By Goodluck Ikiebe
Nigerians in the United Kingdom are in for epic event as they hold second edition of Festival UK.
The organizers told our Correspondent that It is a day-long event to showcase and celebrate the cultural richness & unique heritage of Nigerians living in UK.
Last year was the inaugural event and the festival was brilliant, colourful and educational – It lived up to all expectations.
This year, the theme for the event is “Our Language, Our Heritage.”
“Conserving the cultural richness and unique heritage of our great country, Nigeria, is important to us, so we have decided to use the festival as a means to address the growing concern that some Nigerian languages may be at risk of becoming extinct.
“Nigeria is a beautiful multilingual nation with major and minor languages spreading over 250 different ethnic groups. As one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, aside from Nigeria’s three major languages – Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, which are predominantly spoken in the North, South-East, and South-West regions of the country respectively”.
Nigeria has over 500 spoken languages. Unfortunately, most of the major and minor languages have gone or are predicted to become extinct in the next 10 to 50 years.
“Our existence is deeply rooted and inspired by the need to bridge the cultural gaps amongst Nigerian/ African youths and adults who have not had the opportunity of learning the customs and traditions of their motherland due to being far away from home.
The Event is taking place on Saturday, 17th June, 2023 by 11AM – 7PM.
Venue: Vauxhall Park, Lawn Lane, London. SW8 1JY.
The organizer’s said this year’s festival will feature live music performances, cultural dance and fashion show, Art and craft stalls, food stalls, Nigerian history, tourism and African travel stalls, Business Exhibition stalls, Family & Children’s corner, Nollywood corner and lots more…
Our vision is to be the most reliable, innovative and creative organisers of the largest outdoor event gathering of Nigerians in the UK, through celebrating and showcasing the strength and beauty in our diversity, enhancing the exceptional enterprise of our people, confidence, patriotism, and resilience” they noted.
According to them, the mission is to promote and preserve Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and diversity.
To bridge the cultural gap between the several generations of Nigerians living in the UK.
“We aim to educate British-born Nigerians who may not have had the opportunity to learn about Nigeria’s culture and traditions on a first-hand basis.
To foster community cohesion by bringing people together to explore, enjoy and celebrate a unique and distinctive Nigerian way of life. To create community empowerment and enhance capacity-building.
To promote inter-racial tolerance and harmony by bringing together the different ethnic mix of people living in the host Borough and those expected to attend the festival from all around the UK and the world. In effect, through this event, we aim to correct the general misconceptions about Nigeria and indeed, Nigerians.
To bridge the cultural gap between the UK and Nigeria and contribute towards the socio-economic revitalisation of Nigeria.
To inform and educate the world about our history and enormous rich natural resources.
To showcase Nigeria as an interesting tourism destination to visit, live and invest in”, they concluded.
