Lagos unveils 9-days art festival, AFROPOLIS 2024, for October-November

Patrick Okohue

The Lagos State Government in conjunction with AFRIPOLIS, Lagos has unveiled a nine days arts festival to hold from October 26 to November 3 in the state.

Unveiling the planned festival, tagged AFROPOLIS 2024, which will be held in Onikan and its environ, at the J.Randle Centre For Yoruba Culture And History, Onikan, Lagos, yesterday at the town hall meeting preceding the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commissioner For Tourism, Arts and Culture, MRS. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said the event will be a celebration of “our rich cultural heritage, creativity and innovation.”

The Commissioner said, “It is a platform where African creatives can come together to showcase their talents, exchange ideas, and collaborate on groundbreaking projects. This festival is a testament to the vibrant and dynamic spirit of our continent.

“Lagos, as the host city, is proud to be at the forefront of this cultural revolution. Our city is renowned as the largest black cultural melting pot in the world, and we continue to lead in various creative sectors such as music, fashion, gaming, tech, design, film, dance, AI, and research. Our young talents are making significant strides on the global stage, and events like AFROPOLIS provide them with the visibility and opportunities they deserve.

“Over the past few years, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has been committed to supporting and nurturing our creative industries. We have made significant investments in infrastructure, such as renovating key cultural sites and establishing new venues for arts and performances. These efforts ensure that our artists have the platforms they need to thrive.

“The essence of AFROPOLIS lies in its ability to bring together a diverse array of creative minds. Imagine the vibrant fusion of traditional and modern expressions that will be on display, from indigenous crafts to cutting-edge digital art. This melting pot of ideas and talents promises to be an unforgettable experience for both participants and attendees,” she added.

According to her, AFROPOLIS, scheduled for the end of October through to early November, will transform Onikan’s main street, J. Randle Road, into a vibrant hub of artistic and technological excellence. The festival, she said will feature a curated marketplace, traditional and contemporary performances, exhibitions, and much more. It will bring together creatives, innovators, and enthusiasts from across the continent and beyond.

Speaking earlier, at the event which was attended by top government functionaries, prominent persons in the art and entertainment industry and the diplomatic corps including the Managing Director of the National Theater,Tola Akerele, the German Consul General, Weert Borner; India Consul General, Chandramaoni Kumarkern; the Consul General of the Netherland among others, the co-converner of the festival and founder of Afripolis, Qudus Onikeku, said the dream has been long in coming and kick-starting it will be a dream come true.

The event according to him will include creative of different genre coming together to showcase their arts and creativity, exhibitions, open spoken poetry, music, dance, stage drama.

While noting that it will be a hybrid event which will hold both virtually and physically and will hold both indoors and out doors across the streets and roads around Onikan, adding that they are building an app that make navigating activities around the event easy and financial exchange seamless.