WINDHOEK, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- At the Franco-Namibian Cultural Center in Windhoek, Namibia's capital, aspiring dancers moved in unison, following the choreographer's cues.
"Step to the right, swing the arm halfway, and glide down," said Shanwell Brinkman, a choreographer with the Fresh Gang Dance Crew, as hip-hop rhythms filled the space.
For Brinkman, whose passion lies in hip-hop dance, opportunities to share his skills in organized public settings have long been scarce. That changed on Saturday, when he joined dozens of creatives at the day-long event, Cultural Bazaar Namibia.
"We are hosting a dance workshop today. It is a fusion of hip-hop and Afro genres to create a welcoming energy and start offering classes in the future, which this bazaar enabled. It is thrilling," he said.
The event was organized by Cultural Agenda Namibia, a social platform for artists, and marked the group's first large-scale initiative to support local creatives and advance Namibia's arts, culture, and creative industries.
The volunteer-driven bazaar brought together about 30 artists, writers, creatives, and art-focused social movements, delivering around 50 activities. The program ranged from dance, live music, and visual arts to drama, theatre sports, yoga, wellness sessions, fashion showcases, public workshops, and exhibitions.
Beyond testing new dance lessons, Brinkman said the event allowed him to network with fellow artists and organizations, opening doors to potential collaborations and business opportunities.
"These kinds of events are very rare in our community, but they are necessary to grow the creative industry and the community as a whole," he said.
Alicia Dipierri, founder of Cultural Agenda Namibia, said the initiative was designed to strengthen the country's creative sector and improve artists' chances of securing bookings from companies and event managers throughout the year.
According to Dipierri, the arts and creative sector face several challenges, including limited access to funding and social and business obstacles.
To address one of the biggest hurdles -- the difficulty artists face in meeting decision-makers -- the organizers invited event managers and events management companies to attend, network, and explore collaboration opportunities.
"Our aim is to broaden the scope of the creative sector, promote the value of the arts beyond social talent, and highlight its economic potential in Namibia," she said.
The initiative also seeks to generate economic benefits for creatives, make art more accessible, and inspire social change.
For Jackson Karipo, founder of Art by Jackson, working in visual and digital arts allows him to bring creativity directly into public spaces, helping people connect with the stories embedded in art.
"My artwork also tells a story of economic activities in Windhoek and other social issues. After all, Windhoek is where people come to live out their dreams, and my art illustrates the bustle and hustle that make up this city," he said while sharing his creative process at the event.
For visitors, the cultural bazaar offered a rare opportunity to explore the intersection of art, culture, business, and innovation -- and to engage directly in the creative process.
"Most often, we only see the final product and do not value the work that goes into it," said Selma David, a Windhoek resident, adding that events like this help people understand what goes into creating art. ■
