The Festival of the Dhow Countries includes a variety of creative and imaginative events, didactic activities and practical workshops for the younger ones. As an integral part of the Festival the Children's Panorama is designed to engage children and young people (some of which do not attend school) in the arts and media giving recognition to their special interests and needs.

The Festival intends to develop and support work with the children in Zanzibar throughout the year as well as during the Festival period. Discussions and debates, social awareness, literature studies and competitions to develop their communication skills, art expression to form their imagination, animation and video productions to promote their right to expression through a strong voice, drama workshops to generate team support, creative initiatives made by the children themselves, are all part of the programme in which children can participate and find ways in which to portray the visions of their lives and dreams.

A specific part of the Children s Panorama is the UNICEF Sara initiative. It provides a prime example of well researched and produced films about Africa for children. Sara stories, characters and images have been developed by African artists, portraying realistic settings, people and situations. Children of Zanzibar will have the opportunity to enjoy these animated stories and learn from them. (see UNICEF-Sara programme.)

Through the celebration of the Festival of the Dhow Countries 2000 the organisation is determined to succeed in developing its programmes to reach every child in Zanzibar and Tanzania.

Video workshops (24 June9 July)
Impart technology and video camera skills in order to be used as a media to portray their visions and images of children. Develop themes and ideas for pilot childrens documentaries.
Participation (total 40 children):
Ilos School ? Vikokotoni School
Locations: Beit el'Ajaib (House of Wonders)

TVZ tairning centre (introduction to camera, theory and practice) Lumunba and Haille-Sellassie School (dialoge and filming) Beit elAjaib (filming, viewing and debate).

Music workshop (24 June 9 July)
Based on Taraab, Ngoma and modern music, this workshop introduces composition and rhythm and instruments as means of expression for the childrens many messages. Songs, dances and poetry results will be performed amongst the participatory schools.

Participants (total 100 children):
International School ? Laureate International School S.O.S. School Haille-Sellassie School
Locations: Beit elAjaib ? Introduction to song composition, title, verse, chorus introducing a song to students, type of beats/style, lead vocals and background vocals, melody and harmony, tempo or timing).
Performances: Monday 3 July, 14.0016.00 Beit el Ajaib (House of Wonders), Ngome Kongwe (Old Fort).

Film / video screening (19 July)
Film and video productions to raise children s awareness and interest in media, through themes such as animation, children's rights, health consciousness. Part of this programme is conducted under UNICEF s Sara initiative (1-6 July).

Participant Schools (total 3000 children):
Monomania K/Samaki Forodhani Tumekuja (sec) Kwerekwe A M/kwerekwe E Ben-Bella Kiponda Hurumzi Darajani Vikokotoni Haille-Selassie K/chekundu (pri) M/shauri Hamamni K/chekundu(sec) Kajificheni Tumekuja (pri) Kiswandui Mkunazini
Location: Beit el'Ajaib (House of Wonders)

Children s symposium (7 July 9.00)
To enable children to understand and discuss issues related to their needs and concerns, sharing experiences and situations.

Participant Schools (10 pupils from each):
Lumumba Kiponda Nyuki Mikunguni Haille-selessie Ben-Bella M/Kwerekwe A Kiembesamaki Vikokotoni
Location: Beit el'Ajaib (House of wonders)

Please look at Village Panorama for further activities for children.
Children Table