A celebrity out of Africa

TV host found fame in Japan, but has given that all up to be part of the Expo 2010 Shanghai, Tang Zhihao reports.

African celebrity Adogony Baudouin Euloge has put his high-flying career in Japan on hold to lend his talents to the Joint Africa Pavilion at the Expo 2010 Shanghai.

Euloge, a television host and actor in Japan, said he moved to Shanghai because he believes the Joint Africa Pavilion is not only just a physical location but also an emotional center.

The well-known celebrity, from the western African country of Benin, worked in Japan for about 10 years, but has put that all aside to organize and host cultural performances at the Joint African Pavilion.

"I met many friends from Africa," said Euloge. "It makes me feel at home."

Having lived overseas for more than 10 years, Euloge said the Expo presented a great opportunity for him to revisit his life in Africa.

"Africa remains a mysterious land for many people, it is a good chance for me to introduce this great continent to the world. I have no regrets for giving up my career in Japan."

It is the second time Euloge has participated in a World Expo. He was selected as a goodwill ambassador for the Joint Africa Pavilion at the Expo 2005 Aichi.

He said his job at Expo Shanghai gives him more chances to interact with visitors, a big difference from being a goodwill ambassador.

"There are many culture programs that are conducted in local languages, which true meanings cannot be fully captured by visitors," said Euloge.

"I like this job because I can interpret the idea behind the performances and visitors can look inside Africa."

For his Expo performances, Euloge ordered 12 outfits in different colors that feature African elements. On the first day of the Expo on May 1, Euloge wore blue because "blue is the color of Haibao (the Expo mascot)".

After performing in the Expo Garden for about two weeks, he has gained popularity in the Joint Africa Pavilion for his passion. He is known for the performance of Stories Told by Lulu. Lulu is Euloge's stage name.

"He tells stories about all kind of things in Africa including food and friendship, which we have never heard about," said Li Yingchun, an Expo visitor from outside Shanghai.

The 36-year-old Euloge has excellent language skills, speaking fluent Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, English and French. This makes him a valuable asset at the Joint Africa Pavilion, as he is able to communicate with people from all over the world.

Euloge's Chinese is so flawless that he has performed Xiangsheng, a traditional Chinese cross-talk comedy, with Dashan, the Chinese stage name adopted by Canadian Mark Henry Rowswell, who is the commissioner general of the Canada Pavilion at the Expo.

"I performed Xiangsheng because I think it is a show that could make everyone laugh and it is a good way to share happiness," said Euloge.

However, visitors to the Expo Garden may be disappointed because Euloge said he probably will not perform Xiangsheng with Dashan again. "We are friends, but we are too busy with our work."

Euloge went to Japan after he obtained his postgraduate degree in China in 2000.

"Studying and working overseas makes me more confident in dealing with complex culture-related matters," he said.

Witnessing tremendous changes in China, especially the economic performance after the financial crisis, Euloge has decided he'll stay in China after the Expo. "The presentation in this pavilion is focusing on the traditional culture, which does not really reflect the modern life in Africa," said Euloge. "I want to be a link that connects China and Africa after the Expo."

(China Daily 05/21/2010 page36)