Mozambique World AIDS Day music festival attracts thousands
29 January 2008
On 1 December 2007, to mark World AIDS Day, the Alliance in Mozambique sponsored a music festival organised by Mozambique’s largest radio station, Radio Moçambique/Radio Cidade – Beira. The ‘Stop AIDS’ event, the largest in Beira city, drew more than 10,000 people, who found out more about HIV prevention, voluntary counselling and testing, and positive living.
Eight bands, two dance groups, and 23 musicians performed the best of their music and dance. Each of the musicians prepared a song especially for the event and delivered a message about HIV at the end of their performance.
A number of questions about HIV were put to the people attending the festival, which showed that many people were aware of HIV and its causes. But many had questions about treatment, showing a need for more information in this area.
The festival lasted 11 hours (from 2pm to midnight), and was transmitted live on Radio Cidade. This was one of the biggest events that the Alliance in Mozambique has organized, and they hope to organize something even bigger next year!
