Events

US honours Soyinka, Nike Okundaye for global art impact

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2025

The US Pennsylvania legislature has honoured Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and Chief Nike Okundaye for their immense global contributions to art and culture

The United States government, through resolutions passed by both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania Senate, has bestowed significant honours on Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and renowned African art icon, Chief Nike Okundaye of Nike Art Gallery, Lagos.

The accolades recognise their profound and enduring contributions to the world of art, both within Nigeria and on a global scale.

Professor Wole Soyinka was presented with “Distinguished Honors” for his extraordinary achievements in literature, his significant impact on culture, his unwavering advocacy for human rights, and his influential role in global discourse. Chief Nike Okundaye, on the other hand, was honoured for her revolutionary impact on contemporary African art.

Chief Okundaye received specific recognition as the pioneering force behind the Adire resist-dyeing technique. Her innovative approach seamlessly blends traditional ancestral motifs with modern aesthetic sensibilities, garnering international acclaim and solidifying her legacy as a vital custodian of African heritage and artistic traditions.

The prestigious honours were conferred upon the two Nigerian icons on March 26th during the unveiling ceremony of the African Cultural Festival 2025, held at the Pennsylvania State Capitol. The highly anticipated festival itself is scheduled to take place in Pennsylvania from September 19th to 20th, 2025.

The Senate of Pennsylvania lauded Professor Soyinka for his groundbreaking role in shaping modern African literature and for his relentless and courageous advocacy for fundamental principles such as free speech, social justice, and democracy.

Similarly, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Joanna E. McClinton, commended Professor Soyinka for his unparalleled literary achievements and for his remarkable ability to inspire critical thought and intellectual engagement across numerous generations.

Chief Nike Okundaye’s honour also highlighted her profound impact on the lives of marginalised women. She has been instrumental in training and empowering over 5,000 women with essential Adire-making, weaving, and other traditional craft skills, providing them with pathways to economic independence.

“Her mission to foster economic independence and cultural continuity has empowered communities across Nigeria and beyond, ensuring that African artistry thrives in future generations,” jointly stated the House and the Senate in their resolutions.

Speaking about the upcoming African Cultural Festival, Wole Adeniyi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ACI234, explained that the event is meticulously designed to celebrate the richness and diversity of African heritage.

It also aims to foster meaningful international collaboration and stimulate robust trade and cultural exchange between Africa, the United States, and the wider global community.

Mr. Adeniyi emphasised the festival’s potential to solidify Africa’s cultural influence on the world stage while simultaneously creating sustainable pathways for economic growth and fostering artistic innovation across the continent.

He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, the Senate, and the entire State of Pennsylvania for their esteemed recognition of the two distinguished Nigerian icons of art.

Part of the planned activities for the festival includes the launch of Duduplugs, an innovative digital platform developed by ACI234 Entertainment LLC. This platform is designed to connect creative industries across different continents, thereby further elevating Africa’s burgeoning creative economy.

Commenting on the forthcoming event, Festival Director Foluke Michael described the African Cultural Festival as a vibrant celebration of tradition and innovation – a dynamic fusion of Africa’s timeless heritage with the exciting expressions of contemporary art and culture.

Ms. Michael also acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Lagos State Government in laying the groundwork for this significant global movement through the Lagos Black Heritage Festival. This influential festival was expertly steered by Professor Wole Soyinka during his tenure as Festival Consultant.

“That era gave birth to a cultural renaissance,” Ms. Michael noted. “It was during that time that the iconic Rhumble in Lagos — featuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and boxing legend Evander Holyfield — became a symbolic moment that planted the seed for what we now know as the African Cultural Festival.”

She further announced that the official countdown to the highly anticipated 2025 edition of the African Cultural Festival will commence in Lagos at the end of April, setting the stage for a truly global celebration of African excellence in art, culture, and innovation.

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Culture

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

Published

2 days 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.