From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The suspended Igbere Cultural Festival is returning with a bang on January 2, 2023, three years after it has remained in the cooler as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement by the Executive Secretary of the OUK Foundation, promoters of the Igbere Fiesta, Mrs Jemimah Ola Kalu, said that all is set for the return of the iconic Igbere Cultural Festival.
The reignited cultural revelry, which showcases a retinue of fun-packed cultural activities and is being financed by the former governor of Abia State, and current Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, has as its theme, “Protecting Our Heritage and Fostering Creativity”.
According to the statement, the cultural festival focuses on projecting the rich culture of Igbere and Nigeria to the global community.
The development, Ola Kalu added has brought excitement to the locals within and outside the Igbere community who couldn’t conceal their joy over the return of the cultural festival as they look forward to savouring the experiences that come with the event just like its previous editions.
The statement reads in part: “Season 3 of the festival will be held concurrently in the 13 autonomous communities of Igbere with the foundation executives and members, the visiting team from the United States of America, and His Excellency, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu visiting the 13 communities of Igbere where the celebrations will be held.
“Every community of Igbere is expected to start preparation now as the best performing community will win the set prize. The celebration will be held on January 2, 2023 at 10:00 a.m in 13 locations”.
The statement said that those expected to grace the occasion are first-class paramount rulers, top government officials, tourists, diplomats, members of the organised private sector, and the media, among others.
The fiesta itself will feature a wide range of traditional activities such as a local boxing contest, beauty pageant, lectures, drama, dancing competition, and poetry among others while visiting tourists will be treated to warm hospitality of the Igbere people.
The first edition (2017) of the fiesta was held on January 6, 2018, with the theme, “Cultural Heritage: Vehicle for Sustainable Development,” while the 2018 edition was held on January 2nd, 2019.