DAY TWO: 8th Spanish Cultural Week - Visual Arts Competition Awards Ceremony

The awarding of prizes to the winners of the VISUAL ARTS COMPETITION organised by the Embassy of Spain in Abuja in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art took place on Tuesday, 8th October 2013, at the Kaduna Mezzanine of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. Tagged " Nigerian Tribute to Lorca", the Visual Arts Competition is one of the major activities in the 8th Spanish Cultural Week.

The first prize went to Abuja-based artist Michael Onoto Ikoyi; his painting called OBSTACLES depicts his personal interpretation of a poem, Rider's Song, by Federico Garcia Lorca. "To me," says Michael Onoto Ikoyi, "the poem is about obstacles that hinder one from achieving one's dreams or goals... In my painting of the Rider's Song I tried to relate the meaning of the poem to Nigeria and how factors such as insurgency, political instability, corruption, tribalism, lack of electricity, etc. can actually lead to the failure of attaining dreams and goals. In the painting, the human figure depicts a child with dreams that he could not achieve as a result of some of the factors listed above."

His Excellency Alvaro Castillo Aguillar, Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria and ECOWAS, congratulated all the participating artists, some of whom, he said, "have been faithful to our programme throughout its 8 editions." He also wished them "a brilliant development, with the hope that this small initiative will contribute to their professional career."

The top photo posted above taken during the awards ceremony shows the winner posing with his winning entry, while the lower photos show: the Spanish Embassy's Ms Eva Barta Martin (Cultural Adviser), Mr. Guillaume Monfort (Deputy Head of Mission), and Ambassador Aguillar; the winner Michael Onoto Ikoyi with one of the guests Samantha Emetseme Aipoh; Insidetrack Editor Araceli Aipoh with Ms Barta Martin and Mr Monfort; the 2nd prize winner Sor Sen with his piece Pulse of Affection; and a cross section of the guests.

As in the past editions of this contest, the major prize for the winner is a trip to Madrid, Spain. Sponsors and collaborators of the 8th Spanish Cultural Week include the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Ormazabal, Terratest, Enyser, IBC, Iberia, Impacto, Jardin, Tiptree-Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre and Vinos Torres, the National Gallery of Art, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation as well as the Federico Garcia Lorca Foundation.

DAY ONE: 8th Spanish Cultural Week – a drama called The Shoemaker’s Wonderful Wife

The Lagos Room of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel was filled to capacity last night, 7th October 2013, for the drama The Shoemaker's Wonderful Wife, the first event in the on-going Spanish Cultural Week organised by the Embassy of Spain in Abuja. Photo above show's the cast of the play.

About the Shoemaker's Wonderful Wife (Culled from the 8th Spanish Cultural Week programme published by the Embassy of Spain)

Synopsis: A mature shoemaker marries a young and attractive girl, a marriage which, in reality none of them likes. Her desire is to tout around the neighbourhood her long list of suitors, while he laments having acceded to the union. One day the shoemaker leaves his wife. She manages to make a living working at the local bar, at which one day a local puppeteer arrives, and the he happens to be no other than the her husband in disguise…

The playwright: Federico Garcia Lorca, one of the most renowned poets our time, was born in 1898 in a small town near Granada in Spain. After having travelled much and having lived in Madrid for long intervals, Federico would remember how the local ambience of his birth place used to affect his work. According to Lorca, “I love the earth. I feel connected to it in all my emotions.” In his poems and in his dramas he reveals himself as a sharp observer of speech, of music and of the customs of Spanish rural society.

The performers: The Jos Repertory Theatre was founded in November 1997 but commenced program implementation in 2000 as a private not-for-profit independent theatre organisation based in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. It has been involved, among other activities, in training programs for artists including amateurs, the creation of theatre-for-development plays as well as the training of youths in self-employable skills. JRT is currently involved in the formation of first Arts Management Centre in Nigeria. It also presents the annual Jos Festival of Theatre and the Festival of Theatre in Abuja. Both festivals have become nurturing grounds for new playwrights, new directors as well as creating an insight into the Nigerian theatre repertory. The Jos Festival is now in its 8th season.

In Abuja: 8th Spanish Cultural Week

The 8th Spanish Cultural Week is here! It's an annual event organised by the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria which is slated for the 7th to 12th of October 2013 and will kick off with a live performance of the Spanish play “The Shoemaker´s Wonderful Wife”, written by Federico Garcia Lorca and to be performed by the Jos Repertory Theatre, on Monday October 7 at the Lagos Room of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

As this year’s edition is about to begin, we extend our hearty congratulations to His Excellency Alvaro Castillo Aguillar (Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria), Ms Eva Barta Martin (Cultural Adviser, Embassy of Spain), and the sponsors and collaborators who, according to Ambassador Aguillar, have made the annual event possible since its inception in 2006.

In a press conference attended by INSIDETRACK ABUJA held on Friday 4th of October and presided over by Ambassador Aguillar at his residence in Abuja, with the presence of Mr. Guillaume Monfort (Deputy Head of Mission) and Ms. Barta Martin, the Ambassador presented the line up of activities for the week as well as discussed the objectives of the cultural week, one of which is mainly “to bring Spanish culture closer to Nigeria.” 

We at Insidetrack Abuja are proud to announce that we have attended and witnessed nearly all of the events in the Spanish Cultural Week for the past 6 editions and can confidently say that we have enjoyed covering the events which are highly entertaining, informative and educational in nature. Meant to showcase the rich culture of Spain, there’s always something new, something exciting and something fun to look forward to each year owing to the fact that the Spanish culture is so diverse as it spans centuries of tradition and across the different regions of the country. Some of the highlights that I have personally enjoyed over the years were the adaptation of Spanish classical plays by the Jos Repertory Theatre as well as the flamenco dance show, which, at times, were performed at the Ambassador’s Residence (as a preview to the main performance at the Transcorp Hilton) giving the audience an opportunity to watch this type of dance up close and personal. 

Free entry to all the events. Below is the timetable of activities:

Monday, 7th October 2013 at 6pm (Free Entry)

Drama – The Shoemaker’s Wife by Federico Garcia Lorca

Lagos Room, Trascorp Hilton

Tuesday, 8 October 2013 at 6.30pm (Free Entry)

Awards Ceremony –Visual Arts Competition

Kaduna Mezzanine, Transcorp Hilton

Friday, 11th October 2013 at 7pm (Free Entry)

Flamenco Performance – La generacion del 80s: los nietos del 27

Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel

Monday to Saturday, 7th-12th October 2013 for the whole day (Free entry)

a) Visual Arts Exhibition at the Kaduna Mezzanine, Transcorp Hilton
b) Spanish Gastronomic Week, Zuma Restaurant, Transcorp Hilton Hotel

P.S.

Since this is a once-a-year event, the Spanish Cultural Week is not to be missed. INSIDETRACK ABUJA encourages everyone to participate in all the activities which are guaranteed to give you an opportunity to experience something unique and new.

In Abuja: First bi-annual salsa dance competition

Are you a salsa dance enthusiast?

If so, you may be interested to know that the first bi-annual salsa dance competition titled ‘Los Salseros de Casalinda’ is about to take place in Abuja. According to the organisers:

"Our mission is to inspire Salsa dancers to develop their performance skills, enhance their dance journey and show case their abilities to an open audience of current and future Salsa Lovers ‘’UNDER THE SPOT LIGHT’’. More so our goal is to promote the Arts and Cultural integration of Salsa with the Nigerian culture. If you know of any salsa dance lover please spread the word. You can also call Barbara on 08062260066 for other details."

Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt opens in Abuja

For those who love sweet frozen products, it might interest you to know that the first outlet of TUTTI FRUTTI to open in Nigeria is in fact in Abuja, precisely at Fashion Mall, 112 Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II. The photos of the outlet posted above were taken by Insidetrack Abuja recently.

According to Wikipedia:

Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt is an international retail brand of self-serve frozen yogurt. Tutti Frutti has over 100 outlets in California and other states in the US, Indonesia, Vietnam, Tahiti, and Mexico, and around the world.

Abuja Literary Society to present Night of the Spoken Word - free entry

The Abuja Literary Society presents the ALS NIGHT OF THE SPOKEN WORD, featuring the very talented poetry competition champions Lady Fex, Storyteller, Mac Father G, Dike Chukwumerije, Simon Abiodun, and many others. Lyrical music will be provided by Six Foot Plus, Mad Mo, and Ankara Boiz. (Photos above show members of the Abuja Literary in one of the literary group's recent events in Abuja.)

SPECIAL FEATURE: Appearing for the first time on the big screen will be DIKE CHUKWUMERIJE’S debut performance poetry video, directed by Reward Enakerakpor.

Date: Friday, 11th October 2013 at 7pm

Venue: Silverbird Entertainment Centre, Abuja

ENTRY IS FREE!

About ALS

ALS meets every, 1st Friday of the month at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, 7p.m; Second Friday @ Silverbird Entertainment Centre Abuja 7pm, Third Fridays @ Salamander Cafe, Abuja; BookJam holds every Last Friday of the month at Silverbird Entertainment Centre Abuja 6pm; Abuja Poetry Slam (performance Poetry competition) holds in March, June, September, and the Grand Slam will be in December. Special Guest writers will normally feature at the First Friday readings @ the Hilton. Special workshops, retreats and exchanges are part of our programmes. ALS can help you with manuscript editing ,organize a book presentation, marketing or special literary nights/events.

For more information, please contact Chinelo: 08067958680; Ken: 0803-155-2555; or Victor: 0803-311-7246.

Invitation to the Ladies International Social Club of Abuja inaugural meeting 2013

The Ladies International Social Club of Abuja (LISCOA) invites all ladies in Abuja -- who are interested in meeting new people and making new friends from different countries of the world -- to their inaugural meeting coming up on Thursday, 3rd of October 2013, at the BluCabana Resort, Mabushi. Time is at 10am and participation fee is N2000 per person, to include finger foods. 

For more information, please please contact LISCOA: abujaiwc@yahoo.com or 0803 887 8732.