The Ekiti State Government has said that the Ekiti International Theatre Festival, holding in the state this week, is targeted at identifying young talents and contributing to the making of a global image for the state.
The Festival Director, Prof. Rasaki Bakare, said that the event, which is a public-private partnership between Duke of Somolu Foundation and the state Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, would use theatre to promote tourism.
Bakare, speaking at a sensitisation programme in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Monday, said: ‘The festival will further foster economic growth and cultural exchange in the state. Over 50,000 tourists are expected in the state for the maiden edition, held between 20 and 25 August. It will feature performances and visits to tourist sites in the state’.
Bakare, a former Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, urged the people of the state ‘to support a successful hosting of the theatre festival with your attendance at the events and your warmth and reception. Bringing this festival is part of our efforts to mainstream creative arts into the economy of Ekiti State’.
He further said: ‘We want to use theatre to attract tourists to the state. Through this festival, we are also contributing to the making of a global image for our state.
‘Our intention is to keep this franchise in the state for the next five years. This can be achieved based on the encouragement by our people. It is free of charge for all the activities and performances’, Bakare said.
The Professor of Dance and Performing Arts, said, ‘The content of the festival, which will hold between 20th and 25th August at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre in Ado Ekiti, is designed in a way that Ekiti State is mapped into the traditional 16 local government.
‘Each of the 16 local government areas will bring a theatrical performance. The LGAs will showcase their theatrical talents, with the top four earning prizes and awards. The competition is part of a broader initiative by the Duke of Shomolu Foundation to identify and nurture young talents for future opportunities in the creative arts industry.
‘The festival is to enable us identify young talents for purpose of exposure, training, mentorship and development so that they break into the existing big creative arts market’, he said.
Bakare, also said that the festival would feature three command performances ‘to celebrate Nigeria’s historical figures such as Ladi Kwali, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Chief Moshood Abiola.
‘The first command performance is a play titled ‘Ladi Kwali’ written and directed by Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare. The second command performance is a play titled ‘Sardauna’, written and directed by Prof. Hammed Yerimah; and the third is a play, titled ‘Kashimawo’, written and directed by Prof. Bakare.
‘All three command performances are historical plays, meant to teach morals and to teach young people, especially the history of Nigeria’, the don said.
He said that prominent traditional rulers, captains of industry, artistes, stakeholders and other eminent Nigerians were also expected to be part of the festival.
