Honoring ODUNDE on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary and Lois Fernandez, President of ODUNDE.

WHEREAS, ODUNDE is an annual African-American holiday festival that celebrates the coming of another year and the opportunity for renewal for African-Americans; and

WHEREAS,

The festival began in 1975, modeled after the experiences of Ms. Lois Fernandez when she attended the annual African festival of Oshun held in Oshogbo, Nigeria; and

WHEREAS, It is an occasion marked by joy and hope, a joy which is highlighted by a colorful procession to the Schuylkill River where offerings of fruit and flowers are made to Oshun, the Goddess of Love and Rivers; and

WHEREAS,

The scope and magnitude of the festival has steadily increased. Attendance at the festival has surpassed 300,000, it has earned international recognition and has attracted acclaimed performers of the African Diaspora; and

WHEREAS, ODUNDE has expanded from a one day event to a year round organization as ODUNDE, Inc. now serves school age children, as well as others, with cultural programs and activities; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its 25 year history ODUNDE has been a model for promoting joy togetherness and understanding to all Philadelphians; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, That we honor ODUNDE and its founder, Lois Fernandez, on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the festival.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Lois Fernandez as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End