Ace Cameroonian musician, Ateh Francis who goes by the artistic name of Ateh Bazore has grasped an international award in folklore music.
Bazore won the international award in Turkey at the 2014 Gaziantep International Arts and Culture Festival, dubbed PISTACHIO, September 18 – 21.
The Cameroonian musician, also a journalist with CRTV won the best performance prize of the festival. Bazore won the distinction amongst several other performing groups that cued in from four other continents; Europe, Asia and Latin America.
His unique presentation of Cameroonian music and particularly North West folklore music landed him the superlative position amongst the hundreds of folklore legends that took part in the festival.
In his characteristic acrobatic style, Bazore held the over 50,000 spectators that turned out for the fiesta spellbound with his ‘Njang dance.’ His stage performance reportedly drove spectators fanatical so much so that by the time the festival was declared closed, Bazore could hardly have space to regain his hotel room.
“I could not believe the ambiance that immediately planted around me at the end of the show. People came hovering by me and struggling to give me a kiss,” the legendary singer told The Guardian Post last Saturday.
Bazore was also received on retreat by the mayor of Istanbul who offered him a separate prize as an encouragement reward. The mayor’s prize, going by Bazore was a special plate with his name engraved on it.
Asked how he got selected to represent Cameroon at the festival, Bazore said his selection followed criteria used by the first deputy mayor of Fongo Tongo, Jean Paul Nanfack who was the leader of the Cameroon delegation.
“I was made to understand that only musicians who practise typical folklore music were qualified for selection. It was on the bases of this that the Fongo Tongo municipality which has a twinning agreement with the city of Gaziantep selected me,” Bazore explained.
“Our North West traditional wear attracted thousands who rallied around me to at least touch it,” Bazore said.
Meanwhile, Bazore and his delegation have booked to meet the minister of arts and culture to officially present the trophy, after which public ceremonies will be organized in Yaounde and in Bamenda for a similar presentation to the public and fans.
