Lagos holds nine-day international festival of arts

The Lagos State Government is gearing up to host ‘Afropolis Lagos 2024’, a nine-day international festival of arts, culture, creativity, and innovation.

The event, scheduled to run from October 26 to November 3, 2024, is expected to transform Lagos into an epicentre of African creativity, with a line-up of diverse activities celebrating the city’s rich cultural heritage and the creative spirit of its people.

The event is being organised by the state government, in partnership with The QDANCE CENTRE.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, announced the festival during a press conference held on Wednesday at the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Onikan, Lagos Island.

“Afropolis is not just an event; it is a celebration of our identity, a showcase of our talents, and a testament to the power of creativity to unite and inspire.

“From October 26 to November 3, Lagos will become the epicentre of African creativity, welcoming artists, innovators, and enthusiasts from across the continent and beyond.

“Our opening day, October 26, will kick off with a VIP preview and cocktail, followed by a grand opening ceremony at The Vibez Stage. We are honoured to host a fireside chat with our esteemed Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, where we will explore Lagos’ role as a hub for the global African creative economy.

“On October 27, the streets of Lagos Island will come alive with a vibrant carnival procession, embodying the spirit and energy of our people. The day will culminate in the Afropolis Global African Vibez Exchange, a testament to our commitment to fostering international collaborations,” she said.

According to the commissioner, the event is “a celebration of Lagos as the largest black cultural melting pot in the world, a city that continues to lead in various creative sectors such as music, fashion, gaming, tech, design, film, dance, AI, and research.”

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the occasion would be an avenue for Lagos to showcase its talents and bring foreign trends to localities in the state.

“We’ve got our own arts, our own culture, our expertise. And, as all of you have seen since Toke came on board, so many things have happened in this sector.

“From what we have seen nowadays, we know that all those things are just the tip of the iceberg. And that the real deal is just about to start,” Omotoso said.

The founder and artistic director of Afropolis, Qudus Onikeku, said Afropolis is a place that “defines itself as Africa – an African-diaspora-focused festival.”

“In the programme, there will be visual art exhibitions, there will be dance performances, there will be music concerts, there will be dance competitions, there will be pop-up arts spaces, there will be children’s corner, what we call the play zone,” he said.