EMBU: 600 art exhibitors promised international market

Over 600 exhibitors from Embu County today participated in a County Expo to showcase various cultural artefacts, in an event aimed at marketing the county’s culture and talent.
The event that attracted participants both the young and the aged as individuals and groups was held at the various constituency headquarters of Manyatta, Runyenjes, Mbeere North and Mbeere South.
Some of the products exhibited showcased various cultures such as pottery, sculpture, carving, weaving, knitting, cooking and poetry and attracted buyers from across the country.
Embu County Deputy Governor David Kariuki who graced the occasion said exhibitors who showed uniqueness in their products in depicting the county’s culture would be linked to international market.
He said the county government will increase budgetary allocation next year so as to target more exhibitors as well as support those who make a living through art.
While acknowledging that the county has unique cultures the Deputy Governor said they were in a brink of extinction if youths continue embracing western cultures.
He underscored the need for the aged to pass knowledge of the county cultures to the new generation for the sake of continuity.
“We need to come up with programmes to strengthen our local culture so that it doesn’t become extinct. Most of our youths understand little or nothing about local foods, dressing, weaving, carving and pottery. This needs to be addressed,” he said.
The County Gender, culture, children and social services Executive member Joan Mwende said the department had established markets both locally and internationally to market for the products.
She said if such economic activities if harnessed, they would empower and uplift the living standards of a great number of people.
The CEC said such events would be organized annually to provide a platform for residents to showcase their creativity and market their culture.
She also called on the youth to embrace Vocational and Training Centres where they can be able to learn such skills to enable them come up with unique products that can attract the market.
Some of the exhibitors welcomed the move to hold such event saying it has exposed them to markets and that they have been able to learn various forms of art that they can complement with their work to come up with highly marketable cultural products.
They however called on the county government to come up with various programmes that can enable them to learn more about the county cultures.
“The county government should scrap the fee that they charge on some of us when we are doing our businesses because this killing our potential,” said John Makumi, one of the exhibitors who ventures in sculpture work.

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