The grand finale of this year’s Osun Osogbo Festival attracted a multicultural crowd from five continents, who trooped to the Sacred Grove, Isale-Osun in Osogbo on August 19 to witness the heralding of a new year of the state through the 600-year-old tradition of the people.

The visitors received the prayers of Iya-Osun, accompanied by Adi Olori Isa, with other priestesses, who went about offering prayers for the people at the grove. A female Chinese visitor, Wang Xiu Ying, speaking on why she has travelled thousands of miles to grace the festival, said: “We give culture top priority in China and we, as humans in general, are cultural beings. So, we must do everything possible to preserve age-long traditions of people around the world.”

Ying further stated that to preserve cultures and traditional institutions, it takes commitment from culturally responsible people and corporate entities.The festival ended on a very happy note, with the Goldberg Beer Village and legendary Fuji icon, Saheed Osupa, adding colour to the popular yearly event.