PRESIDENT TO LAUNCH ZANZIBAR’S FIRST LITERARY AND JAZZ FESTIVAL

President Ali Mohamed Shein will launch Zanzibar’s first international literary and jazz festival at world heritage site - Stone Town (Zanzibar) - on 2 September.
Zanzibar’s President will be opening the ‘Jahazi Literary and Jazz Festival’ at an official ceremony held in the Old Fort alongside the former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Lord Malloch Brown.
The President said: “I believe this festival will raise awareness on importance of people’s culture, democracy, respect for human rightsand better management of Africa’s resources.”
The Jahazi Festival is committed to education and actively working towards peace. These themes, and many others, will be discussed via, workshops, seminars and forums designed to stimulate discussion and to educate people on current issues.
Lord Malloch Brown said:” Literature and music are powerful educators and I hope the people of Zanzibar will embrace this remarkable festival. I am looking forward to being in Zanzibar once again and enjoying such an inspirational occasion.”
Jazz musicians that will be performing during the festival period include Moussa Diallo, Al Campos, Mohammed Jabry, Jaiza Bongo, Safar and Mim Suleiman. Writers include, Tim Severin, Gillian Slovo, Tishani Doshi, Lord Malloch Brown, Haji Gurah, John Baptist da Silva and Moses Isegawa.
The festival runs from 2-4 September. Tickets will be available from 1 August at www.jahazifestival.com, A Novel Idea bookstore (Stone Town and Dar es Salaam) and also at the Old Fort reception.
For more information please visitwww.jahazifestival.com or for media interviews please contact the press office atmanager@jahazifestival.com or +255 (0) 772823234.
ENDS
1. Jahazi Ltd is a registered and non-profit making organisation.
2. Jahazi Ltd was formed in May 2011.
3. Jahazi Ltd holds an annual literary and Jazz festival every year in September.
4. The first festival is to be held 2-4 September 2011.
5. The key aim of the festival is to educate people through literature and music and to provide a setting in which a meaningful cultural, educational and intellectual dialogue can take place between writer, musicians and festivalgoers.
6. Jahazi Ltd, through its sponsors, provides university scholarships to support the areas of literature and music.