STORY: Namibian artists thrive through biodiversity economy initiative, cultural heritage preservation
DATELINE: Oct. 7, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:23
LOCATION: Windhoek
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the exhibition in Windhoek
2. SOUNDBITE (English): CHIRON BYL, Artist from Spitzkoppe, Erongo region, Namibia
3. various of the exhibition in Windhoek

STORYLINE:

An exhibition titled "Ombonde-Hoanib Landscape" at a local gallery in the Namibian capital of Windhoek opened on Thursday evening, showcasing local artworks created under the Biodiversity Economy initiative.

The exhibition focuses on the Ombonde-Hoanib landscape of conservation areas in the Erongo and Kunene regions.

The Ombonde-Hoanib People's Landscape is a joint initiative aimed at connecting core conservation areas across about 40 conservancies spanning 78,000 square km. This vast area boasts remarkable tourist attractions, including Twyfelfontein, Namibia's first world heritage site.

Chiron Byl is an artist from Spitzkoppe in the Erongo region.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CHIRON BYL, Artist from Spitzkoppe, Erongo region, Namibia
"This program indeed has a very positive impact. It is to sustain our livelihood because in the village that I am coming from, there is a lot of poverty going on. It contributes a lot because when the tourists are coming they like to see new things, even an animal is unique for them. That is why they are so much interested. Mostly they concentrate on the animals and even with the wood carving you cut out an elephant that is like ... wow for them."

According to local research firm Simonis Storm Securities, the local tourism industry contributes about 32 billion Namibian dollars (about 2 billion U.S. dollars) to Namibia's economy. As Namibia's landscapes continue to attract visitors, the artists involved in this initiative are optimistic that it will propel their endeavors to new heights.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Windhoek.
(XHTV)