NAFEST rebranding to embrace streaming, include talent discovery

NAFEST, the National Festival for Arts and Culture, is an annual event organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture.

It typically features cultural dances, children’s drama, indigenous fabric, and fashion components.

Asika, in an interview with NAN, said the festival is rebranding to focus more on capacity building for creatives and talent discovery.

He said there will be more partnerships and live streaming of the festival for the forthcoming edition.

Asika added that the live streaming of the event is to build people’s interest in it, particularly children.

“NAFEST this year is critical to us, we are planning on rebranding NAFEST as we have engaged development partners, private sector partners, reality show development partners and more,’ he said.

“The minister of arts, culture, and creative economy has developed a specific roadmap and has discussed with states to re-key into the programme.

“Another way we are rebranding the festival is that NAFEST will be made a live event, to be showcased on DSTV channels, YouTube, Trace and all. We want to engage a lot of people.

My over 30 years of experience as a producer will be brought to the fore.

“I want a situation whereby kids will be able to watch NAFEST in the comfort of their homes, and they will be looking forward to subsequent editions of NAFEST.

“I want people to see NAFEST as our Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC).

“We have several things that will be different about NAFEST this year. We will have eight art galleries in Abuja running exhibitions around past editions of NAFEST. Eighty per cent of the festival will be held at the Artist Village.”

Asika further revealed NAFEST 2024 edition is themed ‘Connected Culture’.

He said the theme is inspired by the similarities in Nigerian cultures and to encourage cultural integration.

“Our cultures are so connected, it is just different generations and perceptions,” he added.

“What the younger people are doing is re-inventing what the older ones have done.

Our main problem is our inability to translate our culture to one another.

“Ogun states Ojude-Oba, Anambra states Ofala, and Kano states Durbar are all festivals that are connected.

“The difference is just the manner they are celebrated.

NAFEST is the avenue to translate this to one another so that we can celebrate our culture together.”

The 2024 NAFEST is set to be held from November 22 to November 30.

The programmes lined up for the festival include cooking competitions, fashion shows, dance-offs, sing-offs, and traditional games.

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