World Friendship Day… 33 Export excites Calabar, Lagos With City Of Friends

World Friendship Day, also known as International Day of Friendship, takes place on July 30 every year.

The original idea for a day of friendship came from Hallmark cards in the 1930’s.

Then celebrated on August 2, the day was largely viewed cynically by the public as a money making exercise, sales of friendship day cards did not take off in Europe and by the mid-1940’s the day had faded into obscurity in the USA.

However, the World Friendship Crusade, an international civil organisation that campaigns to foster a culture of peace through friendship, proposed the first edition in 1958.

But it was until 2011, that the General Assembly of United Nations declared July 30 as the International Day of Friendship.

With the growing popularity of social media throughout the world, there has been an increase in celebrating World Friendship day and International Day of Friendship online, as well as with community activities in local communities aimed at bringing those of different backgrounds together.

In Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries Plc, through it’s “33” Export brand, has unveiled plans for the maiden edition of its signature friendship event to commemorate the World Friendship Day.

Tagged City of Friends, the initiative is in line with the brand’s positioning as Nigeria’s foremost friendship beer.

Widely reputed for its strong friendship credentials, the brand has consistently deepened friendship across the nation by organising several consumer activities that seek to promote the culture and spirit of friendship and conviviality.

It has particularly taken great pride in creating unique friendship experiences for consumers across the country.

Addressing journalists on the plans in place for the event, the Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Franco Maria Maggi, said the brand is dedicated to building friendship moments.

“We believe that Friendship should be celebrated every day.

Hence, all our brand activities are geared towards celebrating friendship.

To this end, the “33” Export brand is poised to continually participate in activities that will unite us along these lines,” he said.

This year’s edition of City of Friends will, among other notable events, see the brand extend its value proposition and introduce a writing competition tagged Pen Down For Friendship, which will reward winners with training grants to study at a media and communications school in Nigeria.

The writing competition, which is only open to Nigerian Journalists and Bloggers based in Nigeria, has started accepting entries already.

Entries must be published works on any media platform both online and print. Also, entries are required to be in English with a minimum of 500 words and maximum of 1,000 words.

“While we are delighted in bringing the best in music and entertainment to Nigerians, we recognise the need to celebrate creative writing amongst our media partners.

We want the stories submitted to reflect the “Friendship” theme along with considerable mention of “33” Export Lager Beer, though participants have the liberty to choose the type of story they want to write,” said Portfolio Manager Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands Nigerian Breweries, Mr Emmanuel Agu.

A jury of 3 acclaimed writers – Anthony Kan, Pelu Awofeso and Olabisi Deji-Folutile, will judge the write-ups.

In addition to this, there will also be the City of Friends party in Lagos and Calabar, which will be an enclosed funfair, and pilgrimage of sorts for friends where great memories will be shared.

There, friends will be entertained as the brand hopes to be a part of the beautiful friendship memories that will be created on the day.

The City of Friends parties in Calabar and Lagos will hold on July 28 and 29 and August 3 and 4, in Calabar and Lagos respectively.

The Calabar venue is Municipal Gardens, while the Lagos venue is Eagles’ Club Surulere, with notable artistes such as 9ice, Kizz Daniel, Small Doctor, Alabi Pasuma, Simi, Phyno, Harrysong, Mc Gordons and Mc Shakara.