Calabar Carnival festival in Nigeria, also tagged " Africa's Biggest Street Party", was created as part of the vision of making the Cross River State in Nigeria, the number one tourist destination for Nigerians and tourist all over the world. The carnival which begin on every 1 December and last till 31 December has boosted the cultural mosaic of Nigeria people while entertaining the millions of spectators within and outside the State, and boosting industry for all stakeholders.
The Calabar Carnival has come a long way it all started 2004, when the governor of Cross River State,Mr Donald Duke, had a vision of making his state the hub for tourism and hospitality in Nigeria and in Africa.The Carnival presents a perfect platform from brand visibility for consumer and market awareness. "According to Osima-Dokubo, the carnival aimed to include more aspects of local heritage and culture and at the same time strengthen the capacity of the locals to participate in an economically beneficial way". Recently, Cross River State and Calabar has become the pride of Nigeria or Africa as far as tourism, carnivals and hospitality is concerned.
The programme of the event at the carnival are drafted each year by the committee in charge of tourism and cultural activities and new initiatives are introduced every year. In December 2009, Carnival Committee organized "Carnival Cup 2009", a football competition amongst the five competing carnival bands - Seagull, Passion 4, Masta Blasta, Bayside and Freedom. The Festival which also include music performance from both local and international artists, the annual Calabar Carnival, Boat regatta, Fashion shows, Christmas Village, traditional dances and the annual Ekpe Festival is a yearly events that bring in thousands of tourists at the time of the year.
Other activities lined up for the year according to their work plan, include the second edition of Essay Writing Competition which will involve both secondary school and tertiary students, and this will commence in few weeks. These competitions are aimed at resuscitating the reading culture amongst the youths of the State as well as inculcating the carnival culture.
2013 Edition of the Carnival Calabar Festival which is themed "Aint no stopping Us" which was unveiled by the Governor of the State Sen. Liyel Imoke of Cross River State says it will hit an all-time high level. Please don't miss out of this opportnity. Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, has restated that even though the annual Calabar Festival has been growing bigger every year, the 2013 edition will hit an all-time high level. a Nigerian artist rather than a foreign star, would headline this year’s event. This decision was taken following the observation by the Festival Planning Committee that Nigerian headliners consistently pull larger crowds than their international counterparts. This is a huge success and growth to the State. With Tinapa as the backdrop, and supported by Nollywood stars and major corporate sponsors, Governor Imoke made this declaration in a in world press conference in where he invited Nigeria and the rest of the world to Africa’s Biggest Street Party. Governor Imoke declared that the beauty of Nigeria is wholly expressed in the Calabar Festival and the unique brand should be jealously protected and promoted by all. He therefore used the occasion to call on the Federal Government and private sector to invest more in the creative industry, as it holds a lot for the country as regards revenue earnings.
About the Festival
The Calabar Festival is indisputably the biggest and longest multi-dimensional, multi-faceted tourism leisure and entertainment programme in West Africa. Thirty-two days of exciting events, colorful activities and unprecedented yearly participation by close to a million people from all over the world. A festive season that started at the turn of the Millennium has grown in popularity, scope and participation year in year out. Today, it is arguably Nigeria’s strongest tourism brand.
The Cross River State Government has employed this Festival/Carnival over the past years to drive its tourism efforts and provide exposure for its vast tourism sites and infrastructures such as the Obudu Ranch Resort, the Tinapa Business Resort, Marina Resort, etc.
The Festival starts with the Tree-Lighting ceremony on the 30th of November at the Millennium Parkcalabar festival, Calabar and culminates in the Thanksgiving Ceremony on 1st January of the succeeding year.
In between, there are musical concerts which have featured renowned national and international artistes like Lucky Dube (of blessed memory), Joe, Alpha Blondy, Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mtukudzi, Akon, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Chevelle Franklyn, Fat Joe, NeYo, Asa, Dabanj etc have all at one time or the other graced the Festival with their rhythms and lyrics.
There are also awareness campaigns and seminars on contemporary issues of global concerns, children Christmas Camp, Theatre performances, vocational trainings for youth, Fashion and Food Fairs, a weekend at the Obudu Ranch Resort to celebrate Africa, and so many other side attractions. Of course there is a two-day Carnival Calabar to spice up the season.
Every December, all roads lead to the beautiful city of Calabar, for the Calabar Festival, the biggest and longest multi-faceted entertainment calabar festival programme in West Africa. For thirty two days, the serene, tree-lined streets of Calabar come alive with visitors from all over the world, in an exhilarating celebration of culture, dance, music and theatre. Nigeria strongest tourism brand, the Festival features the HIV/AIDS walk, musical concerts featuring top national and international artistes, a colorful cultural parade, traditional boat regatta, Christmas village, Christmas camp for children, Food Fair, fashion shows and the Childrens Carnival.
The highlight of the Festival is the exciting and colorful Carnival Calabar. Attracting over 100,000 costumed revelers and well over a million local and international spectators, the Carnival, tagged Africa Biggest Street Party, is a unique visual display of innovation and creativity, featuring cultural influences and traditions from the past and the present in its costumes, drama, dance and music.
The seductive ambiance in the city is truly special, full of joy, camaraderie and friendship.
Festivals are an irresistible part of Cross River. They are a celebration of tradition and the ways of life of the many different communities.
Celebrations and dances are an integral part of our customs and traditions—nowhere else in Nigeria will you find such rich diversity.
Every ritual and dance communicates and teaches something important. These festivals help to reinforce the values that keep our communities together and proudly celebrate their identity.
Calabar Festival
Held from the end of November to the end of December, the Calabar Festival is undisputedly the biggest and longest multi-dimensional, multi-faceted tourism leisure and entertainment programme in West Africa. Thirty-two days of exciting events, colourful activities and unprecedented participation by over one million people from all over the world. This event has rightfully become Nigeria’s strongest tourism brand.
The 32-day event incorporates the Carnival Calabar; the Calabar Carnival Queen Pageant; the HIV/Aids Walk/Conference; an African Weekend away at the Obudu Mountain Resort; musical concerts featuring local, national and international artistes; a Cultural Fiesta; Boat Regatta; Christmas Camp for children; Children’s Carnival; Christmas Village; African Food Expo; fashion shows; film festival; Carol Night; golf and soccer tournaments; fireworks and much, much more.
The Carnival attracts thousands of costumed revellers and many more spectators, both local and international, including Nigerians who have moved abroad. It is viewed across the world via various media platforms that are partners in this awesome event, including NTA, HiTV, DStv, DaarSat and CRBC.
Destiny Child Charity Fashion Show
All proceeds go to the Destiny Child Centre:
Taking children from the streets to glory! Join the fun: at the glamorous fashion show in aid of destiny's child center (DCC), a resettlement facility for former street children, you can bid for designer pieces and change lives at the same time.
Calabar Rocked
The Calabar Rocks show was a hit! featuring stars like: Tuface, Iyanya, M.I, MC Galaxy, and many other with Julius agwu as the host of the show. If you were else where on such a night you totally missed.
Carnival Calabar makes waves once again with Psquare in town
ShoutOut to MastaBlasta band! winners of 2014 Carnival Calabar
Once again the streets were filled with Colour and dancing as the Carnival Calabar proved to be (proudly) Africas Largest street party.
Childrens Carnival in Calabar SimplyAwesome
Childrens Carnival 2014 rocked the town in full colours! Children of Cross River have done it again to prove to the world that they can dance in wonderful unison. From #Shoki to #Skelewu every year there is a dance that is famous in Nigeria, and every year our young ones rock it in colourful costumes. Filling the streets of Calabar with fun and dancing all the way.
Carnival Kings and Queens Contest!
The Carnival Calabar bands come in all their colours and creativity to compete for the winner of 2014 carnival King or Queen (Senior and Junior Category). So many beautiful costumes on display today to prepare us for what to expect on the main Carnival day on December 27th!
Enter the Christmas singing heavenly carols
Carol night with Calabar Festival is always a night to remember as Choirs and an orchestra guide us into the Christmas.
Winner for of the event were : THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHOIR!
No comments:
Post a Comment