Organisers of Culturati, Africa’s biggest cultural showcase, have announced that 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.
Culturati is Africa’s largest cultural fusion and for 17 years has dedicatedly remained a catalyst for the creative economy, consistently creating opportunities for African creatives and SMEs to leverage on.
The programme annually brings together Africans to explore the many aspects of Africa’s rich and diverse culture in an attempt to establish culture and the arts as veritable tools for social cohesion, youth development, tourism and economic empowerment.
Now in its 17th year, the 2023 edition of the annual cultural fiesta will be preceded by a symposium themed: Enhancing Africa’s Economy Through Investments in Culture, Arts & Tourism on November 16, at Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos at noon.
According to a schedule of events, the main event will feature a beachside exhibition of food, fashion, arts, etc, slated to run from 11am between November 30 and December 2 at Sol Beach, Victoria Island, while the grand finale will take place at 6pm on December 3rd at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Project Coordinator for Culturati 2023, Tiwashayo Odugbesan, assured cultural enthusiasts and the arts community that this year’s event has been specially curated to give attendees and participants a broader feel of the African experience on what she called “a global canvas.”
“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’s African culture on a global canvas,” Odugbesan told journalists in Lagos.
She added that this year’s event 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 Odugbesan, the theme for this year’s Culturati is, “Exploring Opportunities in African Culture for Economic Development via Strategic Investments in Tech, Tourism & Art.”
Created originally as Sisi Oge in 2006, Culturati has evolved over the years to become an important part of the entertainment landscape in Lagos, drawing local and foreign visitors annually.
