Memories Are Forever

Memories Are Forever

When all have been said and done.

When they have come and gone.

As they always come and go every day.

Their footprints are always washed away.

But my memories of them linger longer 

And I will remember them forever.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Author of "Diary of the Memory Keeper" and other books distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other things.

Elegushi Beach,  2016.

Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria.

From the principal photography of my documentary film, "Lagos in Motion".

Photograph by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima.

All rights reserved.

No copying, duplication and reproduction in any format of media without the authorization and permission of Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima and International Digital Post Network Limited.

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#people

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#Photography 

#diary 

#books

#Amazon

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#Michael

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The Beauty of Shared Arts Premieres on CCTV-1, Telling Stories of Exchange and Mutual Learning Under the Belt and Road Initiative

PRESS RELEASE

The Beauty of Shared Arts Premieres on CCTV-1, Telling Stories of Exchange and Mutual Learning Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

The Beauty of Shared Arts premiered on October 5 at about 8:00 PM on CCTV-1 and was simultaneously broadcast on online media platforms such as Yangshipin.cn and CCTV.com

Access Multimedia Content

BEIJING, China, October 6, 2023/ -- Amidst the 10^th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China Media Group (CMG) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China jointly produced The Beauty of Shared Arts, a grand TV program focusing on international cultural exchanges, to showcase the charm of diverse cultures and promote their exchanges. Themed around the Cultural Silk Road, this program welcomes guests from BRI members and offers a panoramic view of cultural interplay, open collaboration, and interaction among diverse cultures through the BRI. Featuring artists in China and beyond, The Beauty of Shared Arts presents viewers with refreshing contents, including singing, dancing, theatrical performances, and acrobatics to showcase the profound fusion of different cultures, as the BRI builds a modern Silk Road for the shared benefit of countries around the world. The program premiered on October 5 at about 8:00 PM on CCTV-1 (https://www.CCTV.com/) and was simultaneously broadcast on online media platforms such as Yangshipin.cn and CCTV.com.

With concerted efforts from member countries, the BRI has yielded fruitful results over the past decade, as it has promoted public well-being and fostered cultural dialogues among BRI members. Following the initiative’s footsteps, The Beauty of Shared Arts shot VCRs and held interviews around the world to fully capture the BRI’s vision: We advocate respect for the diversity of civilizations, the common values of humanity, the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

In one episode, the program introduced viewers to the touching mentorship between Chinese train conductor Dai Rui and her Laotian counterpart Tong Kangmi on the China-Laos railway. During the episode, the two conductors sang One Belt One Road, together with Laotian singer Atisal Ratana and Hong Kong actor/singer WONG Cho-lam. The BRI has not only connected economies but also created closer ties between people from different nations. Upcoming episodes of the program will also feature guests from African BRI members. Through the program, viewers feel the emotional side of the BRI, as they witness the similarities, mutual understanding, and friendship between different cultures.

From the story of joint BRI contribution to the artistic performances on stage, The Beauty of Shared Arts transcends national boundaries to present direct dialogues between different cultures and arts. For instance, through their shared love for the blue and white porcelain, Director of the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Institute WANG Yanjun and famous Turkish artist Adil Can Güven struck an immediate connection on the program. Through innovative stage collaboration between the Turkish Fire of Anatolia Dance Troupe and Chinese dancers for the New Blue and White Porcelain, the program vividly illustrated the artistic charm of the distinct yet harmonious cultures of China and Türkiye, generating fresh cultural dynamics through mutual exchange.

The program offers many other highlights: Serbian singer Slobodan Trkulja and Chinese singer SHA Baoliang creatively adapted the classic song Bella Ciao/Goodbye My Friends; celebrated pianist LANG Lang engaged in a musical dialogue with Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen on the same stage. Through the program, touching stories are seamlessly incorporated into various art forms, including music, dance, and visual aesthetics, to create a series of impressive artistic feasts.

The Beauty of Shared Arts, broadcast on CCTV-1, invites all viewers to witness the evolution of the BRI, an epic story of our times.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CCTV-1.

Media Contact:
Name: Shalon.lu Wang
Email: wangqiushi@yangshipin.cn

SOURCE
CCTV-1

Okpara Delivers Colourful 2023 Iwaji Akokwa

Okpara Delivers Colourful 2023 Iwaji Akokwa

- By Chief Ingram Osigwe 

It was glamour and glitz at the 2023 edition of the annual Iwaji Akokwa( Akokwa New Yam Festival). Akokwa, an Ancient kingdom that shares a boundary with the Aguata council area in Anambra state, is in the Ideato North local government area of Imo. It's noted for its rich cultural heritage.

The Akokwa annual Iwaji cultural fiesta attracts tourists from around the world.  The 2023 edition was no different.

This year's edition was chaired by Dr. (Ambassador)  Obinna Okpara( Nmirioma Akokwa), a renowned philanthropist who has impacted positively on the lives of many through scholarships and other humanitarian works.

Dr.  Okpara had, before the festival,  been appointed by the traditional ruler of Akokwa, Eze (sir) Ikenna Okoli,  KSC, (Okoli V) (Agbarakwuriibe 111) The 11th of Akokwa,  as the Ozo ji 2023 (overseer of the New Yam festival).

The Akokwa monarch had told Dr. Okpara in his appointment letter that " it pleases me greatly to inform you that the palace has found you worthy to be appointed the Ozo ji for the 2023 New Yam festival".

True to type,  Dr. Okpara gave a good account of himself in organizing, executing, and delivering a richer,  more colorful, and well-attended Iwaji Akokwa thus justifying his choice as Ozo ji.

The preparation for the 2023 Iwaji started a month before the event with a football competition among the various villages that made up the kingdom and was sponsored by Dr. Obinna.

The football competition segment of the new festival ended with a grand finale held on the 24th of August.

It was graced by the sponsor, Dr. Obinna, and Eze  Okoli who kicked off the ball to signal the commencement of the match. 

The Iwaji festival proper which was held on August 25th attracted hundreds of guests and culture enthusiasts from around the world, including friends, business associates, and well-wishers of Dr.  Okpara.  Those who could not physically make it to Akokwa sent congratulatory messages wishing Eze Okoli and his subjects( the people of Akokwa) a successful festival.

One of the highlights of the epoch event was the presentation of prizes and gifts to the winners and runners-up of various competitions.

For example,  in the football category,  the first prize was #200,000, the second prize was #150,000, and the third prize was #100,000.

For the competitors in the yam weight category, the winner went home with a brand-new motorcycle and a cash sum of #50,000, the second position won a brand new Generator and a sum of #30, 000 while the third position went home with a brand-new generator and a cash sum of #30, 000. Other competitors in other categories from the various villages went home with #50,000 each.

Dr. Okpara,  an industrialist sits atop many companies as Chairman/ Managing Director.

These include Ron Logistics and Supporting Services LIMITED,  Zuriel Gold Link Pharmaceuticals Limited, and Headstone Agro Allied Ltd among others.

Chief Ingram Osigwe, a member of Obi’s cabinet is the MD of Full page inter Comm Ltd.