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The Lagos sunset tale of a Vorarlberg embroidery master
Posted By tosan On December 19, 2010 @ 2:22 pm In Fashion | No Comments
Lagos Nigeria, the port city on the Gulf of Guinea is on the verge of
being tagged the largest mega-city in Africa. Those who try their luck
here, come from all over the country as well as neighboring states. They
come in search of the “golden egg” or for their share of the “National
cake”. Very few are able to manage the hustle.
In one of the suburbs around the International airport, Rudi Bösch sits in
his office while supervising his embroidery production. It is not easy for
him. Bösch is the last owner of the business who tries to update a
remarkable history of Vorarlberg Austria as an African fabric product
export country.
In the 1960’s, Nigeria recognized that Vorarlberg was capable of
producing ideal materials for colorful national costumes. These fabrics
are adorned during all major family events; baby naming and baptism,
weddings, religious holidays such as Christmas, birthdays and funerals.
The 57-year-old can remember 25 embroidery producers from
Vorarlberg, who then settled in Lagos. Whenever and wherever a grand
celebration arises, the top products from Lustenau and surroundings are
to be seen. That’s history now.
Despite the economic and social adversity in Lagos, Rudi observes that
the country is flooded with cheap Chinese goods. He also complains
secretly that he receives no help from the local banks. Rudi also
documents that his customers do not always pay for ordered goods and
regrets that Nigerians now have hardly any money for their celebrations.
Rudi, a typical stubborn Austrian does not give up so easily perhaps
because he has fallen in love with this country and its people. He really
has. After all, he is married to a Nigerian woman.
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As the business diminishes through the years, Rudi Bosch is supported
by his friend; Heinz König, an ordained Nigerian chief. In the small
village outside of Lagos where the Lustenauer lived from 1976 for 18
years, they have named him “the Chief”; which means more than just a
successful integration.
In retirement, Heinz says he was a little bit bored. And somehow as
Chief he must look after his people’s affairs. He still knows how to work
the old embroidery and sewing machines, which still run well at Rudi´s
place. Since the foreman in the factory of Rudi still performs, there is no
standing still anymore.
Is he the boss at home too? Mr. König smiles, and then he says proudly,
“I think so, because otherwise my wife would not let me go.”
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by Kurier reporters and translated by Silke Jurkowitsch in Austria for Trendy Africa
Media.
Article printed from Trendy Africa: http://trendyafrica.com
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vorarlberg-embroidery-master/
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