Munich to host Lagos@50 celebrations

The Yoruba Elite Club, a cultural group based in the southern German city of Munich, in conjunction with Jaiyeola Promotions will hold several events on 19-20 May to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lagos State and the Ankara, a popular print fabric worn by many Africans.

Lagos, one of Nigeria’s 36 states, was created about 50 years ago during one of the several changes to the federal structure of the country. The regional government of Lagos has been celebrating the milestone to also promote the state as a place to do business and visit for pleasure.

Lagos, with a population of around 20 million inhabitants, is not only Nigeria’s biggest city and cultural melting pot, but also its economic heartbeat.

On 19 May, an exhibition on Lagos will take place in Munich at which the opportunities for tourism, trade and investment in the state will be highlighted.

The Ankara Carnival, which aims to promote African culture, will follow the next day.

Ankara commonly known as “African prints”, “African wax prints”, “Holland wax” and “Dutch wax”, is a 100% cotton fabric with vibrant patterns. It is usually a colourful cloth and is primarily associated with Africa because of its traditional patterns and motifs.

Pieces of Ankara displayed for sale at the popular Balogun Market in Lagos. The bright printed fabric was inspired by African fashion. For this reason Ankara style is not just found in clothes but also on bags, shoes, jewelry and accessories / Photo: IFII

The event will feature a public parade of members of the Yoruba Elite Club appropriately decked in dresses made of Ankara through the streets of the Bavarian city.

The activities of the day will be rounded up with a music concert at which both Germany-based artistes and those from Nigeria will perform.

Coming from Lagos to entertain at the event are Fuji star, Adekunle Shefiu Alao, and the ace comedian/MC Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin.

Other musicians billed to perform at the Ankara Festival are Munich-based Mutiu Ishola and Tola Osumare and his juju band. Moreover, the famous German drummer Ayantunde Anselm will thrill the audience with his famed skills of singing and drumming in Yoruba.

Among the sponsors of the Festival are Reiseservice Sacco, the Rosenheim, Germany-based travel agency, Ecobank, a financial institution with a presence across Africa, and the Embassy of Nigeria in Berlin.

Guests are expected from Nigeria and from all over the Germany for the event which is taking place for the first time this year.

Sola Jolaoso

Lagos@50

Date: Friday, 19 May 2017

Time: 9am-6pm (Exhibition) & 6pm-11pm (Launching)

Venue: EineWeltHaus München, Schwanthalerstr. 80, 80336 Munich, Germany

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Ankara Carnival

Date: Saturday, 20 May 2017

Time: 5 pm- 3am

Venue: DT Tanzschul-Holding, Adolf-Kolpingstr. 10, 80336 Munich, Germany

Contact to organiser:

+4915211898224

+4915211908325

+4915214836321

Email: info@yorubaeliteclub.com

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