Lagos: An exhibition designed to showcase the life, musical, and enduring legacy of the late Afrobeats pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will open in Lagos in October. The exhibition, themed ‘Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: Afrobeat Rebellion’, is organized by Whitespace Creative Arts (AWCA) Foundation, with support from the French Embassy in Nigeria, the Kuti family, and Ecobank.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the 10-week cultural programme will run from October 12 to December 28, featuring a rich blend of archives, music, cinema, talks, workshops, fashion, and youth engagement. Speaking at a news conference in Lagos, Mr. Laurent Favier, Consul-General of the French Embassy in Lagos, highlighted France’s long-standing admiration for Fela Kuti, extending beyond his music to his activism.
Favier noted that the exhibition was initially conceived by the Philharmonie de Paris – Cit© de la Musique in 2022 and curated by French and Nigerian experts. The Paris edition drew wide acclaim, attracting 60,000 visitors within a month. This Lagos edition is anticipated to be even more dynamic, with more archives, resources, and active participation from the Kuti family.
In her remarks, Ms. Onoshiokhue Ako, Project Lead and Culture Producer of Afrobeat Rebellion, emphasized the exhibition’s aim to create a cohesive experience that resonates across generations. She thanked the Philharmonie de Paris for pioneering this significant cultural exhibition and expressed gratitude to Ecobank for providing a venue for the event.
Curator and founder of June Creative Art Advisory, Seun Alli, addressed the essence of reimagining the exhibition. Alli noted the importance of presenting Fela as a public intellectual whose music and philosophy are deeply intertwined with Africa’s social, political, and intellectual histories. The exhibition aims to reposition Fela beyond the often-reduced narratives surrounding his persona.
Omoboye Odu, Head of SMEs, Partnerships, and Collaborations at Ecobank, expressed pride in hosting Afrobeat Rebellion, viewing it as a statement of Africa’s creative power and resilience. Fela’s legacy, according to Odu, is not only Nigerian but African and global.
Fela’s son, Femi Kuti, also expressed his appreciation for the continued recognition and honor of his father’s legacy, acknowledging the enduring understanding of Fela’s mission and values.
