Genevieve graces Casa Mexicana opening

The award-winning actress made a grand entry at the end of the event which brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps as well as the general public. Encouraging the initiative, Mexican ambassador to Nigeria, Louis Barrero Stahl said the enterprise was a small but significant contribution to educate Nigerians on Mexico through quality […]

The award-winning actress made a grand entry at the end of the event which brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps as well as the general public.

Encouraging the initiative, Mexican ambassador to Nigeria, Louis Barrero Stahl said the enterprise was a small but significant contribution to educate Nigerians on Mexico through quality works clothing items, arts and crafts.

Host of the evening and proprietor of Casa Mexicana, Mrs. Maria Adegoroye explained that ‘Casa Mexicana’ means ‘Mexican House’. She informed that, the idea came to being partly in response to the appreciation of Mexican gift items she gave to her Nigerian friends and family.

“Casa Mexicana is principally a platform for me to show the creativity, family values, respect for nature and dignity of labour of the descendants of ancient civilisations in Mexico in order to open our minds to many possibilities that exist here in Nigeria.”

On display were unique handmade crafts from different states in Mexico made by locals many of whom have never come in contact with television or formal education.

She charged all present to be conscious of the fact that technology, television and social media are fast eroding Nigeria’s indigenous culture and that, “the influence of oil on our commerce is making children of local craftsmen abandon their heritage in preference to selling petrol in jerricans on highways.” According to her, there is no doubt that establishing arts and crafts centres at local government levels offers viable ways to engage young minds to be creatively productive so as to preserve their heritage.

A true Mexican home, she added, is never complete without religious arts, crafts, copperwares, pottery, paintings, and alebrijes (good luck and happiness amulets). Adorning their women are indigenously crafted jewelleries, textiles and dresses. These, Adegoroye said, are what she was introducing to the Nigerian public whom she described as very fashionable and one of the most dynamic in the world.

It is hoped that in the near future there will be a similar celebration of Nigeria in Mexico.