Nigerian creative arts exchange berths in Paris, showcases culture

Nigerian arts and culture will take centre-stage, when the maiden edition of Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange comes alive in Paris this weekend.

The Embassy of Nigeria in France will host French business community to an exhibition of Nigeria’s finest art, cuisine, fashion, music, film and traditional games.

The platform would promote cultural exchange and diplomacy aimed at enhancing socio-economic collaborations between Nigeria and the world by developing channels for commerce between Nigeria and France.

The exhibition will take place at Le Pavilion Dauphine, Paris, Saint Clair on Saturday, May 19, 2018.

The exhibition would demonstrate Nigeria’s interest in expanding economic and cultural relations with France.

It reinforces the similar commitment expressed last year when the French Prime Minister received the Nigerian Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in Paris and previously when former President Francois Hollande attended Nigeria’s centennial celebrations in Abuja.

The sentiment is underscored by President Macron’s proposed visit to Nigeria on his first year in office to further strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria through trade and culture.

Indeed, Nigeria is France’s largest trading partner in Africa, with diversified exports spanning petroleum, pharmaceuticals, electronics and agro-allied products.  

Nigerian Ambassador to France, Dr. Modupe Irele, said, “Through the Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange we are thus creating a forum where participants can make enquiries, network and build useful links in a relaxed setting.

We invite participants to both experience the elements of Nigerian culture that will be on display, and to use the occasion to initiate conversations with representatives from the different industries which will range from fashion to pharmaceuticals, agriculture to real estate, finance to tourism, amongst others. These together represent a wide array of trade opportunities.”

The Nigeria Creative Arts Exchange is intended to beam the searchlight on other fresh trading products as it focuses on Nigeria’s rich creativity and presents a diverse display of products in the arts and the wider Nigerian culture, and it would enable the French business and the travelling public to better understand the tremendous opportunities that lie in this jewel of West Africa.

The programme is expected to feature, among its creative industry giants including Bisi Silva (acclaimed visual arts curator), Ituen Bassey (fashion), Orange Culture (fashion), Andrea Iyamah (fashion), Lanre Da Silva (fashion), Chef Tiyan and Chef Fregz (cuisine), Kemi Lala Akindoju (Nollywood) and Adekunle Gold (singer-songwriter).

The exhibition is supported by Bank of Industry, Emzor Pharmaceutical, UBA, Total, Lagos State Government, CIUC Consulting, Institut Francais, NEPC, CCI France Nigeria, SJ Tours, Aart of Life Foundation, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Media partners include Ebonylife TV, Bella Naija, Pulse NG, Channels TV, Wish Africa and Red TV.
 
In a related development and following its successful performance launch in 2009 and counting several successful performances, Fear Abides With Me Constantly makes its maiden international performance as part of activities at the first ever Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange taking place in Paris, France, on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, 2018.

Fear Abides With Me Constantly is a collection of poems written by Abioye Aronke Taiwo and edited by Toni Kan Onwordi.