ADIRE HERITAGE FESTIVAL 2017
The Adire heritage festival took place at Freedom park on Broad street, Marina, Lagos Island, formerly known as the old prison ground which is now a public place.
The Festival was pioneered by Mr Komolafe Omotunde, now the "Bobato of 'Ilu Ilodo' alongside with other African culture promoter to promote creativity, Africa culture and heritage, because they believed Africa is variedly rich in varieties of talented individuals in art which must be promoted.
The first festival took place in Austria in which the "Kabiesi; Oba Ilu Ilodo" was present to launch it in 2013, which has been continuously repeated since then till present.
The 2017 festival was a three day continuous program which started Thursday 7th to 9th of September.
Poets In Nigeria stand was at the left side of the park where the 'Eyo statue is', in which they displayed varieties of books from different authors and Adire materials too, beside the stand was the stage of honor for poetry readings and performances.
I took a little walk round the park and its beautiful environs to see other stands showcasing their beautiful work of arts like Adire attires, paintings, wood carvings, crafts, cultural artifacts and lots more, I saw white women and other Nigerians patronising the crafts, of course I'm marveled by the striking and stunning work of arts I saw, Indeed Africa is truly blessed with magic fingers.
The Mc; Fr33zinPaul kicked off the program with the dancing game among the kids, you really needed to see how those kids danced to the rhythm of the music popularly known as "Wo by Olamide" and others. The Adults later joined, you will be shocked by the way big mums and dads were shaking their butts, couples were not left out, the game ended with Poets, they said poet are boring, but I watched them danced live on the stage, each winner went home with a copy of Poetry anthology.
It's Time for poetry reading and performance, Bankole known as (BankHall) was the first to perform his poem titled "Before now", followed by Benjamin.
After Benjamin Elemide, the Adire heritage children, slided through to dance round the park in their cultural costume.
Prince Charles continued with the poetry performance, followed by McNaevetts.
Poets in Nigeria members collectively performed a drama-like poetry titled "Ode to Adire", featuring; Miss Funke Awodiya, McNaevetts, Prince Charles, Olaitan Mariam, Solutionist Clementina, Lawal kafayat Gold and Arch Angel, Bankole was the drummer.
After the poetry drama, The PIN President; Eriata Oribhabor mounted the stage to give his speech where he appreciated a woman known as Mrs Ajoke.
Miss Funke Esther Awodiya, the Author of the "The farmers daughter" was called to the stage to dance, and she was interviewed by the Mc about her personal life, her journey into the literary world and her achievement so far. She read her poem titled "Sisi Alagbo" from her book.
After the brief interview, The "Kabiesi Oba Ilu Ilodo" walked majestically in, everyone stood up to greet him, he continued his journey round the park to see other stands.
The Adire children performed their heritage poem, you would be amazed with these brilliant kids eloquent speech and articulation, they swept the audience off their feet.
You haven't seen anything, as if it was the beginning. Mr Sodiq Ajibola, an Architect also a poet, gave a brief introduction about himself and his creative arts mission, he rounded up with his poem titled "I exist".
Miss Amarachi Atamah,an Igbo Poetess mounted the stage to dance her cultural dancing steps and she performed her poetry in her mother's own tongue. A wonderful depiction from her.
Towards the evening, Miss JYC an award winning Poetess, a member of PIN celebrated her birthday, she cut the cake along side with the PIN President and Mrs Ajoke. She ended up performing her poem titled "This pen is painful", but it seems the audience couldn't get enough of her, she was asked to perform again and again, she later performed "This night" and "Dear beautiful", it was a brilliant and amazing performances. She left after dancing to the rhythm of the music.
BankHall resurfaced again to performed his poem titled "Iwo Ni" (God you are the one).
The night loomed, it's time for Adire Heritage Awards, Mr Tunde the festival pioneer called upon the Kabiesi "Oba Ilodo" to present the awards.
The Kabiesi commended the effort of Mr Tunde for pioneering the festival which is to promote creativity, Africa culture and heritage, He said he was at the first festival in Austria and he predicted that Adire heritage festival would gradually evolve to become something international, in which the whole world would come to celebrate African own culture and heritage.
He rounded up with an advice to the youth to keep promoting our own culture and heritage.
Finally he presented awards to the pioneers of Adire heritage festival, The PIN President was also awarded for promoting African poetry, some of the PIN members was also awarded like; Miss Funke Awodiya, Prince Charles, Arch Angel, Olaitan Mariam, lawal kafayat Gold and Fr33zinPaul.
Kabiesi left, it's time for the night show at the park food court and the audience moved there, where the live bands and music took place.
It was indeed a memorable event.
©® Jamiu Ahmed
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