Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival
The Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival is the largest gathering of carol singers in the world. This record was officially certified by the Guinness World Records on Saturday,[1] December 13, 2014 in a concert featuring 25,272 carol singers at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria with Guinness World Records representatives in attendance, against a former record of 15,674 carol singers which was achieved the previous year (December 15, 2013) by a group called CENTI in Bogotá, Colombia.
History
2012–2013 edition
2012 edition featured great artistes like Alvin Slaughter and Donnie McClurkin from USA, an international choir performance by the Chorale Devine de Merveilles of the Republic of Congo. 2013 edition had Bishop Oyedepo of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners' Chapel) and USA born human rights activist, Rev. Jesse Jackson in attendance and featured an international choir performance by the National Choir of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, international singers like Lionel Peterson, Israel Houghton and great Nigerian singers like Bongos Ikwue, Frank Edwards, Nathaniel Bassey, Aity Dennis Inyang, Fadabasi and many more.[2]
2014 edition
In 2014, this event broke a Guinness World Record to become the "Largest Assembly of Carol Singers on the Face of the Earth." In attendance were Don Moen, international gospel music composer, Cardinal John Onaiyekan of Abuja Catholic Diocese and many prominent persons. The event featured special performances by Quartets from the five international choirs that performed in past editions. Also performing were gospel saxophonist Angela Christie, Lionel Peterson, Sinach and many more.[3]
2016 edition
In 2016, the Akwa Ibom State Government organized the concert again on December 17, 2016. With guest artists from around the world such as Award Winning gospel singer, Don Moen, PRM band,The Kayamba Africa Choral Ensemble and Kenya Boys Choir. Some locals artists from Nigeria such as Sammie Okposo, Buchi, Steve Crown, Elijah Oyelade, Rev. Fr. Patrick Edet, Esther Edoho, Julius Nglass and Perfecta Ekpo were also be in attendance.[4][5][6]
References
- ↑ "Largest group of carol singers". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
- ↑ Pulse. "9’999 Christmas Carol Singers In Akwa Ibom (All The Photos) - Galleries - Pulse". pulse.ng. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
- ↑ NTA Live (2014-12-20), Annual Festival of Carol of 9999 Singers - Uyo Stadium, retrieved 2016-12-16
- ↑ "DStv, GOtv Subscribers To Enjoy Festivals Pop-up Channel". The NEWS. 2016-11-22. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
- ↑ "Uyo returns with Akwa Ibom Xmas Carol - The Nation Nigeria". The Nation Nigeria. 2016-12-15. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
- ↑ "9th Edition: Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival 2016". www.premiumherald.com. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
External links
- Glo Lifts 2015 Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festival
- The Inaugural Edition of Akwa Ibom State 9,999 Christmas Carol