Organisers of the 17th edition of Culturati, a cultural fair, have scheduled the event for Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 in Lagos. Tiwasayo Odugbesan, Project Coordinator for Culturati, disclosed this during a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos.
Odugbesan said that the 2023 edition had been deliberately designed to run through four days as more programmes had been infused into the event.
She revealed the theme for Culturati as “Exploring Opportunities in African Culture for Economic Development via Strategic Investments in Tech, Tourism & Art”.
“This year’s edition will break with tradition and run for four days, instead of one, to provide a richer content and variety for Lagosians and visitors.
“It will feature art exhibitions and competitions, fashion shows, a food village, talent hunt, games, music, an award ceremony and assorted displays of entertainment.
“According to the schedule of events, the main event will feature a beachside exhibition of food, fashion, arts and more slated to run from 11am between Nov. 30 and Dec.2 at Sol Beach, Victoria Island.
“The grand finale will take place at 6pm on December 3rd at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.
“This year, we are serving out a far richer variety of the entire artistic and cultural spectrum that will cater to everyone regardless of nationality, ethnic origin or cultural orientation.
It is African culture on a global canvas,” she said. According to Odugbesan, a pre-event symposium has also been organised to hold on Nov. 16 with the theme “Enhancing Africa’s Economy Through Investments in Culture, Arts & Tourism”, at University of Lagos.
She said the symposium would feature several top-notch leaders in contemporary art including Chioma Ude, founder of the African International Film Festival, who will deliver the keynote address.
“Several prominent names in the Nigerian entertainment industry will be on hand to join the panel sessions and drive conversations. “We look to drawing in the younger generation to understand and appreciate the value of culture and the need for cultural identity in the modern global miliue,” she said
Odugbesan explained that Culturati had remained a catalyst for the creative economy, consistently creating opportunities for African creatives and SMEs to leverage. She said the programme annually brings together Africans to explore the many aspects of the continent’s rich and diverse culture.
According to her, this is an attempt to establish culture and the arts as veritable tools for social cohesion, youth development, tourism and economic empowerment. Speaking on the success stories achieved in the past 16 years, Funmi Ojo, Head of Brands and Communications for Culturati, noted that the culturati academy had produced successful visual artists, actors, fashion entrepreneurs and more. Ojo said majority of the programmes were scheduled to hold at the beach deliberately to infuse nature.
“We can lay claim to lots of achievements, Nancy Isime is our product at Culturati and several others, doing well today. “The 2023 edition promises to be eventful, you can imagine having Jollof rice port at the beach, visual artists having their exhibition at the beach. Also we have prizes to be won for various competitions,” she said. Ojo said that Culturati was created originally as “Sisi Oge” in 2006 and had evolved over the years to become an important part of the entertainment landscape in Lagos, drawing local and foreign visitors annually. Also, one the partners for Culturati, Mr Olanrewaju Kuyesi, Chief Executive Officer, GodMade Homes Luxury, said, “We have a wonderful partnership with Culturati to take the cultural fair to the next level.
“Overtime, we have been providing residential apartments for people across Lagos, so for Culturati, we are showcasing that we can provide hospitality and tourism appartments with reflection of our culture in our creativity,” he said.
Titilayo Oyinso, Executive Assistant to the convener of Culturati, encouraged the youth to participate in the mini masterclasses organised for intending visual artists. She said this would guide them on the business of creative arts.
