Visitors to the World Trade Organization headquarters in Geneva were treated to a vibrant display of Nigerian culture on Sunday as traditional masquerades and dancers delivered one of the most captivating performances at the organisation's annual Open Day.
Their energetic appearance transformed the cultural showcase into a celebration of Nigeria's rich heritage, drawing attention from visitors exploring the WTO headquarters and reinforcing the country's reputation for colourful artistic traditions on the global stage.
The Open Day gave members of the public a rare opportunity to tour the WTO headquarters, interact with staff, gain a better understanding of the organisation's work and admire artworks displayed throughout the building. Alongside these activities, member countries showcased their cuisines, customs and cultural identities, creating a lively international festival within the organisation's home.
Reflecting on the event, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the enthusiasm and diversity that participating countries brought to the celebration through a post on X.
"So many #WTO Members made the Open Day fun with their food and cultural items," she wrote.
She thanked participating members including China, Chinese Taipei, Comoros, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Georgia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Peru, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand and Viet Nam for contributing to the success of the event.
While acknowledging the contributions of all participating members, Okonjo-Iweala drew particular attention to Nigeria's cultural presentation, encouraging the public to watch videos from the Open Day featuring the country's traditional masquerades and dancers. Their performances entertained visitors while offering an authentic glimpse into Nigeria's rich cultural heritage.
She also announced that additional photographs from the celebration would soon be available on the WTO website and shared several images of herself with visiting children.
"There are many beautiful photos of the day that will momentarily be up on the WTO website. Here are a few of me with some visiting children. Many thanks also to the many staff and the volunteers who made the day a successful one. Up WTO!" she wrote.
The celebration underscored the WTO Open Day's role as more than an institutional event. It became a meeting point of cultures, where Nigeria's traditions stood proudly before a global audience, demonstrating once again how the country's cultural heritage continues to inspire, entertain and strengthen its presence on the international stage.
No comments:
Post a Comment