WINDHOEK - The 17th annual and popular cultural festival of the Polytechnic of Namibia kicked off yesterday in the capital.

The theme for this year’s festival is “Our Cultures Blossom like Flowers” will be expected to show off the proud mosaic of cultures that make up the multi-cultural and cosmopolitan academic community of the Polytechnic of Namibia.

Prior to the staging of the Miss and Mr. Polytechnic pageants on Friday, audiences will be treated to traditional performances throughout the week by students both foreign and local; an array of international dishes foods from countries as far and wide as Indonesian, Spain and the DRC, while interesting fun games and competitions including an egg race and blind-fold competitions.

The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Tjama Tjivikua, paid tribute to the diverse cultural heritage of the country and the important role it plays in teaching citizens the value of multi-culturalism, as well as appreciation, tolerance and peace.

“Even globally the question of multi-culturalism is still a niggling and sensitive issue that continues to pop up at unexpected places to the chagrin of those who are affected by the situation. As Namibians, we can count ourselves fortunate because even at the point of the struggle for freedom, we recognized that embedded in the struggle, was a necessity to restore dignity, pride, identity and character to all Namibians,” said Tjivikua.

Historian and anthropologist Jarimbovandu Kaputu said it was of paramount importance to promote and preserve the country’s cultural riches, which should ideally be viewed as an asset integral to development.

“We should ensure the survival of our handicrafts, traditional music and dance forms and art by encouraging the youth to be creative and to acquire these skills,” said Kaputu.

“Let us bear in mind that embracing our diversity as human beings can be the greatest tool with which we can conquer a positive future for our world, one that is characterized by unity, peace and cooperation. This way, we will be able to mend the divisions that have held back our progress and summon a patriotic spirit driven by a sense of goodwill in an effort to come together and to defend our heritage; take pride in our existence, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better world than we inherited, under the ideal that whatever our differences, we are fellow citizens of the earth.”

More than ten African countries, including Cuba, Indonesia, India, Spain, China and the USA will compete in the International Cuisine Day event tomorrow.