#bicentinary

[dm7th]

I may choose to privately iron issues out with anyone who offends me, but will rather laud the laudable acts and attitude of people publicly. I got introduced to Nelson Latif by the office of the Consul General of Brazil in Lagos through the Cultural & Educational Attaché to my boss. I was told to liaise with him as his band, Trio Raiz would be headlining the Brazilian Bicentennial Independence Celebrations. From the first conversation we had, I knew this is not a regular "international star" musician. Fast-forward to Tuesday (a day prior to Sete de Setembro) I was having a late lunch at the restaurant beside the poolside when I recognised Mestre Tolomim a few tables from mine and called Nelson immediately. He picked and I said "I am right behind you." In spite of challenges we had with regards to logistics, visas, flights scheduling, etc., these amazing souls patiently and painstakingly took me through their music (Brazilian music can be dicey) on the same night at a corner of the Sky Restaurant with Marcelo laying out the songs and Nelson writing the changes. Many thanks to the Consulate for pulling this off; HE Francisco Soares Carlos Luz, HE Ivana Panizzi, HE Luisivan Vellar Strelow, the Consular staffs, FROSEA Global Associates, Brazilian Descendants Association, Eko Hotel & Suites, Nordic Hotel, Dotun Israel, FRITOTS Band Tayo Conga & the Tumbadora Band, Prime Qwest Band, Eko Samba Community, Eko Brass Band, Nigeria Football Supporters Club. What great souls you are Viviane, Mestre, Marcelo & Nelson. I so much appreciate the time, camaraderie and these lovely gifts of autographed CDs. I will surely cherish them all while we see again, pretty soon. Viva Republica Federativa do Brazil! Long live Lagos State! Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria. #brasil #brazil #lagos #nigeria #bicentenario #bicentenariobrasil #independente #bicentinial #bicentinary #independence #setedesetembro #fun #music #trio #trioraiz #dm7th #dmajor7th #ontheroad (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiuFSY_N32M/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[wholebynoora]

Unity Art Project • This is the puppet, Olivia the owl, from the owl children’s book series that I used during story time the past month in Elisa’s class. The children were familiar with the wise old owl who lived in an oak and always taught children good stuff! I can see the difference between when I personally tell them something and when the owl does. It’s very strange but they really listened to the owl’s advice even though I am the one holding it! It was a fun #Bicentinary art project. It was Elisa’s gift to the beloved Bab. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #wholebynoora #art #puppet #owl #children #kids #Bab (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4eopQ-hQx-/?igshid=1nd9pz3wx0wdh

[wholebynoora]

Unity Art Project • For 200th Anniversary of the birth of the Bab, Elisa and I conducted an art project, with the help of the teachers, exploring the concept of unity with her little friends in kindergarten. We sang the beautiful Quote, “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth”, I told them the story that I made up about the 5 fingers and the thumb that quit, and had an owl puppet who had conversations with the children about the implications of unity in the playground and in the classroom. After exploring the concept of unity we handed every chid paper cut outs of children holding hands. They colored and decorated them so that the teachers would hang them up in the classroom for them to always remember ‘Unity’. It was a meaningful and fun day. 04.11.19 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #wholebynoora #bab #bicentinary #art #communityart #children https://www.instagram.com/p/B4eK252B1um/?igshid=1emgo074z1uz4