EIGHTH MORIJA ARTS AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL LAUNCHED
	Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso last Wednesday launched the 8th Morija Arts and Cultural festival which will be held at the end of September 2006. Speaking at this occasion which also marked the 50th anniversary of Morija Museum and Archives, Her Majesty pointed out that the festival began in 1999 as a diversion to unify the country soon after the 1998 political riots. She said over the years the festival has gone from strength to strength and has managed to conquer the hearts of other nations while also unleashing the potential of young artists both nationally and internationally. Her Majesty said this year’s theme ‘unity is strength’ seeks to reinforce unity in issues of good governance whilst also bringing to light the fact that the success of the festival cannot be anyone’s responsibility but should be shouldered by every Mosotho. On behalf of the Minister of Tourism, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing Mr Mpho Malie said reflecting on the eight years of its existence, it is evident that the festival has become more of an outing, with parents bringing children to see the beauty of Basotho’s culture and make friends with other children and partners bringing one another. He said government will continue to sponsor the festival because it strongly recognises the importance of people knowing who they are and where they come from remaining conscious that a person who knows himself quite well, can never go wrong in life. The president of Lesotho Evangelical Church (LEC) Reverend Rapelang Mokhahlane said as the church they have a particular interest in the festival and strive at all times to ensure that it is not tarnished by any unlawful means or the abuse of alcohol and other substances. Some of the speakers on this occasion were the representative of the Chief of Morija who reiterated that like in the past years, his office will do all in its powers to safeguard the people who will be attending the festival. A representative of the board that facilitates preparations of the festival Mr Stephen Gill and the representative of the board of directors of Morija Museum and Archives lauded the success of the festival over the years, stating their wish that it sees many more years.
	Source: LENA