Bayimba International Festival of Music and Arts

Poster courtesy of Bayimba Cultural Foundation
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Festival Story:

Bayimba Cultural Foundation has set as its goal to uplift arts and culture, especially visual and performing arts, in Uganda and East Africa by promoting original cultural exchange and creativity, contributing to making Uganda and East Africa a significant hub for music and arts in Africa.

To achieve this, it organizes a range of activities on an annual basis. The Bayimba International Festival of the Arts is the most visible activity. The Festival is held annually for three days during the third week of the month of September. The Bayimba Festival was initiated in 2008 when its first edition took place. Ever since, it has gradually developed into a major multi-arts festival with a varied and qualitative programming, presenting exciting, innovative and creative ideas to large audiences. Each Bayimba Festival brings an unparalleled feast of music, dance, theatre, film, visual arts from renowned and upcoming Ugandan, (East) African and international artists to Kampala.

The Bayimba International Festival of the Arts has become a highlight on Uganda’s cultural calendar. Every September, Kampala comes alive as a vibrant and eventful city – a hub for innovation and creativity. The Festival is eagerly awaited by local artists and local people alike while artists from abroad and visitors from far afield pour into Kampala to take advantage of the exciting artistic experience. It is developing into an important (East) African destination festival, ensuring regional and international visitation and enhancing both national and international cultural tourism.

The Bayimba International Festival of the Arts is undoubtedly Uganda’s number one festival – physically, by offering exciting artistic experiences to as many Ugandans as possible; artistically, by presenting Uganda’s finest artists and upcoming talents from across the country (discovered through its various activities, including its one-day festivals throughout Uganda); demographically, by engaging as many Ugandans as possible, making the Festival their own; and organisationally, by being led by a team of committed and experienced Ugandans.

Festival Events:

Artist applications 2013:

• The 6th edition of the Bayimba International Festival is scheduled from September 20 - 22, 2013 in Kampala. Artists of all disciplines are invited to submit an application. Applications are accepted until March 31, 2013. You are requested to submit the following information (please limit your submission to 5MB for those applying by email).
• Provide the following
  
  • A completed entry form (download below)
  • A profile/short biography (max. 800 words) with recent picture(s).
  • A presentation of your work (in case of music/film: one or two of your recordings on CD, DVD or MP3)
  • A technical rider/data sheet
• We will confirm receipt of your submission and assess your application. Please note that due to the many submissions received, we will only be able to respond to successful applicants.
• For additional information visit http://www.bayimba.org.

Other Sources:

Podcast interviews:

• If you like this festval — listen to…
  
  • Samite Mulondo, flutist
    http://kadmusarts.com/podcasts/?p=2300

KadmusArts on Facebook:

• Like KadmusArts on Facebook — we are your gateway to interact with the global community of festival fans, artist and organizers. Please share your comments and experiences in regard to this festival at http://www.facebook.com/pages/KadmusArts/17962154811

Practical Info:

Venue:

• Uganda National Theatre
  Saidi Barre Road
  Kampala
• Unlike in the past, entrance is this time set at as little as 1,000 UGX
  Open from 10:00am to midnight

Do you have an update or more information about this festival? Email us at updates@kadmusarts.com
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