Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival is back sends welcome signals to viewers, admirers and listeners alike that the event will hold. The 2018 edition of the decade-old global event sponsored by Akwa Ibom government is ready to brighten the Christmas landscape of the state. The largest assembly of carol singers in the world that draws international, national and local artistes will hold. The Guinness Records breaking carol holder showcases both local and international talents in musical artistry. Uyo Township Stadium, the traditional host, is the venue.
The event whose creative planning and efficient execution would have reached a dead end starts now. The steam is there is on. The swinging chandeliers, giant Christmas tree, alluring lighting effects, choristers in colourful attires, hanging loudspeakers, modern band stand, well-arranged seats, decorative platforms and intimidating klied lights of assorted types form the cynosure.
A reputable man of man of God will do justice to the theme: Let the people say Amen. And the organisers roll out the festival on Friday, December 21, 2018. The festival held same date in 2013. Ibom Orchestra, Ibom Brass Band and the Akwa Ibom State Government Choir join the large assembly of singers in rendering carols in an awe-inspiring way during the festival. It will be a blend of unique vocal and digital rendition of medley.
National Anthem, standing ovation for Governor Udom Emmanuel and family after the flag-off, a welcome address by Aniekpeno Mkpanang, the initiator of the programme, applause for scintillating performances and well-timed fireworks will crown the closing ceremony.
The 25,272 choristers who participated in the 2014 Christmas carol broke the world record officially certified by the Guinness World Records as the “Largest Group of Carol Singers in the World”. The concert was against a former record of 15,674 carol singers which was achieved the previous year by CENTI, a group in Bogota, Columbia.
The first edition of Akwa Ibom Government Christmas Carol night debuted in 2008 with 9,300 carol singers made up of 10 choir groups with 30 members each from the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.
Mkpanang who confirmed this to Straightnews reporter on Monday said “I got the approval for the event late. Though few of our international and national artistes cancelled our earlier engagements, we will work harder to bring in more to maintain the global standard of the event.
“Throughout November, we will travel a lot to many countries in order to bring in more artistes. We will sustain the tempo of the event in the international reckoning, the short time in planning notwithstanding. I can authoritatively confirm that the event holds on Friday, December 21, 2018.”
More details…
