By Cleopatra Eki
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar, founder Art of living has urged Nigerians to embrace healthy culture and meditation as it can promote peace and unity in a country despite the economic downturn. He made the call at The Culture Festival 2022 recently with the theme Vibrant Africa: The Rising Rhythm held at Eko Hotel Lagos.
It is the first time Gurudev visited Nigeria. He has rekindled traditions of yoga and meditation that have helped millions to achieve personal and social transformation by relieving stress and discovering inner peace in daily life.
The Festival aims to build a compassionate and harmonious society by bringing the people of the world together in celebration. Through song, dance, meditation, dialogue, attendees share and explore their rich cultural diversity, while honoring the underlying spirit that connects us all as one global family.
Highlighting the essence of this year’s theme, the founder of the Art of Living Foundation, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar, said,“Today in the world, where there is so much polarity, it’s time to unite everybody. We know sports can unite. We know the economy can unite – as when it comes to business, everyone forgets their nationality and culture. Faith also unites, while the first and perhaps most important, is culture. Dance and music can also foster unity and that’s what the Culture Festival 2022 seeks to achieve.”
The event was attended by dignitaries such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Oba of Orimedo land and others.
“The Festival like an Olympics for artists; an Olympics for culture. Without music and dance, life at times could feel so dry. If we all work harmoniously, we can envisage a better world for the coming generation and live like we are all one family,” Gurudev concluded.
In the goodwill message given by Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi said Nigeria and lndian have similar cultures and ties.He appreciated the kind gestures of lndians in Nigeria to promote businesses, IT education, culture, peace and Unity in Nigeria
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There were lots of musical performances and dancers that features different cultural heritage. The singers were Lovn, Darey, Waje, Naomi Mac, Esther Benego, Timi Dakolo and others. there were also musical performances by the rising Rhythm from Ife, Syrian Dancers, National cultural troupe, Indian dancers, Yoga performance, Kaffy Dancers and the Happiness Choir.
The Award of Heroes of Humanity was presented to Mr. Chinedu Mogbo, Chief Nike Okundayo and Victoria Nkong for all their selfless and humanitarian projects from Art of living. The recipients were given one million naira each by the foundation while awards was presented by former President -Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
Akshay Jain , Director, Art of Living Foundation (Nigeria); said the mission of Art of Living is to spread happiness around the world. They have done lots of programmes around the country such as in Delta state and are planning to do more.
The Festival also mark the 40th anniversary of the Art of Living Foundation. The Foundation is the world’s largest educational and humanitarian organization, with the single motive to create a stress-free and violence-free society through fostering individual well-being and societal development.
Art of living has been operating in 156 countries, The Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) is a non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization founded in 1981 by the humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar.
All AOLF’s programmes are inspired by Sri Sri’s philosophy of creating world peace through a stress-free and violence-free society. AOLF has touched over 400 million lives through numerous educational and self-development programs and tools that facilitate the elimination of stress and foster profound inner peace, happiness, and well-being of individuals.
Leveraging local initiatives like ‘I Meditate Africa’ and ‘Voice of Africa’, Art of Living has reached over 2.3 million Africans and united 22 African countries through peace campaigns. The Foundation has taught Happiness and Youth Leadership Training Programs in Nigeria for more than 10 years and has impacted thousands of people in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, Enugu, and the Delta States. In partnership with the University of Lagos, the Foundation launched the Drug-Free Nigeria campaign to create awareness about drug abuse and addiction among youths.
Past editions of the Culture Festival have brought presidents, prime ministers, diplomats, dignitaries, spiritual leaders, social activists, artists, and people of all race together.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar is a global humanitarian and a spiritual leader who has rekindled traditions of yoga and meditation that have helped millions achieve personal and social transformation by relieving stress and discovering inner peace in daily life.
Named one of the “Seven Most Powerful People in India,” by Forbes, he has been credited with bringing opposing parties together to facilitate meditation and peace talks in Colombia, Iraq, Cote d’Ivoire, and India.
