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Emmanuel Macron was already familiar with the place, long before he was elected president
In 1977, Nigerian soldiers set fire to the legendary concert hall where Fela Kuti played her protest music that popularized the Afrobeat genre. Kuti was despised by Nigeria's military leaders for his controversial songs that mocked corrupt officials, criticized colonialism, and encouraged Nigerians to question the lavish spending of their leaders.
Kuti died in 1997, but on Tuesday, the new Afrika sanctuary in Lagos – which replaced the original club and is now run by two of Kutisons, Femi and Seun, also both musicians – hosted the French President Emmanuel Macron. His visit to the shrine, presumed to be a first by an incumbent president, has diverted the attention of the previous Macron meeting on extremism with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, and has shifted his focus from his office. interest in a celebration of African youth and culture. 19659004] "It may be surprising that a French president goes to the Sanctuary, but it will not surprise anyone if I go to Albert Hall or the Met," said Macron. "We have to change that."
It is African energy. The one I discovered here in Lagos when I was 23 years old. The one I am happy to see is still flourishing several years later. One that I hope many Europeans will learn. He who is far from the African prejudice of misery. pic.twitter.com/HqFxmJn0c1
– Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 4, 2018
At first glance, the shrine may seem far from being presidential. An average night, hawkers stay out and a cloud of marijuana smoke envelops guests even before they walk through the front doors. Young men play billiards in corners, sharing joints next to signs that say "Drugs are not allowed in the sanctuary."
But the concert hall is also one of the most Historic Lagos. against the establishment, just as he lost his own mother to the violence of Nigerian soldiers. Kuti was arrested many times, and he spent time in prison the last time Buhari was in power, as a military leader who took power in 1983. When AIDS complications killed Kuti in 1997, less than a million people would have marched through the streets of Lagos for his funeral.
While the club was once feared by many Nigerians, who badociated it with an era of violence and crime. , it is now attracting a wide range of guests, hipsters in skinny jeans to older Nigerians dressed from head to toe in traditional clothing.
Macron was already familiar with the place: Long before he was elected president, he was interned at the French Embbady in the capital of Abuja, and he claims to have visited the shrine during the six months that he spent in Nigeria. "I can not tell you everything that happened when I came to the Sanctuary, because what is happening at the Sanctuary remains at the Sanctuary," he said this week.
At a press conference, Macron called The Cultural Center and an iconic hub "and says his visit allows him" to say with great humility that I recognize the importance of this culture, I recognize the place of this culture. "
Rikki Stein, close friend of Kuti and the former director, said in a phone call with the Washington Post that he was" on the moon "about the visit of Macron at the Sanctuary
"France was the first country to really promote Fela," said Stein. "He would have been glad to know that the President of France paid his respects."
L's. Tuesday's special event featured a fashion show, a musical performance and an art show. "On Twitter, Macron shared a video of himself sharing the stage with Femi Kuti.
Kuti wrote on Instagram that Macron "is loved, loves the New Africa Shrine. I've heard I think he's concerned and wants to positve [sic.] also changes #onepeopleoneworld. "
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