•ZAMBIA’s Amaombe Cultural Ensemble mesmerising delegates at the ongoing Africa Cultural Week in Paris, France at the UNESCO Headquarters on Monday. Picture by CHIBWE CHISALA

By BRIAN HATYOKA–
THE Zambian Embassy in France has partnered with Lafarge Zambia to market Zambia’s rich cultural activities to attract more French and other tourists.
Lafarge Zambia has partnered with the Zambian Embassy in France and the Permanent Delegation of Zambia to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in sponsoring the successful participation of Zambia at the ongoing Africa Cultural Week in Paris.
The annual event, which runs from May 26 to 28, 2014, has attracted all countries that have permanent delegates to the UNESCO in and outside the continent of Africa including Zambia.
This is according to a Press statement released yesterday by first secretary in charge for economic and trade affairs at the Zambian Embassy in France Chibwe Chisala.
Apart from exhibiting its rich indigenous traditional food, Zambia’s celebrated cultural outfit, the Amaombe Cultural Ensemble mesmerised the delegates to the UNESCO Headquarters who could not resist the country’s irresistible traditional dances.
Zambia’s Charged D’ Affaires to France, Philomena Kachesa was delighted with the move by Lafarge Zambia to partner with the Embassy and permanent delegation of Zambia to UNESCO in sponsoring the successful participation at the Africa Cultural Week in Paris.
Ms Kachesa commended Lafarge adding that the positive response to her office’s request to partner with it signified the building of a strong and cordial relationship between France and Zambia in fostering national development.
She was speaking at her office shortly before the official opening of the Africa Week being held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on Monday.
Ms Kachesa said Zambia was participating actively in the 2014 UNESCO Africa Week under the theme “Education and Science for Agriculture in Africa” focusing more attention on the African Union theme which had emphasis on issues of food security on the continent.
She said the platform created an opportunity to attract more French investors to Zambia.
UNESCO deputy director general Getachew Engida said the exhibition of culture and heritage was meant to showcase Africa’s bright picture as a great reservoir of knowledge.
Mr Engida said UNESCO valued education and culture of all its member States hence its resolve to promote the spirit of interaction among all members countries through functions such as the Africa Week.