Scaled-down music festival opens in Zanzibar

By Munira Hussein

Organisers of Zanzibar's week-long Sauti za Busara music festival decided to restrict it to just two days this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"There are musicians from only three places outside Tanzania,'' says Yusuph Mahmoud, who's running the festival, adding that it was inevitable because of the lockdowns and border closures elsewhere.

Lower visitor numbers and plenty of hand sanitisers will help to keep visitors safe, he says.

"When I got the chance to come here, I was so happy - it’s good for my sanity," says Emma visiting from Germany.

Another European traveller, Adrik from Russia, agrees: "It’s so refreshing to be traveling again. I love African music and I can’t wait for tonight."

This article was originally published by BBC News. [Photo: BBC]