PANAFEST '99, the fourth Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival, opens in Cape Coast on Saturday with an expected attendance of more than 5,000 participants, making it the biggest yet in the series which started in 1992.

Running from July 30 to August eight, the festival is under the theme: "The re-emergence of African civilization: Uniting the African family: Youth - the agenda for the new millennium". PANAFEST is a biennial cultural event dedicated to the enhancement of the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the development of Africa. Being the last version before the next millennium, this year's festival assumes a broader dimension and, like the previous one, PANAFEST '97, it has been scheduled to coincide with another international event, Emancipation Day.

Participants at PANAFEST '97 experienced a rare cultural treat when it clashed with the Oguaa Fetu Afahye, festival of the people of Cape Coast Traditional area, which is one of the PANAFEST venues together with Elmina and Accra.

Highlights of the eight-day festival include a grand durbar of African chiefs and people, a three-day Pan-African colloquium, on the festival's theme. There would be special days for countries participating, a Women's Day, Visual Arts Exhibition and International Musical Concert.

More than 40 artistic groups and individuals from about 30 countries, including Ghana, the US, United Kingdom, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Nigeria, Uganda, Gambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa are expected to perform at the festival.