PAYNESVILLE CITY, LIBERIA-Action-Aid Liberia and its partners, over the weekend, hosted the 2026 National Cultural Festival at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Gymnasium in Paynesville City.

Held under the theme:” Our Culture, Our Pride: Empowering Women and Girls”, the festival celebrated Liberia’s rich cultural heritage while promoting the empowerment, safety, and well-being of women and girls.

The event featured colorful performances by cultural troupes from Bong, Margibi, Grand Gedeh, Montserrado, and other counties, showcasing the country’s diverse traditions through music, dance, and drama.

The gathering brought together scores of Liberians, government officials, development partners, and other stakeholders to celebrate the nation’s cultural identity and promote unity through culture.

Speakers at the event emphasized the importance of preserving Liberia’s unique cultural heritage, while calling for stronger efforts to protect and empower women and girls across the country.

For his part, the Swedish Ambassador to Liberia has stressed the need for the complete abolition of harmful traditional practices in Liberia.

Ambassador Karl Backeus said,” Liberia’s rich cultural heritage can be preserved without practices that endanger the lives of women and girls”.

Referring to female genital mutilation, he maintained that ending harmful traditional practices does not take away Liberia’s cultural identity or values.

Ambassador Backeus said culture should promote the dignity, safety, and rights of every citizen, particularly women and girls.

The Swedish Envoy also underscored the importance of empowering and educating Liberian women and girls, describing it as essential to the country’s development.

Acknowledging the progress Liberia has made in advancing the rights of women and girls, Ambassador Karl Backeus said more needs to be done.

Also, Liberia’s Arts and Culture Ambassador has reaffirmed the Government of Liberia’s commitment to promoting the country’s arts and cultural heritage.

Ambassador Kekura Kamara said,” President Joseph Boakai’s July 26 declaration to reopen and modernize the Kendeja Culture Center and the National Museum demonstrates the government’s dedication to preserving and promoting Liberia’s rich cultural identity”.

Ambassador Kamara praised Action-Aid Liberia for organizing the event, and pledged the government’s commitment to collaborating with the organization to advance the country’s cultural sector.

Meanwhile, Gbarpolu County Superintendent, Sam Zinnah, who served as the orator for the festival, underscored the uniqueness and importance of Liberia’s diverse cultural heritage.

Superintendent Zinnah encouraged Liberians to embrace and celebrate their cultural identity, describing it as a source of national pride and unity.

By: Naketa Roberts