unity among its people.
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Swakopmund Mayor, Dina Namubes emphasized the significance of the festival to both Swakopmund and Namibia as a whole. “This is the diversity that defines our beautiful town of Swakopmund, our town, like many across Namibia, is home to a vibrant mix of cultural backgrounds, each contributing to the unique background that we proudly share.”
Reflecting on the festival's origins, the 2022 Matutura Festival marked the beginning of a new tradition in Swakopmund, bringing together various cultural groups, including the Otjiherero, Baster, Batswana, Oshiwambo, Kavango, Ovahimba, Nama, and Damara. The festival successfully created a platform where tradition, art, food, and performances come together, offering a rich experience for all attendees.
“This festival became more than just an event, it was a reflection of who we are as a people and the values we stand for,” Namubes stated. She emphasized how the festival has done more than celebrate heritage and how it has strengthened bonds of mutual respect, encouraged shared experiences, and raised a deeper understanding between diverse groups.
The Mayor acknowledged the powerful impact of the festival on promoting inclusivity and preserving cultural heritage. “In showcasing the riches of each tradition, we have not only honored our past but also laid the foundation for a more inclusive future where our differences are not merely acknowledged but cherished,” she said.
Namubes announced that due to the festival’s resounding success and the widespread support from the public, the cultural festival would become a recurring highlight on Swakopmund’s annual events calendar. “This initiative will continue to nurture the spirit of unity and respect, providing ongoing opportunities to celebrate our cultural diversity,” she declared.
She called upon everyone to embrace the festival as more than just a celebration, but as an act of unity, solidarity, and respect for one another. “Festivals like this teach us that while we may come from different backgrounds, we all share a common desire to live in harmony, to learn from each other, and to grow together as a community,” Namubes remarked.
Lastly, the Mayor encouraged attendees to continue the celebration and foster the spirit of unity that defines Swakopmund. “Let us embrace this opportunity to build a stronger, more inclusive Swakopmund where every cultural group is empowered to share their traditions and where we all can enjoy the beauty of diversity,” she said.
The Matutura Cultural Festival, truly lived up to its promise of celebrating Namibia's rich cultural heritage and fostering a sense of unity among its people.
[email protected]
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