Ahead of ITANSAN Artfest, Convener Adewunmi speaks on culture, creativity and youth participation

By David Olatunji 

In preparation for the upcoming ITANSAN Artfest, scheduled to happen next week Friday at the Adeline Hall, Lead City University, Ibadan, the festival convener, Adewunmi Adekunle, shared with The Lagos Voice’s editor, David Olatunji, in an interview, about the essence, expectations, cultural relevance, and, in whole, why many young Nigerians should participate in the festival. Excerpt

The Lagos Voice: For people hearing about ITANSAN ARTFEST for the first time, how would you describe the festival in your own words?

Adewunmi Adekunle: I would describe ITANSAN Artfest as a light. That’s just the simple definition because ITANSAN itself means ‘Ray of light’. In the context of our festival, I would say it’s a light that’s been shown to a path of our culture, tradition and our ancestors. In essence, ITANSAN Artfest is a guiding light for the younger generation to know and have the knowledge of our culture, and where we are coming from. We really need the knowledge of where we are coming from, to navigate through where we are going.

The Lagos Voice: What inspired the creation of ITANSAN ARTFEST, and why was now the right time to launch it?

Adewunmi Adekunle: A lot of knowledge, things I had to learn, relearn about our culture, tradition and especially our ancestors. Because, I was born and grew up in Lagos, but I had to trace my origin to Ife, as a Princess. So, I began to visit Ile-Ife (palace and entirety) more, I found myself learning about things I didn’t know, and finding ways to erase my misconception. In short, I started learning and I was seeing a clearer light to them. However, I thought of not keeping the knowledge to myself alone, indicating the need to show more young and curious people what I am seeing, about the festivals.

Regarding the launching happening now, we have been planning for 3 years, but I am happy it’s happening now.

The Lagos Voice: The Nigerian creative scene is evolving rapidly. Where does ITANSAN ARTFEST fit into that larger cultural conversation?

Adewunmi Adekunle: The Artfest stands right in the middle, and that’s due to what we are bringing into this upcoming creative scene, which is originality. Actually, it’s something we have lacked, overtime. In most cases, stories being told can’t be traced to a particular origin. However, we are doing ITANSAN Artfest in the contemporary way, we want youth to enjoy it, in an understanding way, but without losing the originality of what it really means.

The Lagos Voice: Young Nigerians are increasingly using art as a form of identity, activism, and expression. How does the festival speak to this generation?

Adewunmi Adekunle: This period, we are enjoying different art forms, but we will be making ITANSAN Artfest more entertaining. We will be educating youths, and also entertaining them likewise. This festival will be speaking the language that youths want to hear, and that’s why we are using every form of art to bring it to life.

The Lagos Voice: What opportunities does the festival create for emerging artists, creatives, and young cultural workers?

Adewunmi Adekunle: At the festival, we would be having people who our culture and heritage really matters to. We will be having our royal fathers, royal mothers, stakeholders and more at the festival. Also, we will be exhibiting emerging artists, designers, and even performers. Sincerely, I believe it would bridge a gap to link the younger generation to the older generation. It will also be a platform to network. Aside from that, as the Host, we will be giving opportunities to creators in the festival, to promote sustainability.

The Lagos Voice: Beyond entertainment, what kind of impact or conversations are you hoping attendees leave with?

Adewunmi Adekunle: After the festival, we will be looking forward to young people having a serious conversation about the misconception they have had relating to our ancestors, culture and tradition. We just want to use entertainment to bring this reform to young individuals.

The Lagos Voice: Also, In what ways is ITANSAN ARTFEST creating space for collaboration across different creative industries, music, fashion, film, visual art, tech, etc.?

Adewunmi Adekunle: From the conception of this festival, it has been a work of collaboration, and we really want to do more.

The Lagos Voice: How are you making the event engaging for first-time festival goers or young people who may not usually attend art events?

Adewunmi Adekunle: It’s an Art festival, and we have been putting in place to make people have the feeling, with the hall arrangements. Also, we will have an adire class, where they get to see how Adire is being made. To make it more artistic, we will be having a board filled with different cultural elements from drums to sekere and erukere, where they can paint. Most of the festival materials come with a lot of cultural messages and stories. Attendees really need to watch out, honestly.

The Lagos Voice: Also, What makes ITANSAN ARTFEST different from other art and culture festivals happening in Ibadan right now?

Adewunmi Adekunle: The core educational and entertainment part makes it different from any other festivals that have happened in Ibadan. Also, we are merging two things together and that’s originality and entertainment.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow The Lagos Voice on WhatsApp channel for latest updates

The Lagos Voice: Ibadan is often described as the cultural heartbeat of Africa. How does the city influence the energy and direction of the festival?

Adewunmi Adekunle: At the conception of this festival, we thought of holding it at Lagos, or even Ife judging with my originality, but I thought of a middle ground because this festival would not always be in Ibadan, subsequently. But, Ibadan is more like a meeting point for everybody in the Southwest and it is in the commercial, cultural part of the city.

Also, in the course of preparing this festival, I have met people who are eager to support young creatives like me, in telling this cultural element.

The Lagos Voice: Additionally, How important is it for festivals like this to spotlight local stories, indigenous creativity, and underrepresented voices?

Adewunmi Adekunle: It’s very important and I would tell you that this festival’s essence is to spotlight indigenous stories, and that can be seen in publicity aids we have been putting out there, in the last few days, using local elements.

The Lagos Voice: What role do you think young African creatives will play in shaping global culture over the next decade?

Adewunmi Adekunle: As young creatives, we should be playing the game-changer when it comes to our culture, because we have always come across the misconception that sticks with our generation with culture going into extinction.

Fortunately, the reverse is the case nowadays with the emergence of creative people wanting to document African culture, generally. We are putting our culture on a global stage, with creative ideas through our recent exposure.

The Lagos Voice: What kind of support does the Nigerian creative ecosystem still need in order to thrive sustainably?

Adewunmi Adekunle: There’s a lot to do, in order to strive, and that’s the vibes and zeal. You basically have to convince people to support you in all ramifications, even though it’s okay but at the extent of doing that, you might still see little or no help. Unfortunately, the situation in the country is not helping either.

Also, we need the older generation to accept us, in seeing further into what we are doing, and also offer moral and financial support. The government also has a role to play, and that’s in the place of investing, provision of grants. In essence, we need opportunities to grow and thrive.

The Lagos Voice: And finally, why should young people in Ibadan make time for ITANSAN ARTFEST?

Adewunmi Adekunle: ITANSAN Artfest is just different. It’s about every youth in different modules, ranging from the artistic.