KANFEST 2025:Gov. Yusuf Directs Emirs To Hold Annual Durbar Festival
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has directed the four Emirs in the state to be staging Annual Durbar(traditional horse riding) so as to promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the people of the state.
Yusuf gave the directive on Saturday while declaring open the three-day KANFEST (Kalankuwa) 2025 holding at the Kano Trade Fair complex.
The event is being staged to celebrate Kano’s cultural diversity,empower creatives, engage youths and women, as well as foster global partnerships so as to place Kano on the world’s cultural map.
The Governor pledged the full support of the State Government to the Emirates to ensure that the centuries-old tradition(horsemanship) is preserved, strengthened and showcased to the world.
The governor also assured the committement of his administration to continue to invest in the promotion of arts, culture and tourism as vital instruments of social cohesion, youth engagement and economic diversification.
He described the event as another milestone in the history of the state, saying that Kano is a state deeply rooted in history, arts, culture and heritage.
“I am highly delighted to be in your midst today as we mark yet another milestone in the history of our beloved state with the official opening of the first edition of Kano Festival of Arts and Culture popularly known as KANFEST and literally called Kalankuwa in Hausa.
“Let me state here that Kano is a state deeply rooted in history, arts, culture and heritage. For centuries, our city has stood as a centre of learning commerce, creativity and civilisation.
“The craftsmanship of our people, the richness of our traditions and the resilience of our forefathers are what made Kano the pride of the Sudan region and a reference point in Africa’s map.
“As you can testify, even prior to our election, we made it clear that in our blueprint, we made a commitment to revive and reposition our culture. Information and culture are not merely as a matter of right but as a means of restoring the dignity of our people, strengthening our identity and recreating economic opportunities through cultural interface.
“In line with that commitment, our administration has embarked on several projects and programmes aimed at reviving Kano’ lost glory and safeguatding its ongoing heritage,” Yusuf said
He also promised to revive the ancient Kano walls, the Dala Hills, the Gidan Makama museum and other historic monuments that give Kano the thick status of ancient commercial city and the landscape of tourism that attract researchers, students and tourists from across the globe.
In his remarks, the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the State Council of Emirates, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II commended the foresight of the State Government of restoring the diminishing and valuable traditions of Kano people.
The festival will feature cultural and local cuisine exhibitions, performances, games,drama,crafts, fabrics, pottery and paper presentations from resource persons among others.
The opening ceremony attracted participants that included traditional rulers and tittle holders, members of the diplomatic corp, artisans, cultural groups, investors, youth and artists, among other stakeholders in the culture and tourism Industry.