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Poetry: From A Song of Vultures
By Seanice Bwire
World Music Day, a French holiday that music enthusiasts across the globe look forward to was celebrated on Friday the 21st of June. In Uganda, Alliance Française hosted an unforgettable festival at Sheraton Gardens. The place was transformed into a serene and lively musical hub where people from different walks of life gathered to experience and savor a memorable culture and rhythm celebration.
The evening started with the infectious beats of Nilotika Cultural Ensemble. By this time, they had involved everyone by means of their drumming circle which set a lively tempo for the night but involved the growing crowd through dance as well. Carrying out short breaks in-between their performances teaching the audience about traditional dances in Uganda where everyone grabbed a partner and had a dance experience from each region of the country.
It was Biya who took over next by wowing guests through deeply echoing melodic guitar tunes. Ali Dekki followed, taking his act in directions that surprised the crowd eliciting cheers and laughter.
Joshua Baraka performance touched so many hearts stealing all attention as he performed some popular songs like “Nana” and “Delilah” that had the crowd singing at the top of their voices. This included his interpretation of “Dreams” which ended his performance for the night. His performance was perfected by Double Black’s smooth guitar prowess.
From Kenya, Makadem brought with himself infectious energy that had everyone on their feet dancing to his hypnotic beats and proving the universal appeal of music.
It was her powerful vocal prowess as well as commanding stage presence which Azawi used to close off the night leaving the audience dumbfounded. The crowd passionately sang along to every song in her set, creating a charged atmosphere across Sheraton gardens. Ironically, this celebration of Ugandan music was organized by an international organization. It showed global recognition for different musical traditions and created bond among attendees.
As the event drew to a close there was a growing feeling of looming nostalgia in the audience. By curating an evening that not only celebrated world music’s beauty but also nurtured connections through shared experiences and cultural exchange, Alliance Française had exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Sheraton Gardens proved a fitting location for this unforgettable occasion where music bridged differences and brought people together in concord. Here is to more magical evenings celebrating the universal power of music.
