The Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, has described Carnival Calabar as a powerful cultural platform showcasing the beauty, creativity, and peaceful spirit of Nigeria to the international community.
Mignot spoke in Lagos at the Eko Hotel and Suites ahead of the unveiling of the 2026 Carnival Calabar theme, “Rethinking Our Collective Destiny,” by the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu.
Addressing tourism stakeholders, diplomats, cultural promoters, and members of the creative industry, the EU envoy said the carnival had become one of the most memorable events he had attended since assuming office in Nigeria nearly two years ago.
“This is an amazing event and visit I have attended in the almost two years that I have been in Nigeria as the EU ambassador,” he said.
“In a country where you are confronted regularly with sad news in the press, also spread internationally, Calabar Carnival is here to show the smiling and happy faces of Nigeria.”
According to him, Carnival Calabar projects a different narrative about Nigeria — one rooted in joy, beauty, elegance, inventiveness, and peaceful coexistence.
“It is here to remind that Nigeria is also joy, colour, beauty, elegance, inventiveness, and people celebrating together in a peaceful atmosphere,” Mignot stated.
He praised Cross River State for building a globally recognised cultural event capable of attracting growing international attention and participation.
“This happens in a wonderful corner of Nigeria called Cross River, and the carnival is making it more and more famous internationally,” he added.
Drawing comparisons with Europe’s long-standing carnival traditions, Mignot noted that Carnival Calabar possesses a unique identity that distinguishes it from many other global carnivals.
“In Europe, we have a long tradition of carnivals. They normally happen in February. But the Calabar Carnival takes place in December, just between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The peculiarity of the carnival is also an asset to stand out with its distinctiveness,” he said.
The ambassador recalled his personal experience participating in the carnival alongside Governor Otu, describing it as an immersive celebration rather than a mere spectator event.
“You don’t attend the carnival, you are part of it,” he remarked.
“One of the moments I liked the most when I went there was when we met with His Excellency, the governor, both in our fantastic carnival costumes, and we started strolling the streets with the rest of the people, somehow parading ourselves.”
Mignot said he was particularly impressed by the creativity, choreography, and professionalism displayed by the participating bands during the carnival procession.
“I was struck by the top quality of the shows of all the bands, the inventiveness and the precision of the choreography,” he said.
Describing Carnival Calabar as a valuable cultural asset, the EU envoy urged stakeholders to continue promoting the festival as a global tourism and creative industry brand.
“Yes, Cross River and Nigeria as a whole have a diamond in their hands to shine before the eyes of the country and also the rest of the world, and this is the Calabar Carnival,” he stated.
He congratulated Governor Otu and the organisers for their commitment toward sustaining and expanding the event’s international appeal while wishing the 2026 edition a successful outing.
“Best of success to the 2026 edition and congratulations to Your Excellency for your personal commitment, and to all those who on the stage or behind the stage work tirelessly to bring the carnival to what it is,” Mignot said.
