Africa-Press – Gambia. Flex Fuzion Entertainment and Dance Academy on Saturday staged the third edition of the “Perreh-Bi Fest,” a cultural beach festival aimed at promoting Gambian heritage, creativity, youth empowerment and domestic tourism.
The event, held at Palma Rima Beach, was supported by the European Union Youth Empowerment Project – Tourism and Creative Industries, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Trade, Employment and Regional Integration.
The festival brought together music, dance, traditional performances, masquerades, sports, gastronomy, arts and small-scale entrepreneurship in a family-friendly cultural experience. Organisers said the event provided a platform for showcasing local talent while strengthening community ties and national identity.
Vendors expressed appreciation for the opportunity, noting that the festival created income avenues and visibility for locally made products and Gambian cuisine.
Judith Foon, CEO and founder of SheMade, a handicraft brand promoting locally made products, said the festival allowed her to showcase authentic Gambian creativity.
“Events like this help us put made-in-The Gambia products in the spotlight and also give families a place to relax and enjoy themselves,” she said.
Foon, participating for the second time, noted that the exposure helped grow her business. She said she started her brand in 2010, stopped operations and later relaunched in 2020 after rebranding.
“Back then, people didn’t place much value on Gambian-made products, but now awareness is growing and more people are supporting local brands,” she added.
Ndey Fatou, founder and CEO of Flex Fuzion, said “Perreh-Bi” is derived from a Wolof word associated with the beach. She explained that the festival was created to reconnect young people, especially with Gambian culture and cuisine.
“Many young people don’t fully know our traditions. We want to create a safe, family-friendly space where they can learn and celebrate our heritage,” she reiterated.
Fatou acknowledged challenges such as setting up on sandy terrain and funding costs, and appealed for increased stakeholder support.
She said the festival has generated between 300 and 400 temporary jobs within two months and provided opportunities for creative entrepreneurs.
“Our goal is to make this a national festival that promotes domestic tourism and helps Gambians appreciate the beauty of their own country,” she remarked.
Organisers say they plan to hold the festival monthly, with the next editions scheduled from July to October 2026.
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