MY LOVE FOR CALABAR CARNIVAL

If you could ever miss out on any event, be sure never to miss the famous and largest street party carnival in Africa- the Calabar Carnival and Festival.

The 2017 event which happened to be the 13^th edition of the carnival is an aesthetic to behold, as the major roads in Calabar were lit up with shades of flamboyant colours which are traditionally followed by soul-enriching music and entertainment.

The Calabar Carnival and Festival which has sudden grown over the years to become Africa’s largest and most successful tourist destination brand in Nigeria, has some intriguing features to reckon with:

1.      The Calabar Carnival has so far served as avenue for relaxation and fun-fare, where one could ease off all the bustling and hustling activities one encounters in everyday business and office life. You can’t imagine the exceptional excitement that follows as bands from different countries take the stage to entertain audience. Wow! It’s just a place where you get amused and forget your worries!

2.      The 2017 edition was more of a melodramatic account of the consequences of migration. The shows at the event tend to reconstruct the story of Africa, telling a very touching story as it relates to migration, to educate the youths of today that Africa still remains a place to harness their potentials; and that there is no place like home.

3.      It’s a pure cultural shows and dynamism. The Carnival offers platform for performers from across the world to thrill and entertain the audience.

International cultural dancers and drummers from various participating countries fill the audience with some exhilarating happiness with their unique and extraordinary performances.

No doubt, there are some shows of cultural affinity as well among participating countries of the world. This tends to say that culture is unique and dynamic.

4.      It’s the largest street Carnival in Africa that draws many spectators including pop stars and other top celebrities from all over the globe. As an international event, it has drawn interest from various countries like Brazil, Ghana, Swaziland, France, Italy, South Africa, Kenya, etc. hence making the streets of Calabar beehive of human activities for the one month-long event.

5.      The Carnival has also over the years proved to be a fertile platform for brand visibility and market awareness. The carnival serves as avenue for music performances from both national and international artists. It also serves as avenue for fashion shows, beauty pageant; and a good ground for business networking.