Cameroon LGBTQI groups stage impactful cultural event
Spectacle Culturel featured a diverse and inclusive lineup of Cameroonian artists
On Thursday, July 3, Kyriakides Park in Yaoundé, Cameroon was transformed into a true cultural hub, vibrating to the rhythm of a colorful show under the theme, “For an inclusive and non-discriminatory artistic environment.”
Theater, music, slam, and dance lit up this “Spectacle Culturel,” orchestrated by the Unity platform, a network of 39 civil society organizations committed to promoting human rights and health. The event was coordinated by CAMFAIDS, a community organization committed to the fight against HIV and infectious diseases, and defending the rights of vulnerable populations including LGBTQI people.
During his speech, Michel Engama, president of the Unity Platform, a coalition of LGBTQI rights organizations in Cameroon, reiterated the purpose of this initiative: to offer a day of artistic celebration, a vibrant tribute to creativity in all its forms. He denounced the barriers that still prevent too many people from expressing themselves freely due to their appearance, disability, or other forms of discrimination, even though they possess immense talent. For him, this day allows these often silenced voices to be affirmed for years to come.
He also affirmed that every human being deserves access to health, life, and respect, regardless of their condition or orientation, advocating for a more welcoming, equitable, and inclusive artistic world.
For his part, Ebenezer Munkam, Together Project Coordinator and Director of Human Rights at CAMFAIDS, emphasized that this initiative responds to an urgent need: to combat persistent stigma in show business. “Whether it’s music, dance, fashion, or gastronomy, the artistic world is not immune to discrimination,” he recalled, emphasizing the importance of events like this in promoting a fairer, more representative, and truly inclusive cultural ecosystem.
A stage shared by talents from all over Cameroon
Dancers, slam poets, singers, and artists living with disabilities gathered on the same stage, hailing from different regions of the country. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, they offered the audience a moment of emotion and sharing, greeted by rapturous applause from a completely captivated audience.
A scene of emotion and commitment
Originally from Garoua, artist Franck Talla expressed his gratitude for participating in the event.
“Participating in a CAMFAIDS event is always an honor for me. The audience here is dear to me. As an artist, I am a messenger of love. As an orphan myself, I feel intimately connected to the causes that affect the most vulnerable: people living with disabilities, widows… If my songs can even touch someone’s life in a positive way, then I sing without hesitation,” Talla says.
A well-received and applauded evening
In the audience, Smadar Kalmar, wife of the Israeli ambassador to Cameroon, warmly praised the quality of the show. She said she was impressed by the creativity and boundless energy of the artists throughout the evening.
When art becomes a vector for change
Much more than just a show, this initiative, driven by CAMFAIDS and its partners, highlighted the power of culture as a driver of social transformation. By giving a voice and visibility to all talents, without distinction, it helps break down barriers, combat stigma, and build a more egalitarian society, imbued with respect and dignity.
