Events

Culturati Festival 2024: celebrating Africa’s diversity and unity in Lagos

Published

2 years ago

November 27, 2024

Culturati Festival 2024 celebrates African culture with vibrant showcases, youth empowerment, and economic growth at Lagos’ iconic Freedom Park.

The 18th edition of the Culturati Festival, a premier celebration of African culture and heritage, is set to take place from 5th to 7th December 2024 at Freedom Park, Lagos Island.

Themed “Celebrate Diversity and Unity,” the festival promises a dynamic showcase of Africa’s rich cultural mosaic, blending tradition with modernity in the vibrant city of Lagos.

Also read: Lagos Govt Set To Promote Cross-Cultural Heritage At Culturella Festival

Organised by Culturati Africa in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, this year’s festival features initiatives that go beyond entertainment.

Among these is the Culturati Community Library, a platform advocating for literacy and cultural education, ensuring that the region’s heritage remains accessible and impactful for future generations.

At a recent press conference, Adetola Bakinson, CEO of Culturati Africa, highlighted the festival’s mission as more than a celebration.

“Culturati is a movement dedicated to promoting cultural diversity, fostering empowerment, and creating economic and creative growth across the continent,” she stated.

This year’s festival includes a trade fair for nearly 100 SMEs, organised in partnership with Naijabrandchick, offering businesses visibility, networking opportunities, and access to a broader audience.

The initiative underscores the festival’s focus on economic empowerment, particularly within Lagos’ vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Culturati Academy, another key initiative, has already empowered over 10,000 young Nigerians with skills in digital marketing, video production, and content creation.

Bakinson reaffirmed the festival’s commitment to equipping more youth with the tools needed to thrive in creative industries, driving sustainable growth in the cultural sector.

Freedom Park, a former colonial-era prison turned arts and culture hub, will undergo further transformation during the festival.

As a symbol of resilience and freedom, the venue will be refurbished to enhance its appeal as a major cultural and tourist landmark.

“This isn’t just a festival,” Bakinson concluded, “It’s a movement for culture, empowerment, and economic growth. By integrating cultural diversity into Lagos’ development agenda, we aim to boost the state’s economy and reaffirm its status as a global cultural destination.”

The Culturati Festival 2024 promises to attract dignitaries, creatives, and tourists from around the world, solidifying Lagos as a beacon of African culture and unity.

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

3 weeks ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.