Become a member of the Emerson Foundation to keep “Babu’s” legacy alive. 

The longer I’m here the less I understand it”, these words were among the last of a man who knew Zanzibar and his beloved Stone Town probably better than anybody else. Emerson Skeens passed away ten years ago at the age of 65 but the legacy of the charismatic New Yorker lives on.  A cultural foundation started in his name in 2014 is now accepting new members. 

Skeens was first to recognise the tourism value of Stone Town when, in the early 1990’s, he opened the hotels Emerson on Hurumzi and Emerson Spice, still the most authentic icons here. Babu, as many called him, was co-founder of the Busara Music Festival,  the Dhow Countries Music Academy and the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) among others.

Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation has kept up the cultural engagement in his name, handing out yearly awards for music, film and visual art. For the 10-year-anniversary of Emerson’s passing artists joined for a live concert. Anybody interested in supporting arts and culture in Zanzibar can now join the membership organisation with several benefits in hotels and restaurants.                  L. Beetstra

Information: foundation@

emersonzanzibar.com