By Christian Njoku
Mr Ojoi Ekpenyong, Managing Director, Cross River’s Tourism Bureau has disclosed that Kulturama Festival would be a massive platform to tell the state’s story to the outside world.
Ekpenyong said this on Tuesday in Calabar during a Press Conference on the festival scheduled to take place from Feb. 13 to Feb. 16, 2025.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kulturama which is being organised by Delfaro Production in partnership with Cross River’s Tourism Bureau is a festival to showcase the rich culinary art, culture, and talents in Cross River.
It would also have competitions, stunts from professional bikers and would be held at the popular Marina Resort, Calabar, during the Valentine period.
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The MD who lauded the effort of the organisers of the event said the four day festival would be used to market Cross River, showcasing its tourism potentials to the whole world.
“We are happy to partner with the organisers for this festival because this is exactly what Gov. Bassey Otu is looking out for, private sector partnership, we will try to make this a Year event.
On his part, Kulturama Festival Director, Mr Harmony Ikwoh, said the festival became necessary to showcase the rich heritage of Cross River adding that the state had not really done itself justice in showcasing what it has.
Ikwoh who doubles as the Managing Director, Delfaro Production, said the people of the state needed to start telling the right stories of Cross River’s food and culture.
“If you pick up your phone and google Cross River and narrow it down to Cross River’s foods the image search results shows that we have not really done ourselves Justice.
“Around the country Cross River is known for its food, as Calabar kitchen is seen everywhere, unfortunately, many of these restaurants are run by people of other tribes especially Igbos, this is why we have come up with this concept.
Similarly, the Programme Coordinator of Kulturama, Mrs Justina Ovat said it is their belief that the festival would increase visitors traffic to the state, promote its cultural heritage and project its cuisines.
She added that it will also help in talent discovery in the state, as there would be different competitions ranging from culinary, art and other areas.
(NAN)