Culture

Eritrean cultural event in Germany turns violent

Published

2 weeks ago

September 18, 2023

A cultural event organised by Eritrean nationals resident in Germany on Saturday turned violent after dozens of people, including 26 German police officers were injured.

Police in the southwestern German city of Stuttgart said in a statement on Sunday that along with the 26 officers, four people participating in the Eritrean cultural festival and two protesting against it were injured and were being treated at the hospital, while 228 people were taken into custody in what the police said was a “massive violence” between the two groups.

The clash, according to the police statement, was the latest in a string of incidents at such events in Germany and elsewhere, with fights breaking out between Eritrean government supporters and opponents.

The Stuttgart police force described those attending as “supportive of the dictatorial regime of President Isaias Afwerki that rules the Horn of African country” and opponents of the regime.

“Some 300 officers were deployed to deal with several hundred opponents of President Isaias Afwerki’s regime who came out to protest the event,” a media report on the incident said on Monday.

“Protesters were assigned an area to demonstrate, but they headed for the meeting venue, police said. The demonstrators then charged at those participating at the event, throwing metal rods and rocks at the police.

“Police officers used pepper spray and batons to break up the crowd. Participants at the venue were moved to a safer location under police protection. Officers took down notes of those protesting. The event was all but over in two hours.

“Shortly before the event was set to begin Saturday afternoon, around 200 protesters gathered in the area outside and began throwing stones, bottles, and other items at police officers and participants of the event.

“The conflicts surrounding gatherings like Saturday´s highlight the deep divide among members of the Eritrean diaspora, those who remain close to the government and those who have fled to live in exile and strongly oppose Isaias.

“Saturday´s protests were the latest in a string of unrest surrounding Eritrean cultural events in Germany and elsewhere. In July, a clash at an Eritrean festival in the western German city of Giessen left 22 police officers injured”, the report added.

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Culture

Spotify celebrates Nigeria’s Independence with the unveiling of three playlists

Published

4 hours ago

October 2, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Global streaming platform, Spotify celebrated Nigeria’s 63rd Independence anniversary with the unveiling of three new playlists that highlight the country’s musical diversity, ranging from Fuji to the golden eras of Afrobeats.

The platform, in a post on its social media, said the playlists “provide a home for music that millions of Nigerians of all ages and persuasions have loved and listened to for decades.”

It said apart from the global growth of Afrobeats, “Nigeria is also home to a diverse musical culture, with genres of unique origins, and artists who have created iconic music across eras.”

“To highlight this, Spotify is giving a voice to some of Nigerian music’s unsung genres, its most essential decades, as well as the creators and hit songs that laid foundations for Afrobeats’ success,” it said.

According to the streaming platform, the playlists include:

The Fuji Sound

“Building on its most recent success, this playlist charts the evolution of the Fuji genre, and its most essential artists, from Kollington Ayinla to Wasiu Alabi Pasuma.”

I love my 2000s Afrobeats

“Fans of the early days of Afrobeats, and everyone else, will find nostalgia and great memories calling in the “I Love My 2000s Afrobeats” playlist”.

I love my 2010s Afrobeats

“Featuring some of the songs that kicked off the ‘Afrobeats To The World’ movement, this playlist is a mix of hits that you’ll definitely come back to.”

Culture

Nigerian producer, Hitsound kicks off attempt to set new Guinness World Record

Published

1 day ago

October 1, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Nigerian music producer, Joshua Abba Jeremiah, popularly known as Hitsound, has kicked off an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest music recording session.

Hitsound, who began the audacious attempt on September 29, says he is hoping to break the world record for the longest recording marathon with multiple artistes.

The present record stands at 243 hours, 30 minutes (11 days). Hitsound believes he can eclipse the record.

The producer is also trying to better previous attempts by other Nigerian disc jockeys like DJ Obi, Khafi, and DJ Yin.

DJ Yin had, in 2021, recorded a time of 243 hours, 30 minutes (11 days), from the 20th of September to the 1st of October, at The Grill by Yanna, Ikoyi, Lagos, breaking the previous record set by DJ Obi who played for 240 hours in 2016.