Paynesville, Liberia — Liberia’s rich cultural heritage took center stage on Saturday, August 1 as hundreds of Liberians and international guests gathered at the SKD Sports Complex for the 2026 National Cultural Festival, a vibrant celebration that blended tradition, unity and a renewed commitment to the empowerment of women and girls.
Held under the theme:, “Our Culture, Our Pride: Empowering Women and Girls,” the festival organized by ActionAid Liberia while Montserrado County served as this year’s host, attracted traditional performers, cultural troupes, government officials, development partners, women’s groups and participants from several countries.
The celebration began with a colorful street parade from ELWA Junction to the SKD Sports Complex.
Women, men, children and traditional masqueraders marched through the streets dressed in vibrant cultural attire representing Liberia’s diverse counties and neighboring countries.
The procession showcased Liberia’s rich cultural identity through traditional music, dance and elaborate costumes, drawing cheers from spectators along the route.
Inside the SKD Gymnasium, cultural performances from Grand Gedeh, Montserrado, Margibi, Gbarpolu and other counties captivated the audience with energetic traditional dances and artistic displays that reflected Liberia’s diverse heritage.
International cultural groups also entertained guests, emphasizing the importance of preserving African traditions while strengthening regional cultural ties.
Beyond the colorful performances, the festival served as a platform to highlight women’s empowerment and community development. Beneficiaries of ActionAid Liberia’s programs shared powerful testimonies of transformation, describing how support from the organization had improved their livelihoods, strengthened their confidence and expanded economic opportunities for women and girls across their communities.
One of the emotional moments of the celebration came when ActionAid Liberia honored the Embassy of Sweden to Liberia for its years of unwavering support toward women’s rights, gender equality and community development.
The presentation of gifts to Karl Backéus, Ambassador of Sweden to Liberia and Sierra Leone, drew emotional reactions from both beneficiaries and partners as the ambassador prepares to conclude his diplomatic mission in Liberia.
Delivering the festival’s keynote oration, Gbarpolu County Superintendent Sam K. Zinnah challenged Liberians to become custodians of their cultural heritage while ensuring that culture evolves to promote equality, dignity and opportunity for women and girls.
He warned that Liberia’s cultural identity is gradually fading as many young people no longer speak their indigenous languages or fully understand their traditions.
“Our culture is our history, our identity and the foundation of who we are,” Superintendent Zinnah declared. “But culture must also grow. A culture that truly represents us must protect women and girls, promote equality, and create opportunities for everyone.”
He stressed that empowering women goes beyond celebration and requires guaranteeing equal access to education, financial resources, leadership opportunities, and decision-making spaces.
“When a woman becomes economically independent, she strengthens her family, empowers her community, and contributes to national prosperity,” he said.
The superintendent also called for an end to harmful traditional and social practices that undermine the dignity and safety of women and girls, urging traditional and religious leaders to become champions of positive cultural transformation.
He further challenged Liberians to take ownership of the country’s development by protecting its natural resources, investing in education and preserving cultural values for future generations.
“Our culture should not only be displayed through dancing and ceremonies,” he emphasized. “It must become a way of life that teaches discipline, responsibility, patriotism, and respect for our national identity.”
Addressing broader national concerns, Superintendent Zinnah warned against the growing threats posed by drug abuse, illegal mining, and the neglect of children’s education, describing them as serious dangers to Liberia’s future.
He urged citizens to defend the country’s resources and reject dependency while embracing self-reliance and responsible leadership.
Also delivering a solidarity message, Swedish Ambassador Karl Backéus reaffirmed Sweden’s long-standing partnership with Liberia in promoting gender equality and women’s rights.
He noted that Sweden has consistently supported initiatives aimed at improving sexual and reproductive health rights and empowering women since becoming a development partner of ActionAid Liberia.
“When women are empowered and their rights are respected, children attend school, families become stronger and societies become more prosperous,” Ambassador Backéus said.
He rejected suggestions that ending harmful traditional practices would destroy Liberia’s culture, insisting that genuine culture preserves dignity while adapting to positive change.
“Traditions evolve,” he noted. “Liberia itself proved to Africa and the world that traditions can change when it elected Africa’s first female president. Protecting women and girls does not weaken culture—it strengthens it.”
The ambassador called on lawmakers to pass legislation banning harmful traditional practices while encouraging continued collaboration between communities, civil society organizations and government institutions to safeguard the rights of women and girls.
Representing the Superintendent of Montserrado County, a county official described culture as the foundation of Liberia’s identity and urged citizens to preserve the nation’s traditions while embracing development and national unity.
He emphasized that Liberia’s cultural diversity remains one of its greatest strengths and encouraged citizens to promote peace, tolerance and patriotism.
“As we celebrate today, let us recommit ourselves to preserving the positive aspects of our culture while making the empowerment of women and girls a national priority,” he said.
The 2026 National Cultural Festival concluded with renewed commitments from government officials, development partners, traditional leaders and community members to preserve Liberia’s cultural heritage while advancing gender equality, protecting women and girls and ensuring that culture becomes a powerful driver of national development.
More than a celebration of music and dance, this year’s festival delivered a powerful message that Liberia’s future depends not only on preserving its traditions but also on building a society where women and girls are protected, empowered and given equal opportunities to thrive.
