By Brian Mboh
Cameroonian-born Christophe Tapa has announced the holding of a mega Cameroonian Festival of North America. The US-based culture promoter made the declaration during a recent press conference, in America.
According to Christophe Tapa, the maiden Cameroonian cultural jamboree will run from May 29 to 31, 2026, in the U.S capital, Washington DC under the theme: Cameroonian Culture and Living Together.
He says, the event is a major cultural gathering to bring together the Cameroonian diaspora in North America to their heritage and promote values of peace and unity.
Key features of the upcoming cultural jamboree includes : live concerts: showcasing various styles of Cameroonian music, a football tournament, aimed at fostering community ties and a business forum, to serve as a platform for networking and professional exchange.
The promoter further says the business forum has three goals, which is that of empowering the Cameroonian diaspora living in USA, Mexico and Canada for their integration and more business openings.
There will also be a mentorship session with some of the most successful Cameroonians resident in Canada and Mexico will sharing their experiences so as to motivate their young compatriots.
Traditional dances, arts and formal celebrations will crown the cultural gala of the festival.
“We are expecting about 5,000 participants, making part of the Cameroonian community resident in America. The participants will be coming from the States of Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, Texas, Georgia, Atlanta, New York, California, Los Angeles and Harizona,” Tapa disclosed. He said the Cameroonian community in the United States sill be joined by delegations from Canada and Mexico.
“Our finances regarding the organisation of the event, comes through ticket sales, sponsorships from several institutions. Donations from foundations to support the event and application for grants, of which we’re expecting “, Tapa added.
Going by the visionary founder of the Cameroonian Cultural Festival of North America, their main challenge remains that of education.
He says it has not been easy to educate the Cameroonian community in the United States on the importance of the event, which is that of selling the Cameroonian cultural identity and traditional values.
He further says, the impact of the event on the Cameroonians back home will be the increase in the number of tourists, which will consequently have a huge positive economic impact in Cameroon. He disclosed that ever since the event was announced, lots of tourists have expressed their wish to visit Cameroon.
