By Anote Ajeluorou
For the 2015 edition of ‘Vision of the Child’ art section of
Lagos Black Heritage Festival (LBHF 2015) for children ages 8-12, it’s The Road to Sambisa, a theme Festival
Director, Prof. Wole Soyinka has designed for them to solidarise with their
yet-to-be recovered Chibok schoolgirls. This was announced last Thursday at the
unveiling of next year’s edition of the contest at Freedom Park, Lagos.
Each year children
are given an idea to work on. Amazingly, the children have lived up to
expectations, as their compositions have always been apt in dealing with
otherwise complex themes, usually of the failings of adults world. Screening
for the contestants starts January 12, as forms are now available at festival
secretariat or online at www.votc.lagosblackheritagefestival.com.
According to
Soyinka, “The 2015 edition continues the innovation that was introduced in
2014, as an interactive test to stretch youthful imagination and skills across
genres. Instead of the uni-disciplinary interpretation of the given theme,
participants will express their vision in two creative media: Painting and the
Literary Art – poetry, prose, fiction, or essay. The journey begins with the
latter section – a poem, essay, or short story – on the chosen theme. Those who
scale through this stage will then be invited to Freedom Park, provided with
brush, paint and easel and set to illustrate their literary presentation in the
complementary medium of –Painting”.
While unveiling this
year’s contest, Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Mr. Disu
Holloway, said he thoroughly enjoyed the entire festival last year and invited
the general public to be part of the forthcoming festival coming up in
March/April next year. He also praised the young artists for their initiative
in explicating somewhat difficult themes and giving them clarity on canvas.
Holloway used the
occasion to sue for corporate sponsorship of the festival, especially as many
people urged that the age limit be extended beyond 12 years to accommodate more
teenagers who pass through the lower age range. Holloway said supporting the
arts was an avenue to lift the culture sector of the country and the state and
meaningfully engage those active in culture production.
“I’m throwing a
challenge to other banks and companies to take up sponsorship from age 13-18
and above,” Holloway noted. “We invited other banks, but they have cold feet in
sponsorship of this event. We will speak to Soyinka fi he can extend the age
beyond 12. Banks should begin to show interest in things that are cultural and
ennobling. We need funding top do it. We need the private sector to come in. Developing
the child is becoming so important, and that’s why Lagos State Government will
continue to sponsor this festival. We need to celebrate culture and the things
that make us relax and enjoy.”
Festival Secretary,
Foluke Michael, said ‘Vision of the Child’ art contest took a different twist
since 2012 with the incorporation of literary element to the contest, whereby
contestants are required to write an essay or short story before illustrating
it on canvas. She said so far, some 96 paintings have been collected at Lagos
Black Heritage Festival Hall of Fame from paintings from the contest. Also, some
2,500 schools will be reached this year, with a road-show already in place.
Michael said the festival was at the forefront
of bringing out the best in children, just as the children have shown a knack
for astuteness in the way they handle given subjects each year, adding, “From
what these children have shown so far, we have brains, skills, intellect here
in Lagos. We’re creating a solid platform for young people who have no voice.
Our children need to be mentored and trained today for us to realize our
tomorrow”.
Michael disclosed
that a top American IT company had seen the potential of the programme and was
ready to get on board and be part of it.
Some of the
children, who participated in last year’s contest, were available to narrate
their experiences. In sum, they described their experience as ‘exciting,
interesting, amazing’, while some ‘felt on top of the world’; yet others
thanked Diamond Bank for sponsorship of ‘Vision of the Child’ contest that has
given them a platform to put their artistic talent to good use. A past winner
said his prize money was safely lodged in Diamond Bank account.
The bank,
represented by its media official, Mr. Udoka Oguamanam, stated the bank’s excitement
at helping to reaslise the vision of the child artists, and promised to
continue its support for more children to be part of the ennobling vision.
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