Nigerians in Diaspora Organised Virtual Cultural Festival In Austria

History was made on Saturday 4th of July 2020 in the beautiful city of Vienna with the celebration of the first ever virtual Cultural Festival by Nigerians in Diaspora.
The Yoruba community in Austria “Egbe Omo Oduduwa Vienna Austria” in collaboration with the Nigerian Mission in Austria organised a virtual cultural Festival tagged Adire virtual carnival. This is first of its kind worldwide.

The yearly Adire International Carnival which is the biggest Nigerian Cultural Festival in Diaspora would have gone uncelebrated this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but the tradition was sustained by the timely intervention of the organising committee.
The event was organised in commemoration of the 60th independent anniversary of our great country Nigeria. The physical celebration of the cultural event has been postponed 2021 due to the pandemic. The date and time of the virtual event was made to coincide with the original date and time set aside for the original event.

The event which was under the distinguish chairmanship of Ambassador BB Hamman the Charge d’ affairs of Nigeria Embassy Vienna Austria was attended by many prominent Nigerians including government officials, Royal fathers and heads of government agencies.
The Ogun State government was represented by Dr Toyin Taiwo the Hon commissioner for culture and tourism.
The Nigeria Diaspora commission NIDCOM was represented by Hon Abike DABIRI-EREWA the Chairman and CEO of the commission.
The royal father of the day was the Olota of Ota Awori land Oba Prof Dr Adeyemi Obalanlege.

In attendance were Iyalode of Yoruba Land, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni DG NACCIMA, Mrs Yewande Amusan the former commissioner for culture and tourism Ogun State. Others are Erelu Tuwase from United kingdom, Amb. Wale Ojo Lanre DG Culture Ekiti State of Nigeria, Mrs Omolola Itayemi President ATTAWON, Erelu Funmi Rotiba and host of others.
Ambassador BB Hamman in his opening remarks thanked the organisers for the good initiative and appeal to Nigerians to be a good citizen and abide by the law of the land. He also appealed for unity amoung Nigerians and encourage all to keep the flag flying.

Aare Olarewaju Fagbodun the President of Egbe Omo mo Oduduwa Vienna Austria in his opening remarks thanked everyone for being part of history and for promoting the rich Yoruba and Nigeria Cultural Heritage. He further stated that “Egbe Omo Oduduwa Vienna Austria organised the event in commemoration of the Vienna Adire Carnival 2020 which would have been celebrated on the day Saturday, July 4th 2020 with activities scheduled to start from Thursday 2nd of July 2020 with Nigeria-Austria Business Forum, Friday 3rd of July with exhibition of African Mask and Masquerade Dances at the Weltmuseum Wien and culminating with the parade of our rich and elegant cultural heritage on Saturday 4th of July 2020 starting from the Nigerian Embassy in 3rd district of Vienna through the Ring in the first district of Vienna to the famous and prestigious Hofburg Palace that houses the Weltmuseum Wien”
He concluded by saying “Man proposes but God disposes! Who would have known that we will not be able to physically celebrate the carnival this year” The event has now been postponed to 23rd-25th June 2021
Both the Chairman of NIDOE Europe Austria chapter Engr Smart Ifedayo Ogunbunmi and Mag. Tajudeen Bello the President of National Association of Nigeria Community in Austria emphasised on the need for unity amoung Nigerians and appeal to all Nigerians to be of good behaviour. They also concur with the Ambassador on the need to continue showcasing our country positively.

Engineer Oluyemi Ogundele, the coordinator of the event said it was not easy to assemble so many prominent personalities together for a virtual event at this crucial time. But he thank God for making it possible and appreciated the support of all those who made it possible. He concluded by saying it shows the love and passion people have for our cultural heritage and by extension tourism and commerce.

The participants were entertained by many musicians such as Segun Michael, Obejor juju musician all the way from UK, Mutiu Ishola the European Fuji Ambassador and the magnificent drummer Ayantunde Anslem all the way from Munich Germany.

The event has now been postponed to 23rd-25th June 2021, just as the chairman of NIDOE Europe, Austria chapter, Engineer Smart Ifedayo Ogunbunmi and president of the Nigeria Community in Austria, Tajudeen Bello, harped on the need for unity amoung Nigerians and appeal to all Nigerians to be of good behaviour.