By Damilola Charles
Colombia’s Honorary High Consul in Nigeria, Ms Maricel Romero, has urged Nigerians to harness their traditional heritage as a driver of sustainable development.
Romero made the call on Saturday in Abuja at the ongoing maiden Trado Pop Festival, themed “The Audacity of Culture”.
It was organised by Elevatorzng Entertainment Company.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African-centred festival seeks to blend Nigerian traditional culture with global popular culture while showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Romero said traditional heritage, when combined with innovation, could promote a more sustainable future for the dance industry.
She said she was delighted to attend the festival, noting that her years in Nigeria had exposed her to the strong connection between music, dance and cultural expression.
Romero, who was invited in recognition of her contribution to promoting arts and culture in Nigeria, commended the organisers and others working to promote traditional and popular culture.
“Having lived in Nigeria for many years, between Colombian and Nigerian cultures, I have seen many people who cannot hear music without moving.
“I am one of those. And in that, I will tell you that dance keeps us alive,” she said.
She said dance was a universal language that transcended words and urged the organisers and wider cultural community to sustain their efforts.
“The sky is the limit in Nigeria. In Nigeria, we go hard or we go home, and today we are going to go hard and we are not going home,” she said.
The festival featured cultural dances, poetry and spoken-word performances, storytelling through dance and an exhibition of Afrocentric fashion designs. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
Comments