Stories by JAPHET ALAKAM

The German Cultural and information Centre, Goethe Institut , one of the very active European cultural organisations in Nigeria which has been homeless since December 2009 when it lost its former home located at Ozumba Mbadiwe Way, Victoria Island has finally acquired a new home in the central Lagos.

Ageless Fatai Rolling Dollars performing during the opening ceremony

The richly furnished new home located at the Lagos City Hall, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island was officially re – opened last week amidst pump and pageantry as art lovers, culture enthusiasts and friends of Goethe gathered at what would be described as a new era in the life of the institut.

The event which attracted the presence of notable dignitaries like the Consul General, German Embassy in Lagos, Walter L. Von den Driesch , Dr Bruce Onabrekpeya and Mrs Ronke Ashaye also saw great performances from many great artistes among them, Jazz specialist, Chinaza who came all the way from Berlin, Orlando Julius and his group, Ade Bantu and his group and ageless, Fatai Rolling Dollars who provided great and scintillating mix of what could be tagged ancient and modern lyrical compostions.

In his address, Mr Marc-André Schmachtel ,Director Goethe-Institut Nigeria thanked all the friends of Goethe who kept faith with them during the years of inactivity. He described the new location as a nice place that is very central to all with good packing space. According to him “every location has its advantages and disadvantages. And because we can not carry out all the activities that we do in Ozumba Mbadiwe, we have provided a website through which people can reach out to us at all times.”

He also disclosed that Nigeria and Germany have a lot in common pointing out that the re- opening of the place will help to cementing existing relationship between the two countries. He also announced that Goethe Institut Nigeria will celebrate its 50th anniversary in Lagos next year.

On her part, the Director of Sub – Saharan region of Goethe, Dr Katharina Von Ruckteschell- Kate who was happy that Goethe has finally acquired a new home reiterated the mission of the Institut which is to foster international dialogue between both countries and charged the new director to rise up to the challenges of meeting the demands of the Institut.

And also in his remarks, an elated Walter L. Von den Driesch, the Consul General, German Embassy in Lagos stated that the Institut has achieved a very good reputation since its inception in 1962. He enumerated some of the achievements of the Institut which includes ,the provision of opportunity for younger artists to perform, promotion of the study of German language abroad , provision of inter cultural exchange and a comprehensive picture of Germans in Nigeria.

After the speech making period, the director took the guests on a tour of the newly refurbished Goethe located in the third floor of the building. Areas visited were event hall where many art works were stocked, newly furbished library fully stocked with rich collections of cultural books of all kinds, Literature, Art and German language, the program department, the administration block, the language department and others.

It was indeed a rich programme of events as the guests were treated to a rich combination of the ancient and modern musics from the stables of Ade Bantu , Orlando Julius and Fatai Rolling Dollars who all in their characteristic ways thrilled the audience .

But of special focus was when the ageless Fatai Rolling Dollar who will be 85 years this year took the stage and demonstrated why he is still producing at that age. There was also a dance drama by Akwa Ibom born Isreal Sunday Akpan, who gave a very good account of himself with a wonderful dramatic performance at the event.