The Lagos State Government, in partnership with QDance Centre, is set to launch its inaugural International Cultural Festival, “Afropolis 2024,” on October 26. The festival carries the theme “We Need New Myth.”
Scheduled to run for nine days at the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Onikan, Lagos Island, the festival will showcase a diverse array of African cultures from various parts of Nigeria and the continent.
Afropolis is envisioned as an international celebration of arts, creativity, and innovation, attracting visitors and artists from Nigeria and beyond, including cities such as Kaduna, Kano, Jos, Ghana, Senegal, Lome, Addis Ababa, São Paulo, Amsterdam, Bologna, and various locations in the United States.
Inspired by globally recognized festivals like the Nottingham Carnival in the UK, Afropolis aims to become an annual highlight for thousands of visitors to Lagos.
During a briefing to unveil the festival’s activities, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described Afropolis as a groundbreaking event. She emphasized that it will celebrate Lagos’s rich cultural heritage and creative spirit over nine days.
“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 epicenter of African creativity, welcoming artists, innovators, and enthusiasts from across the continent and beyond,” she stated.
Key Activities:
- October 26: The festival kicks off with a VIP preview and cocktail, followed by a grand opening ceremony at The Vibez Stage and a fireside chat with Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat.
- October 27: A carnival procession will take place on Lagos Island during the official opening ceremony of the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.
- October 28: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will lead a tour of the centre.
Additional festival activities will include daily film programs, interactive art installations, and cultural dance performances. The closing weekend will feature an International Performance followed by a grand finale Afro House and EDM Rave on November 3.
“Afropolis is more than a festival; it is a platform for African creatives to come together, showcase their talents, exchange ideas, and collaborate on groundbreaking projects. It celebrates Lagos as the largest black cultural melting pot in the world, leading in various creative sectors such as music, fashion, gaming, tech, design, film, dance, AI, and research,” Benson-Awoyinka added.
Qudus Onikeku, the Artistic Director of Afropolis 2024, remarked, “The festival is a dream come true. Lagos, being the biggest black capital of the world, deserves to have a world-class cultural festival. We have been dreaming about this for over a year to give Lagos an international festival.”
Onikeku highlighted that the festival would positively impact the local economy, boosting the GDP of the state by providing local vendors an opportunity to showcase their goods, including food and artistic materials.
Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, expressed optimism that with Afropolis 2024, the state government could replicate the success of other international festivals.