Expert urges AU to make FESTAC quadrennial event

An art expert, Julius Iyighiojie, has called on the African Union to host the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) as a quadrennial event to foster unity across Africa.

Iyighiojie, the Chief Executive Officer, LVI Art Gallery and Cultural Nexus, said this in an interview with the newsmen on Friday in Lagos.

According to him, hosting FESTAC, like the Olympics and the World Cup, is capable of further uniting Africans.

He said that since Africa is known as the home of creativity, such potential should be showcased to the world, to constantly reinforce that fact.

“A replica of FESTAC, held in 1977, should be done where Africa’s music; literature; fine art; drama; dance; fashion and religion can be showcased, to boost the continent’s tourism and revenue base.”

According to him, the festival can be done in such a way that each African country takes the hosting right every four years, and held for a month.

“We should make FESTAC a global event like the Olympics and the World Cup. Africa must take ownership of arts and culture, because we are known for creativity in arts and culture.

“Olympics was brought for people to stop war, because man was discovered to be competitive in nature and instead of fighting, the space of sports was explored.

“I want us, as Africans to own something, which is arts and culture, where our strong strength and ancestral heritage lie.

“The World cup is owned by the British, they are the owner of football, the Olympics is also owned by the Greek and adopted by the Europeans, I want Africans to own FESTAC as well.

“We have the capacity to do this, our musical strength; Nok culture; Benin bronze; Egyptian Pyramid; Kenya and Rwanda Safari; beautiful coastal area for boat regatta and many other potential to be showcased to the world,” he said.

The art collector said that FESTAC, which would be a tourist event, would provide a veritable platform for global expose for African arts and artistes.

According to him, the festival will be a means of employment for African youths, as well as revenue generating avenue for the continent.

“This will also be a source of inspiration for young Africans.

“In view of the fact that so many things divide us, we should be deliberate in pushing the festival as a platform to unite us as Africans.

“The African Union should mandate all Africans to explore hosting FESTAC every four years,” he said.