THE spotlight is slowly moving over to Zanzibar as Stone Town, a location with a unique history and world heritage status, is about to host one of Africa's biggest cultural events.

Sauti za Busara Music Festival, one of the most important events of the year in Zanzibar in terms of boosting economy and promoting music, opens on Thursday in the Indian Ocean island.

For nearly a week, tens of artists from various parts of the continent – not to mention music and cultural enthusiasts, guests and journalists – will converge in Stone Town for the event, a big deal to Zanzibar!

I say it's a big deal because, firstly, it will provide the Isles economy with a major foreign exchange injection.

Secondly, this year's event comes at a time when a debate on a coalition government in Zanzibar is still going on.

Thus it'll, I presume, help cement unity as it'll take place using the fundamental belief that cultural diversity through music creates harmony, unity and builds consensus.

It's believed that artists see the world differently. Their perspectives are unique, so are their means of self-expression.

Their art lies partly in their ability to make people question their assumptions and beliefs, and encourage them consider different visions of their country.

It's in this light that I appeal to the organisers to dedicate this year's event to fostering peace in Zanzibar, especially at this time when the election fever is mounting high among Tanzanians.

Since its inception seven years ago or so, the festival has remained an important event in promoting the wealth and diversity of music in East Africa.

It also has served as a unique opportunity for East African artists to showcase their talents, and share experience and ideas with guest musicians, who usually bring new ideas and inspiration to the hosts.

While praising the festival's organising team for enabling the Isles government rake in some foreign currency out of the event, I would like to remind them that there's need to do more on the tourism front.

We in Tanzania have, for years, been taking music and cultural events for granted, yet they have a major impact on tourism.

As the global tourism industry becomes increasingly competitive, relevant authorities should take a new approach in the promotion of the sector, and use the festival to make the Isles one of the preferred tourism destinations in Africa.

Hopefully, participating groups will enjoy the six-day event, as Stone Town is the perfect location for cultural celebrations.

THE spotlight is slowly moving over to Zanzibar as Stone Town, a location with a unique history and world heritage status, is about to host one of Africa's biggest cultural events.

Sauti za Busara Music Festival, one of the most important events of the year in Zanzibar in terms of boosting economy and promoting music, opens on Thursday in the Indian Ocean island.

For nearly a week, tens of artists from various parts of the continent – not to mention music and cultural enthusiasts, guests and journalists – will converge in Stone Town for the event, a big deal to Zanzibar!

I say it's a big deal because, firstly, it will provide the Isles economy with a major foreign exchange injection.

Secondly, this year's event comes at a time when a debate on a coalition government in Zanzibar is still going on.

Thus it'll, I presume, help cement unity as it'll take place using the fundamental belief that cultural diversity through music creates harmony, unity and builds consensus.

It's believed that artists see the world differently. Their perspectives are unique, so are their means of self-expression.

Their art lies partly in their ability to make people question their assumptions and beliefs, and encourage them consider different visions of their country.

It's in this light that I appeal to the organisers to dedicate this year's event to fostering peace in Zanzibar, especially at this time when the election fever is mounting high among Tanzanians.

Since its inception seven years ago or so, the festival has remained an important event in promoting the wealth and diversity of music in East Africa.

It also has served as a unique opportunity for East African artists to showcase their talents, and share experience and ideas with guest musicians, who usually bring new ideas and inspiration to the hosts.

While praising the festival's organising team for enabling the Isles government rake in some foreign currency out of the event, I would like to remind them that there's need to do more on the tourism front.

We in Tanzania have, for years, been taking music and cultural events for granted, yet they have a major impact on tourism.

As the global tourism industry becomes increasingly competitive, relevant authorities should take a new approach in the promotion of the sector, and use the festival to make the Isles one of the preferred tourism destinations in Africa.

Hopefully, participating groups will enjoy the six-day event, as Stone Town is the perfect location for cultural celebrations.