Celebrity Travel: Go Away With Angelique Kidjo
Grammy Award-winning musician Angelique Kidjo says that being named UNICEF's International Goodwill ambassador in 2002 has been a fulfilling part of her life. "It gave me the opportunity to travel to all the other continents and meet incredible women who carry the continents on their shoulders," says the New York-based artist. "They are the main inspiration behind my songs."
The multi-faceted activist has also been named the new anchor of United Nations Television's news series, "21eme Siecle" ("21st Century"). The program focuses on humanitarian issues worldwide. Fans may follow Kidjo on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/angeliquekidjo, where she posts many of her travel photos.
Q. What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?
A. The main lesson I learn goes against all the trends of the news today. Through my many concerts, I've discovered that our cultures are not so different. We are one humanity with so much in common. Politicians are always trying to emphasize our differences to stay in power, which is a sad story that keeps repeating itself.
Q. What is your favorite destination?
A. I have two favorite spots. One is Ouidah, the village where my family comes from in Benin. It holds a lot of history as it is a place where many of the slaves left the continent, but it is also very alive with culture and music. We even have the only contemporary art museum in Sub Saharian Africa. The other one is GoldenEye Hotel and Resort in Jamaica. It is the perfect spot to relax and get inspired. It is not far from Montego Bay and is situated between a lagoon and the sea. The owner, Chris Blackwell (founder of Island Records), discovered me in Paris. He has been able to recreate the spirit of Island Records in a hotel. That is just magical.
Q. To someone who was going there for the first time, what would you recommend that they do during their visit?
A. In Ouidah, I would recommend visiting the enormous beach and the "Porte Du Non Retour," a monument dedicated to the slaves who left Africa. But you also have to visit the Temple of the Python, a traditional landmark, which showcases how alive and vibrant our culture is there.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?
A. My first trip was going to Nigeria with my mom for a wedding. I was two months old. The story goes that I had a fever and would keep on crying to the point that my mom got scared and came back to Benin. As soon as I came home and went into my father's arms, I stopped crying and my fever disappeared. You can understand that my mother was pretty upset. I had just spoiled her trip!
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