In Abuja... Celebrating World Theatre Day today, March 27

Scenes from the Spanish play Eloise is Under an Almond Tree,
as performed by the Jos Repertory Theatre on October 8, 2012, during the
7th Spanish Cultural Week. Photos by INSIDE TRACK

The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP Abuja Chapter) will join theatre practitioners across the world in the celebration of this year's World Theatre Day, today, Wednesday 27th March, 2013.

In collaboration with the Arts & Culture Departments of the FCT Social Development Secretariat and other private theatre companies and outfits in Abuja, NANTAP Abuja have the following activities lined up:

* 10:00am: Opening Ceremony

Opening ceremony and interactive session on the theme: NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE ROLE OF THE ARTISTES, under the chairmanship of Prince Nwazuruahu Shield, the Special Adviser to the Minister of FCT on Security.

A theme talk on the above topic will be delivered by Mr. Bill Strassberger, Head of Public Affairs unit of the Embassy of the United State in Abuja.

* 12:00 - 1:00pm: War Horse Seminar

A cutting edge production seminar for practitioners, based on the War Horse, a 2011 war drama film directed by Steven Spielberg. It is an adaptation of British author Michael Morpurgo's 1982 children's novel of the same name set before and during World War I. The seminar is powered by the Open Mic Forum and will hold immediately after the brief opening ceremony.

* 5:00pm: Presentation of WTD Play and Award Night

The day will be rounded up with Arojah Royal Theatre's production of Seyi Adigun's play CALL FOR ME MY OSHENI which will be supported by The Village Square Children Theatre's presentation of a drama sketch on water and other attractions such as music and comedy.

The Highlight of the 2013 celebration of World Theatre Day in Abuja will be the presentation of AWARDS to three Nigerians who's contribution to the theatre and arts in general, both in FCT and Nigeria at large has been phenomenal. 

They include:

Dr. George Ufot
Director Culture,
Federal Ministry of Culture

Mrs. Blessing Onuh
Secretary
FCT Social Development Secretariat

Hajiya Nana Tsokwa
Director
Arts & Culture Department
FCT Social Development Secretariat

VENUE:

Community Hall, Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts & Culture, Area 10, Garki - Abuja

Invitation to Philippine Bazaar

The Embassy of the Philippines in Abuja, Nigeria, with the support of the Filipino community, is having a bazaar, featuring Philippine products, cuisine and services, as well as food and products from other Asian countries.

DATE and TIME: Sunday, September 30, 2012 – from 9am onwards

VENUE: Embassy of the Philippines, at No. 2, Kainji Street, off Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama, Abuja

OTHER ATTRACTIONS: Bingo games and raffle draw

Proceeds from the bazaar will go to charity in the Philippines and Nigeria

Philippine Embassy's annual celebration of Eid al Fitr is held at Usman Dam, in the outskirts of Abuja

At the invitation of the Embassy of the Philippines in Nigeria, INSIDE TRACK ABUJA joined several members of the Filipino community in the FCT for the annual celebration of Eid El Fitr on August 21, 2012, at the Usman Dam, about 30 minutes drive from the city centre. 

These photos were taken at the event.

BEYOND THE FRAME: Photopower Nigeria Charity Auction and Exhibition

A group of young and innovative people organised a photo auction and exhibition in Abuja recently and would like to share some of the photos (above) taken at the event which, according to them "was a huge success. The turn out was amazing and we raised so much more than we had hoped for. We would like to thank all those who came out and showed support, most especially people that participated in the auction and donated for our cause."

Get to know more about PHOTOPOWER at www.photopowernigeria.blogspot.com

BEYOND THE FRAME: Photopower Nigeria Charity Photo Auction and Exhibition

A photo exhibition is taking place at the Thought Pyramid Gallery, Abuja, starting this Friday, August 20, at 1pm. Scroll down for more details...

Photopower Nigeria is a volunteer and charity initiative to empower youth through the use of photography. The pilot project of this initiative worked with the Hope for Survival Orphanage Gishiri Abuja. The initiative worked with 15 teenagers (15 to 19) who were taught to express themselves through photography. The exhibition will showcase work by these teenagers and raise funds for their orphanage as well as awareness.

Date: Monday, 20th August 2012
Time: 1:00pm
Venue: Thought Pyramid Art Gallery 62 Parakou Crescent Opp Hotel Dabras/Mr Biggs Wuse 2 Abuja

Signed,

Queen Nwokonneya
Operating Officer

Oginigba - a story by Jide Atta

Jide Atta, at the Abuja Literary Society
reading held on May 25, 2012, Silverbird  
Entertainment Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.
Photo by Araceli

Oginigba 

-a story by Jide Atta

They came at dawn. I should know. I was awake gathering my nets and preparing to go out on the days fishing trip when I heard the noise. I heard them before I saw them. There were lots of them. They were jumping out of the gunboats before the boats even reached the shore. I turned and ran. There was only one thought in my head, my grandmother, and my cousin Ebi. 

I knew who they were, I had seen them before. The whole village had seen them before. But they normally didn’t come this way. Normally it would be the helicopters, then the trucks. There were never any boats, and they were never this many of them. Something was different this time, I could sense it.

I was close to our home when the gunshots began.

What was going on this time? What had we done wrong this time? How come our small village of mostly fishermen and palm wine tappers had to bear the brunt of the so-called struggle for our freedom? And then it struck me! Tiemo! This invasion must have had something to do with his surprise arrival three days ago. He looked haggard with long, dirty and unkempt dada.

Tiemo, my cousin, who caused the most pain to my grandmother. Youthful, handsome Tiemo who the old folks said brought bad luck to his parents. His mother died while giving birth to him and, a week later, his father surprisingly fell from a palm tree. As a little boy, he was always the leader of the gang, dictating what prank to pull and on whom.

There was this particular incident when we were given the beating of our lives, courtesy another Tiemo prank. Tiemo had become fascinated with the village shrine and on the eve of the ashi festival decided we should relocate the totem. Yes, I was terrified but I was excited about being able to touch that totem we only saw in public during the festival, but which we had been seeing during our regular trips to spy on the shrine. We took the totem, when the chief priest went into his shack with Pa Willy’s new wife. They always went into that shack three four times daily. Tiemo had one time gotten close enough to peep into the shack and came back giggling, refusing to tell us what he saw, insisting that we were still kids. 

We hid the totem in Olotu’s hut. He was the village drunk, and we were sure no one would suspect our involvement. 

We were wrong. 

I had always heard that palm wine tappers saw everything and knew everyone’s secret. Well, we had no idea that Papa Preye saw us, followed us to Olotu’s house and went to tell our grandmother. We didn’t know why we were beaten that way by mama. We didn’t think it could possibly have had anything to do with the totem. Mama is a very strong woman. With one hand she held on to Tiemo and me, and with the other administered continuous series of slaps with such dexterity that, if Ikopu the village drummer had seen her, he would have turned the colour of rotten fish with envy. 

That was the Tiemo I grew up with, at least until Abigail. I wonder how or when he saw her, but that was Tiemo. It was said that he had eaten a dog’s legs, because he was always up and about. Something about him changed. He began to pay a little more attention to himself. He even started combing his hair! This was Tiemo who always wanted to have dada like Majek Fashek the musician. 

Everyone in the village knew them, Tiemo and Abigail, always walking hand in hand everywhere they went. She changed Tiemo, made him less of a prankster. She also separated him from me and the rest of the gang, and I resented her for it. I and Tiemo were brothers. Who was this girl with whom he would rather spend time with than hang with us?

Then it happened. 

No one claims to know how it started. But we knew that suddenly oil – black and smelly like when palm kennel fell in dying fire – was leaking from the pipelines that ran behind the village school toilet and from the stand below our rickety makeshift jetty. That jetty is over fifty years old. The oil company had promised to build one since over forty years ago, before I was born. It was the immigration point from our village. Everybody that came and went from the village by sea had to go through it. Legend has it that after the oil company that laid the pipeline had built a rack stack for the pipes that they used, people converted it to a meeting place for discussing happenings between the workers and fishermen. One by one, each would bring a frond of palm or any piece of driftwood or metal pipe remnant and connect to the stack against the rack. The rack kept getting higher as the tide gradually ate below it and took residence deeper and deeper along the shoreline. I always wondered how one could walk for almost a mile out in to the sea and the water would only be chest deep at most. For us, we would use it as a diving place. Our tiny feet scrambling up and then, posing like Eupele, our African Games champion from the village, we would dive into the sea amidst squeals of laughter from the smaller kids who would only watch with admiration. That is how it became the commanding point for the leader of the pack that arrived in boats that day. 

People could not fish, could not farm, and nothing could be done. Emissaries were sent to the oil company, but weeks later, the oil was still leaking. The fishermen and the farmers decided to go to the company’s camp to protest and get them to do something about the leaking oil. I went with them that day. I was excited. My life had been boring without Tiemo but here was a chance to get some fun. 

When mama heard that I was with the protesters at the oil company camp, she sent Tiemo to come and drag me home. As usual, Abigail followed him. 

The oil company camp looks very different from the rest of our village, barbed wire fences, floodlights, well cut grasses, paved roads. I overhead one of the men from the village saying this was how America looked like. We all believed him. Even the smell of the place was different from the one that came all the time from the water just over the copse of palm trees and washed our village. The man said that they sprayed perfume in the air all the time and that the gods loved to sit just on the other side of the fence in the European quarter. I dreamt of America. 

There were armed men at the gate who refused us entry and ordered us to turn back. Some of the village men started turning away. Was this why I had come? To be turned away like a leper? I wanted some excitement; I wanted to smell a bit of America a bit longer. So I picked up a stone and threw at the guards, then they started shooting. 

I was shocked, and filled with fear. I started running. I hadn’t run too far when the shooting stopped. I turned and I froze at what my eyes beheld! I saw Tiemo covered in blood, screaming. He was sitting on the ground holding Abigail as she lay covered in a pool of blood. I walked in trepidation towards him and stopped. All around, men of the village were wailing, some were injured, most looked dead. Was it guilt, was it cowardice, what was it? I couldn’t tell, but I couldn’t bear the sight either. I turned and ran.

That was ten years ago. 

Tiemo disappeared after then and we never saw or heard from him until three days ago. Of course we had heard some stories. We had all heard of Commander T. 

As I got to the house, the soldiers were there already, and they were pushing mama, Ebi and everybody from their houses to the village square. I joined the line and walked there with them. 

A man who seemed to be in command was pacing angrily as we got to the square. He spoke into a radio briefly then picked a megaphone, turned and faced us all. Where is Tiemo? 

I froze! 

(To be continued)

Editor's Note: Jide Atta is a strategy consultant with bias in operations. He has been a member of the Abuja Literary Society for years where he has anchored many of its programs. He has a life long mission to mentor creativity in all forms.

21st June 2012 is World Music Day: Celebrations in Lagos and Abuja (Free Entry for all)

IN LAGOS

Goethe-Institut Nigeria, together with Alliance Française Lagos and Bristish Council Lagos, invites you to the World Music Day 2012.

Date: Thursday, 21st of June 2012, beginning at 5 pm

Venue: The New Afrika Shrine, 1 Nerdc Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos (FREE ENTRY)

Musicians from Europe and Nigeria would render melodious jazz, pop and indigenous music during the evening. The highlight of this musical event is a performance by the German Jazz band ‘Hyperactive Kid‘. Registered guests would also have the opportunity to perform during the open mic session. Towards the end of the concert there will be a jam session among the musicians.

IN ABUJA


On Thursday, 21st of June at 8pm, the French Institute will celebrate the International Day of Music with concerts of King Faji, the Speed Band and other pop singers. This year's theme is 'The Pop Years'. On that occasion everybody is invited to come dressed up as 60s or 70s style. A professional photographer will be there to take pictures of you if you wish. When the concert is finished, a dj will continue playing music until late in the evening!

Entrance is free and open to all. Don't hesitate to share this info with your friends!

Furthermore the Institute is hosting the festival of Barclays Ayakoroma's Plays until Saturday night (Plays every evening at 6pm. Gate fee: 2000 NGN adults, 1000 NGN students, 500 NGN for children). See details below.

And as always the Institute is screening a French movie with English subtitles every Friday!

A busy French month!

The French Institute is located at 52 Libreville Street, off Aminu Kano, Wuse 2, behind M. Biggs or visit their website www.institutfr-nigeria.org.

Arojah Royal Theatre invites you to a six-day feast of theatre tagged the Festival of Barclays Ayakoroma’s Plays (FESTIBAP 2012)

FESTIBAP will feature three of Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma’s plays over a period of six days. This includes Castle in the Air, Beyond the Camp and Dance on His Grave, with each play running for two days. So, if you a lover of good dramatic piece, this promises to be a treat.

VENUE:

French Cultural Centre, 52 Libreville Street, off Aminu Kano Crescent (By Mr. Biggs), Wuse 11, Abuja.

TIME: 

6pm prompt daily.

GATE FEE:

N2000 (Adults), N1000 (Students & Corpers) and N500 (Children) for the plays which will show as follows:

DATES:

Tuesday 12 & Wednesday 13th June - CASTLE IN THE AIR

Thursday 14th & Friday 15th June - BEYOND THE CAMP

Saturday 16th - DANCE ON HIS GRAVE

Tickets are available at the following outlets:

French Cultural Centre – Ask for Matilda

52 Libreville Street, off Aminu Kano Crescent

(By Mr. Biggs), Wuse 11, Abuja

Korean Cultural Centre – Ask for Nike

2nd Floor, Rivers House

Ralph Shodeinde Street

Opposite Ministry of Finance

Central Business District, Abuja

Payless Supermarket

Sultan Dasuki Street

Cupid Road, Phase 2, Site 2, 

Kubwa Abuja

The Booksellers Ltd

Ground Floor, City Plaza

Ahmadu Bello Way

Garki II, Abuja

* Discounts available for early and bulk bookings

RSVP/Enquiries: 0818 200 5597 or arojahtiata@gmail.com

The festival, which is one of three of such planned for the 2012 theatre, is designed for use as a test run for the outfit’s plan for the 1st ever Abuja International Festival of Theatre scheduled to hold in March 2013.

International Community School Bazaar 2012

International Community School's (ICS) annual bazaar and food fair was held at the ICS playgrounds on May 12, 2012. The event took place from 10am to 5pm. A raffle draw was one of the highlights, as well as lots of games for children and a variety of food stalls to choose from.

These photos were taken by INSIDE TRACK ABUJA.

Nigeria Now Art Fund Launch, featuring Alimi Adewale and others- June 9 at 4-9pm

If you are an art lover, you may want to check the launching of NIGERIA NOW ART FUND, taking place on the 9th of June 2012, from 4pm to 8pm, at 34 Limpopo Street, Maitama, Abuja.  Free entry, but RSVP is required for security list. Contact the organizers at 07061672622 or 08056409413.

"The idea behind Nigeria Now Art Fund in simple. Nigeria artist need more places to display, share and sell their work. They also need support to participate in Art expos and exhibitions outside of nigeria, and to develop, learn and collaborate with others. Without this support it is very hard for emerging talents to grow, experiment and take their place in the international art world. We are looking for your support now!" - The organizers.

National Day of Norway

A reception to mark the National Day of Norway was held here in Abuja on May 16, 2012.

It was hosted by the Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria, His Excellency Kjell Lillerud.

In a short remarks during the occasion, which took place at the Ambassador's residence, H.E. Lillerud said that this would be the last reception he'd be hosting as he  and his wife, Mrs. Ingrid Lillerud, will be going back to Norway for good, after having stayed in Nigeria for three years.

 These photos were takes at the reception by INSIDE TRACK ABUJA.

Institut Français hosts literary festival, children's day, drama workshop and more...

The Institut Français in Nigeria invited the general public to “A Vous de Lire” (For You to Read), an annual celebration of books and readings, held on the 24th to the 26th of May, 2012, at the French Institute (a.k.a French Cultural Centre) in Abuja.

In collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) - Abuja Chapter, The Abuja Literary Society, Cassava Republic Press and Arojah Royal Theatre, the Institut Français presented three days of literary-themed events for the whole family, with the aim of promoting a love of reading and writing in Nigeria.

In celebration of Children’s Day, the Institute also hosted a special series of programmes for children on the 24th and 25th of May. The events culminated on Saturday 26th May in a drama workshop for invited schools at the Institute and a representation by the French School of Abuja of some scenes from the French play ‘l’Avare’ by the famous classic author Molière.

For youngsters, there was also a Children’s Fair hosted by Cassava Republic Press on Saturday, 26th May, at shop, No. 62b in the Arts and Crafts Village, Opposite the Abuja Sheraton from 12 noon to 6pm

The French Institute is located at 52, Libreville Street, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja (behind M. Biggs).

European Film Festival in Abuja 2012 - opening night, speech by Ambassador MacRae, and movie schedule

The 2012 edition of the European Film Festival in Abuja opened with a Cocktail Party on 10th May 2012 at the Silverbird Entertainment Centre. It was followed by a screening of the first movie from Denmark entitled Babette’s Feast – a touching but humorous tale of a woman who finds joy in cooking. 

A total of 26 films will be screened from May 10 to 23, 2012, two each night (except on the first and last days) at 6:00PM and 8:00PM. (Scroll down for the complete timetable of the line up of movies to be shown.) As in the previous editions of the festival, there will be a raffle draw where movie goers will have a chance to win a round trip ticket to Europe from one of the sponsors, AIR FRANCE KLM.

ADMISSION IS FREE. 

================


SPEECH BY THE HEAD OF EU DELEGATION TO NIGERIA, AMBASSADOR DAVID MACRAE, AT THE OPENING COCKTAILS FOR THE 5TH EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL IN ABUJA ON 10 MAY 2012

His Excellency Ambassador David MacRae,

Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, 

at theOpening Night of the European Film Festival in 

Abuja, held at the Silverbird Entertainment Centre 

on 10th May 2012 (Photo by Inside Track Abuja)

"Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

"I welcome you to this cocktail which flags off the Fifth European Film Festival in Abuja.

"The European Union Delegation to Nigeria, the EU Member States and the Embassies of Switzerland and Serbia, are jointly presenting a brand new taste of European culture and its people to the Nigerian audience through this film festival. The European Film Festival has now become a permanent feature on our calendar as part of activities to mark celebrations of Europe Day 9 May.

"Culture serves as a bridge between nations and peoples. In Nigeria and Europe people share the same passion for cinema. Movies are – as you know – universal and we can irrespective of background find common grounds in the artistic world, to share experiences and emotions that define our common humanity.

"We have been encouraged by the success of the previous editions and we are convinced that this year’s will be even more entertaining. Last year, 20 movies from different countries of Europe were shown to a large, appreciative Nigerian audience. This year we will show 25 films from Denmark, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Poland, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. More films and more participant countries than never before. The Film Festival which begins today, May 10 – after this cocktail – and will run for 14 days to end on 23 May. Two movies will be shown per day.

"This year’s edition will also extend to other Nigerian cities, namely Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Jos so that those residing in these cities can be a part of the thrill which it has come to represent.

"I would like to thank everybody that has believed in this initiative and has made it possible: the EU Member States, Switzerland and Serbia who have provided the movies, EU Delegation, and our sponsors: Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers who sponsors this cocktail, Air France-KLM, Setraco, Dana Air, Nokia, Zenith Bank and Fresh Network.

"Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends, I would like to invite you tall to watch with us and enjoy this Film Festival. And now, please join me in raising a glass to the success of the 2012 European Film Festival.

"Thank you."

Timetable - 2012 European Film Festival in Abuja

FREE ADMISSION

Thursday, May 10, 2012

8:00PM: Babette’s Feast (DENMARK)

The chef Babette flees France after the Paris Commune uprising of 1871. She is taken in as a housekeeper in the poor fishing village home of two puritanical spinsters who consider food beyond oatmeal almost sinful. When Babette by chance comes into money, she blows it all on serving up the ultimate gourmet meal for the dazed villagers. The film is based on a short story by Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen). Babette’s Feast was the first Danish film ever to win an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and was show in Un Certain Regard in Paris. (DRAMA)

Friday, May 11, 2012

6:00PM – Albert Schweitzer – Anatomy of a Saint (AUSTRIA)

Albert Schweitzer is a modern day saint of the 20th century, the Peace Nobel Prize laureate who created the concept of Reverence for Life. He was one of the few universal geniuses, excelling as theologian, philosopher, musician, medical doctor, and development worker, and one of the first campaigners against nuclear warfare and forefather of the ecological movement. This film discovers the person behind the public image with the ultimate goal to find the relevance he holds for our world today. (DOCUMENTARY)

Friday, May 11, 2012

8:00PM – Ben X (BELGIUM)

Ben is mildly autistic and a sitting duck for the school bullies. He wants to cry out his hurt to his tormentors and all the silent bystanders. Inspired by his mystery girl on the web and fuelled by his signature video game, he takes revenge. In their faces. (DRAMA)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

6:00PM – Kooky (CZECH REPUBLIC)

When asthmatic, six-year –old ONDRA is forced to throw away his scruffy, sawdust-stuffed old teddy bear, KOOKY, he prays for the safe return of his furry friend. Soon afterwards, across toWn, Kooky is about to be crushed in a rubbish dump when he suddenly comes to life, making his escape into a mysterious forest. The naive, cuddly Koody needs help to survive amongst the rough-and-ready creatures of the forest and he find it when he meets the crotchety forest guardian HERGOT. (COMEDY, FAMILY, CHILDREN)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

8:00PM – Letters to Santa “Listy do M.” (POLAND)

Letters to Santa is a Polish box office hit with 2 500 000 admissions. The film shows a new dimension of a romantic comedy where behind hilarious scenes there’s deeper universal truth. Letters to Santa is an enchanting story taking place on this special day of the year when five men and five women in their slightly tangled lives are truly finding out that there’s absolute no escape from love and Christmas. (COMEDY, DRAMA, ROMANCE)

Sunday, May 13, 2012

6:00PM – Moomins and the Comet Chase (FINLAND)

One day Moomintroll notices that something strange has happened in the Moomin Valley – everything is grey, not just the sky and the river, but the trees, the ground, and the Moominhouse too! Moomintroll runs to ask the well-read Muskrat if he knows what is happening. Muskrat declares that this is the way things tend to look before the earth faces an awful fate coming from the sky. (FAMILY / ANIMATION)

Sunday, May 13, 2012

8:00PM – Andalucia (FRANCE)

Yacine is a young Frenchman of Maghribian descent who lives in the outskirts of Paris. He dreams of escaping his world and travelling to Andalusia. Yacine lives life on the edge, between neighbourhood struggles and life experiences in a large city, the contradictions between immigration and the need to grow and find his own destiny. In his world, there is also room for love, which he finds to be riddled with problems. Yacine is on a journey to self-discovery in this world that he wishes to leave behind. His endless search leads him to Andalusia, the place he has dreamed of, the origins of his culture, the Mediterranean. (COMEDY / DRAMA)

Monday, May 14, 2012

6:00PM – The Educators (GERMANY)

Tjan and Peter share a flat in Berlin, a Volkswagen bus, and ideas on how to take action against the social injustice in the world. They spy on luxury mansions and break in when the owners are not at home. They don’t steal anything, instead they re-arrange the furniture and leave what they hope are unsettling notes, such as “You have to much money” or “Your days of plenty are numbered”, and sign themselves as “The Edukators.” Peter’s girlfriend Jule has just lost her flat because she fell behind with the rent, and moves in with Peter and Jan. (FEATURE FILM)

Monday, May 14, 2012

8:00PM – Inside I’m Dancing (IRELAND)

When the kinetic Rory moves into his room in the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, his effect on the home is immediate. Most telling is his friendship with Michael, a young man with celebral pasly and nearly unintelligible speech. Somehow, Rory understands Michael, and encourages him to experience life outside the confines of home. (COMEDY / DRAMA)

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

6:00PM – Il Vento fa il Suo Giro (The Wind Blows Round) (ITALY)

The aging conservative population of a small, sleepy village in the Italian Alps are surprised to see that a former French professor has settled there with his young wife and their children to produce goat cheese, in order to escape the wrongs of civilization. At first the villagers are suspicious of their unconventional ideas and lifestyle, then are conquered by the enthusiasm, kindness, helpfulness of the young family and start to see in them the possible rebirth of the place. But little by little, misunderstanding, envy and conflicts take over. (DRAMA)

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

8:00PM – The Dinner Club (NETHERLANDS)

A woman tries to save her self-respect and marriage despite the sinister pressure from the dinner club she once adored. Karen (32) and Michel (36) move with their daughter to an exclusive residential area. She soon finds a new close circle of friends: the women of the dinner club, and their husbands. But when two of the club members commit suicide under suspicious circumstances, Karen starts to have second thoughts about her new friends. She has to choose: will she reveal the truth and dish the dirt, or will she protect the interests of the dinner club? (THRILLER)

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

6:00PM – The Winner (POLAND)

Oliver (Pawel Szajda of Under the Tuscan Sun), a young, outstanding American pianist having breach his European tour contract has to return 250,000 euros to the German organizers. On his path he encounters in Poland an unusually vibrant character Frank, and old pensioner who gambles at horse races. They pursue this goal together, discovering real friendship and making dreams about a great winning and personal freedom come alive. But Prof Karloff, a famous pianist and influential man, cannot agree with that. He puts devil’s proposition to Oliver. (DRAMA)

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

8:00PM – Orient Express (ROMANIA)

At an old age, Prince Andrei Morudzi retreats to his castle in Romania, during the two World Wars, after having led an eventful youth. There he is seen upon as a rare bird by the local folks, due to his strange attitude towards life and his exquisite manners, which don’t fit in the way of life of the villagers. But, in the end, despite trying to distance himself for the local people, he can’t but influence their humble existence. (ROMANCE / DRAMA)

Thursday, May 17, 2012

6:00PM – Besa (Oath) (SERBIA)

At the very beginning of the first World War, Filip, a Serb and the principal of a gymnasium in a small Serbian town, is summoned urgently to Belgrade to serve in the war effort. He has no one to leave his wife, Lea, with. She is a young and pretty Slovenian, a teacher of dance he met while studying in Western Europe. (DRAMA)

Thursday, May 17, 2012

8:00PM – Camino (SPAIN)

Inspired by real events, CAMINO is the emotional adventure of an extraordinary eleven-year old who is faced simultaneously with two completely new situations in her life: falling in love and dying. Above all else, CAMINO is a radiant light that shines through every gloomy obstacle in her path, denying every attempt to shroud in darkness her desire to live, to love, and to feel the depth of her happiness. (DRAMA)

Friday, May 18, 2012

6:00PM – Let the Right One In (SWEDEN)

A fragile, anxious boy, 12-year old Oskar is regularly bullied by his stronger classmates but never strikes back. He befriends a mysterious young girl whose appearance in town suspiciously coincides with a horrifying series of murders. Oskar soon realizes that Eli is a vampire. She cannot stand the sun and to come into a room she needs to be invited. Eli gives Oskar the strength to hit back but when she realizes that she needs to drink other people’s blood to survive, he is faced with a choice. (DRAMA / FANTASY)

Friday, May 18, 2012

8:00PM – To Live Longer (SWITZERLAND)

They both have three months to live, at the most. Max Wanner needs new liver, Fritz Pollatschek a new heart. Only an organ transplant can save them. But how can two men roughly 70 years old become recipients of a donor organ? The arrangement is simple: whoever dies first donates his organ to the other. A crazy and comic friendship develops between the two men that, in the end, leads to a solution for both of them. (COMEDY)

Saturday, May 19, 2012

6:00PM – Storm Bound (NETHERLANDS)

A ripping adventure yarn about teenage boys who join the crew of a ship of the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century. After a dramatic shipwreck and escape from an attack by natives, they must make their way to safety by themselves. (FAMILY / ADVENTURE)

Saturday, May 19, 2012

8:00PM – Oxygen (BELGIUM)

Suffering from an illness that is slowly destroying his lungs, Tom struggles with his short life expectancy and hangs out with petty criminals. Enter his hospital neighbour Xavier who suffers from the small illness but behaves like an athlete and infuses Tom with optimism. Tom enjoys his new friend and finds love with a quirky girl Eline. But when Tom’s brother dies during a lung transplant, he is devastated and breaks away from Xavier and Eline. (DRAMA)

Sunday, May 20, 2012

6:00PM – Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (FINLAND)

In the depths of Korvatunturi mountains, 486 metres deep, lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up. (FANTASY / ACTION / COMEDY)

Sunday, May 20, 2012

8:00PM – It’s a Jungle Out There (GERMANY)

After an argument with her father, 17-year old Anna spontaneously leaves her parents’ house in a provincial town in Bavaria and hitches to Munich to take part in a casting. While her parents drive to the city in search of their daughter, Anna has her first unpleasant encounters with members of the opposite sex. Both sides are wiser by the time Anna returns home the next morning. A funny film on the difficulties of growing up. (COMEDY)

Monday, May 21, 2012

6:00PM – You Are So Beautiful (FRANCE)

Ayme’s wife recently died in an accident at the farm. He’s overcome not by grief, but farm work; he can’t handle it alone. He must absolutely find another wife, but in his village it’s not an easy task. He therefore decides to seek help from a marriage agency. Understanding that his need is spurned by practical rather than emotional reasons, the bureau’s director sends him to Romania, where numerous young women are eager to be his wife so that they can start a new, more prosperous, life in France, making a useful contribution to French society as actors, singers and dancers. (COMEDY / DRAMA)

Monday, May 21, 2012

8:00PM – Cento Chiodi (One Hundred Nails) (ITALY)

One Hundred Nails emphasizes the need to return to the simple life and the joy of commonly shared friendships to counter the strident consumerism of our age. An Italian professor of philosophy seeks refuge in the quiet, peaceful ruins of a peasant house on the banks of the Po River after turning his back on his profession. Before leaving he nails 100 precious manuscripts to the floor with the type of heavy spikes used to nail Jesus Christ to the cross in Biblical literature. (COMEDY)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

6:00PM –We Shall Be Overcome (DENMARK)

Thirteen year-old Frits has fallen out of favour with the headmaster of his school. The year is 1969. The world is changing rapidly, and corporal punishment has been banned. The tyrannical headmaster however has not bothered to notice. Frits spends his summer holidays in front of the family’s first television and in influenced by the winds of change. When the headmaster steps over the line, Frits takes up battle against the authorities. (FAMILY)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

8:00PM – God Bless You (SERBIA)

Belgrade, Serbia, 1930. The story follows eleven passionate, mostly anonymous, but very talented soccer players and their journey from the cobblestone streets of impoverished Belgrade neighbourhoods to the formation of the national team before the very first World Cup in faraway Uruguay. (DRAMA)

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

8:00PM – Chico & Rita (SPAIN)

Cuba, 1948. Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unite them, but their journey in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero, brings heartache and torment. From Havana to New York, Paris, Hollywood, and Las Vegas, two passionate individuals battle impossible odds to unite music and love. (ANIMATION)

Embassy of Spain celebrates World Book and Copyright Day at the Ambassador's residence

The Embassy of Spain in Nigeria celebrated this year’s World Book and Copyright Day (marked annually at the Spanish Embassy) with a presentation of the book New Trees in an Old Forest by the author, Mr. Jess Castellote, and awarding of prizes to the winners of the Spanish text competition, followed by cocktails. 

The World Book and Copyright Day was held at the Ambassador’s residence on April 23, 2012. 

Joining the Ambassador of Spain, H.E. Álvaro Castillo Aguilar,  Miss Eva Barta Martin (the Cultural Adviser – Embassy of Spain), and Mr. Jess Castellote (a Spanish architect living in Lagos and a blogger,  you can visit him at http://jesscastellote.wordpress.com), were Dr. Olu Ehiz Ayewoh, representing the Federal Ministry of Education; Mr. Joseph Ngu, Director, Regional Representative UNESCO; Mrs. Awofisayo Olufunke, representing the Federal Ministry of Education, and many other distinguished guests.

These photos were taken at the event by INSIDE TRACK ABUJA.

Embassy of Greece celebrates National Day with a concert, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel

The Embassy of Greece in Nigeria celebrated the Hellenic National Day with a Piano Quintet, held at the Lagos Room of the Transcorp Hotel, on March 25, 2012. 

According to the Greek Ambassador, “This is the third year in a row that the Greek Embassy organizes a concert of Classical Music on the occasion of honouring the Hellenic National Day. 

“Again, this year, we focus on Chamber Music: this form of Classical Music which is characterized by its intimate nature is called “the music of friends”. As Goethe has put it so correctly (particularly for the String Quartet music) there are “four rational people conversing”. However, performing chamber music requires special skills, both musical and social, which are more demanding, in their totality, than those for playing solo or symphonic works.” 

The Ellemis piano quartet was created by four soloists (Stella Tsani – violin; Mikhail Smirnov – viola; Lefki Colouvou – cello; and Elena Chounta – piano) who had cooperated with each other several times in the past, but never simultaneously, until, in 2002, a concert at the University of Patras and its success became the springboard for the creation of a chamber music ensemble.” (Culled from a publication from the Embassy of Greece.) 

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic community in Abuja as well as from the government and private sector.