FESTAC 2025: YOP Honors Young People For Preserving, Showcasing Cameroon's Cultural Heritage

 

Family Photo To Imortalise The Day

By Anne-Valien Berinyuy

The Youth Outreach Program (YOP) honored several children,and youths for their dedication to promoting and preserving cultural values and heritage. The awards were presented during the Youth Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) on June 14, 2025, at the Alliance Française Cameroun organized by YOP Cameroon, in partnership with Mission 21.

In its third edition, this year’s festival featured participation from children, youths, and sports veterans. The event included a variety of activities, such as cultural dance contests, a fashion parade, fashion designing, and others all showcasing participants' cultural talents.

Cross Section Of Participants At The Event 

Being part of commemorative activities to observe the Day of the African Child with the theme: "Budgeting for the Rights of Children," event organizer Omer Songwe emphasized that the essence of FESTAC is to help young persons appreciate their cultural heritage, especially at a time when the rise of the internet poses challenges to cultural identity preservation. He stated, 

"There is no better time to do this than on the Day of the African Child,"

He added, 

"We’re proud of the contestants in all categories. They performed so well that even the judges found it difficult to select the winners. However, in every competition, there must be a winner and a loser. We’re delighted with how the entire process unfolded."

This year’s edition attracted participants from the South West and West regions of Cameroon, who joined their North West counterparts to celebrate the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

Cultural Dance Competition 

A highlight of the festival was an electrifying performance by the Forest Children, whose remarkable dance earned them the first prize of 200,000 FCFA in the children’s cultural dance competition, maintaining the same position they secured last year.

After their victory, team member Doris Victory said their award came thanks to enormous sacrifice,

"We practice day and night, even in the rain, to maintain our leading position, which we have held for the past two years."

Bayong Emmanuel Che, the group’s director and manager, noted that such platforms are essential for skill development and cultural celebration, particularly in honoring the African child, who has faced numerous challenges and deserves recognition.

Forest Children In Action 

In the fashion segment, Eddy’s Fashion, based in Old Town Bamenda, emerged as the top winner, also receiving 200,000 FCFA. CEO Ndangmo Edward, who has been in the fashion design industry since 2017, began as part of a partnership before establishing his own brand.

FESTAC goes beyond cultural promotion; it also aims to foster leadership among young people, encouraging them to invest in various aspects of their communities. The annual festival not only features competitions but also serves as a platform for exhibitors to showcase and market their products. Organizers hope that future editions will expand further, reaching participants beyond the region.

Before the event day, Youth Outreach Program (YOP) Cameroon, in partnership with Mission 21, engaged children and youths from four regions of Cameroon in a one-week impactful program. The activities included a four-day workshop, a field trip exploring areas of cultural heritage, and cross-country race.

FESTAC 2025 In Pictures: