By Abasifreke Effiong – Uyo
The world record holding largest Christmas Carols Festival on the face of the Earth, the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival, AK-FEST, will not hold this year.
The event usually held in December every year has been suspended for the first time in 12 years.
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The Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival was officially certified as the largest Carols concert by Guinness World Record on December 13, 2014, with a record of 25,272 carols singers.
The Akwa Ibom State government on Wednesday 2nd December said the 2020 edition of the State’s award-winning Christmas Carols festival has been suspended.
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In a statement, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Akwa Ibom State, Mr Orman Esin, said the lockdown and ban on international travels caused by by the Coronavirus pandemic affected planning for the 2020 edition of the Christmas Carols Festival.
“This development is hinged on the logistics challenge posed by the global lockdown and international travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the bourgeoning threat of a second wave of the virus.”
“As expected of world class events of that magnitude, its preparation starts at least six months before the date. The global travel restrictions and closure of factories earlier in the year, made it impossible to commence the planning of this annual soul lifting spiritual event this year.”
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In the last one decade plus the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival has received performances from renowned gospel singers including Alvin Slaughter, Donnie McClurkin, Don Moen, Lionel Peterson, Israel Houghton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, gospel saxophonist Angela Christie, Lionel Peterson, Sinach, Sammie Okposo, Buchi, Steve Crown, Elijah Oyelade, Rev. Fr. Patrick Edet, Esther Edoho, Julius Nglass and Perfecta Ekpo.
International choir groups including, Chorale Devine de Merveilles of the Republic of Congo, the National Choir of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, Harmonious Chorale, PRM band, the Kayamba Africa Choral Ensemble and Kenya Boys Choir have performed at the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol festival at different times.
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