2003 Black Heritage Festival to be Held in August

The third edition of the Black Heritage Festival, Lagos, Nigeria, will be held from August 23 to September 1, 2003. The festival is held annually, since 2001 by The Lagos State Waterfront and Tourism Development Corporation in furtherance of the Slave Route Projects, initiated by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Other sponsors of the Festival, which continue to attract delegates from the United States and Europe, i.e. since inception, include the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, the Badagry Local Government and of course UNESCO. The major objectives of the Festival are to promote the diverse and rich cultural heritage of the people of African descent and re-integrate Africans in diaspora to their native lands.

The one-week event will feature several educative, economic and entertainment programs such as the UNESCO symposium on Cultural Diversity and a carnival procession of cultural troupes. Other major activities lined up for the week-long event include a guided tour of Heritage sites and monuments, the slave port and market and the Heritage Museum. There will be an atonement session, courtesy calls on traditional rulers, boat regatta and traditional wrestling etc. The festival will close with an economic Forum in Akodo, a secluded resort on the Lagos Lagoon Beach and a Gala Night at the Muson Centre in Lagos.

The participation fee is $200.00 (Two Hundred dollars) per delegate, covering admission into all events, ground transportation etc. Accomodation rates ranges from $600 to $750 per participant, for the entire duration of the Festival.

All further enquiries should be addressed to Lagos State Waterfront and Tourism Development Corporation 3B Itirin Court, Victoria Island, Lagos. P.M.B. 40001, Falomo Lagos, Nigeria. Telephone 234.1.774 1886; 288.5014. www.lagostourism.com; www.blackheritagefestival-ng.com.