Kenya is among the few countries selected to showcase their cultural diversity at the US fete dubbed 2014 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
The event slated for June 25 to July 6, at the National Mall, Washington DC in the US, will offer opportunities to showcase Kenya’s tourism potential and cultures.
The outdoor extravaganza will also showcase diversecultures and food, coming at a time when tourism numbers in Kenya have been plummeting due to terror attacks. The concession forcatering Kenya’s food and beverage at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival was awarded to Swahili Village, which offers rich tradition of ethnic world-class African cuisines now renowned in the US capital.
“Swahili Village Restaurant is currently officially contracted to serve the East and Central African diplomatic missions based in the Washington DC area,” said Swahili Village Restaurant owner Kevin Onyona. The festival attracts more than 1.5 million participants from the Diaspora and the international community spread across the US, who access the event for free, courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute. Cateringfor diverse and distinct clientele, the Swahili Village.
The centre-piece of the Kenya at the SmithsonianFolklife Festival is a 20-tonne carving with a theme of hands-off ourelephants by renowned Kenyan sculptor Elkana Ong’esa. It is aimed at bringing to the attention of the world the problem of poaching.
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2014 also provides an opportunity to unveil Kenya’s potential to the international community as we celebrate 50 years of independence. Various activities are scheduled to take place during the festival that will be presided over by President Kenyatta, among other dignitaries that will be present at the festival.
The event will be capped by one of the country’s most celebrated brands, Kenya’s celebrated beer Tusker, and nyama choma to be provided by The Kenyan-owned Swahili Village Restaurant.
Source- standardmedia.co.ke
Kenyan Restaurant Swahili Village Wins Bid to Supply Food at US Festival
