ZANZIBAR: AS part of the upcoming Stone Town Day celebrations, the Zanzibar Stone Town Conservation and Development Authority (STCDA) has announced plans to paint all 2,711 buildings in the protected area, including those slated for major repairs.
STCDA Director General, Mr Ali Said Bakar, shared the details while unveiling the schedule for the event, which begins on November 30 and culminates on December 2 at Forodhani Park. President Hussein Ali Mwinyi is expected to preside over the climax of the celebrations.
President Mwinyi instituted Stone Town Day in 2021 to commemorate the iconic heritage site and promote its conservation and development.
The annual event falls on December 2, marking the day the Stone Town of Zanzibar was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
“This year’s celebrations will include the launch of a campaign to paint all buildings in the conserved area, thanks to support from Infinity Company,” said Mr Bakar.
The festivities, themed “Dr Mwinyi: The Light of the Heritage Stone Town”, will feature various activities, including the launch of online services for visitors, a traditional Makachu diving competition at Forodhani Park and an exhibition showcasing Zanzibar’s cultural heritage from November 30 to December 3.
Other highlights include tours of newly established gardens and the progress of the Judiciary Museum in the historic Court building at Vuga, as well as plans for a Cemetery Museum.
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The celebrations will also align with the global ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, running from November 25 to December 10.
Mr Mohamed Bajubeir, a member of the organising committee, emphasised the event’s importance in raising public awareness about the ongoing improvements in Stone Town, which continues to develop as a cultural and historical hub.
Recognised by UNESCO for its Outstanding Universal Value, Stone Town’s cultural diversity, architectural heritage and historic role in Indian Ocean maritime trade and the abolition of slavery underscore its global significance.
