All the fun of the fair
The Commonwealth Fair was the perfect tonic to infuse some festive cheer in the diplomatic corps. Missions from 34 Commonwealth countries joined together for a festival of world food, music and dance with a steel band from Trinidad and Tobago, Bollywood dancing, some serious booty-shaking from the Bahamas and a beauty pageant in which Miss Nigeria was crowned Miss Commonwealth. In between all that guests could snap up arts and craft from around the world – from Sri Lankan silver to South African beadwork. Reminding guests where the proceeds of the fair go was an inspirational speech by Ladi Dariya from Nigeria, whose education was sponsored by the Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund.