By Sunday Osanyintuyi
The British Council has launched UK/Nigeria
2015–16, a
major season of arts in Nigeria aimed at building new audiences, creating new
collaborations and strengthening relationships between the UK and Nigeria.
The announcement, at the garden of the British
Council office in Ikoyi, Lagos, brought together, the crème de la crème of the
arts and creative industry in Nigeria.
With live poem recital from Wana Wana, popular
on air personality, speeches from Simon Shercliff, Acting British High
Commissioner to Nigeria; Connie Price, Country Director Nigeria, British
Council; Lola Shoneyin, Founder, author and founder of Ake Arts and Book
Festival; and a night of delightful music featuring DJ Sose and a live
performance from KPeace, Nigeria Idol season 5 winner known for his brand of
Fuji infused music, the event was a beautiful experience.
Showcasing the collaboration that the season
aims to achieve, the event was replete with several UK and Nigerian item like
tea cups, palm wine gourds, and wine glasses.
The event also featured a tie and dye session
where participants made tie and dye with Nike Arts Gallery.
“The British Council opens up opportunities for UK
organisations to work in Nigeria and for Nigerian organisations in the UK
contributing to prosperity in both our countries”, said Connie Price, Country
Director Nigeria, British Council. “It is my hope that each of these projects
creates new collaborations and strengthens the relationships between us.”
The activities during the season will begin in
September 2015 and run until April 2016, creating new connections in arts, education,
innovation, trade and investment.
Some of
the key season events will include a public sculpture in Lagos and the first
exhibition in Africa by Yinka Shonibare who most
famously did the Ship in a Bottle sculpture in Trafalgar Square, London;
performances in Lagos and London of a new piece by British musician Jamie
Cullum; and work by Candoco Dance Company created by world class choreographers
with a cast of disabled and non-disabled dancers from Nigeria and the UK.
UK/Nigeria 2015–16
is a major season of arts in Nigeria aimed at building new audiences, creating
new collaborations and strengthening relationships between the UK and Nigeria.
Programmed in
association with a host of partners, it features more than 30 projects and more
than 80 events in art, fashion, design, theatre, dance, music, literature and
film throughout Nigeria and includes showcases of Nigerian arts and creative
industries in the UK.
UK/Nigeria 2015–16
has a focus on creating access to art, new digital work, innovation, art in
public spaces and working with young people.
Partnerships
between Nigerian and British artists, institutions and organisations will be at
the heart of the season which aims to develop skills and capacity across the
creative industries.
The programme will
run until April 2016 creating new connections in arts, education, innovation,
trade and investment.
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