Evelyn Osagie is guest poet as festival on culture, sustainability holds in Asaba, Delta

By Editor

THE Indigenous Arts Festival (IAF) ‘360 is set to begin in Asaba, Delta State capital, as the city comes alive with vibrant cultural activities in the 4-day festival from Thursday, September 26 — 29, 2024 at Delta State Film Village, Anwai, Asaba. The festival will feature vibrant cultural displays, workshops, fire-side storytelling, drumming, visual arts, film, books, poetry, and performances that highlight indigenous traditions and sustainability.

The cultural carnival has as theme ‘Ecosystem Sustainability through Indigenous Knowledge and Practices’, and promises a thrilling experience with the magic of traditional knowledge on full display through immersive cultural encounters amidst nature’s tranquility, according to the festival director, Uba Chukwuemeke Washington.

“The purpose of the Indigenous Arts Festival is to create awareness and revive our cultural heritage through different indigenous art styles and techniques, including visual arts, dance, drama, music, poetry, etc. Through this event, those who have indigenous knowledge in different fields of art will share their experiences/expertise with the younger generation. The event is a veritable platform for networking with like minds. Attendees and cultural enthusiasts will experience the rhythm of traditional music and enjoy arts in various forms. It will also offer them the opportunity join the lively riel dancing, partake in moving ceremonies and relive childhood memories of gathering around the fireplace for storytelling that will transport audiences through time.”

Artist/performance poet Evelyn Osagie is taking her poetic and fabric art campaigns for environmental sustainability to the festival. Known on stage as Evelyn D’POET, Osagie is the festival’s guest poet. She will also lead a Textile Workshop on tie-and-dye techniques that promotes slow and sustainable fashion. She would be showcasing various design practices and her fabric artworks, driven by the idea of sustainable lifestyle. Festival guests will also engage with her style and immerse themselves in practical activities where they will create their own version of ‘sustainability’ fabrics.

Performer Evelyn D’Poet Osagie

Also, widely celebrated actor, Soibofae Dokubo, will anchor a session on storytelling. He will take guests into the imaginative world of African storytelling under the moonlight.

Also, as part of its environmental sustainability campaign, the Woman Editor of The Sun newspaper and Co-founder, One Million Tree Initiative, Josfyn Uba will also lead the Green Workshop, which is in partnership with One Million Tree Initiative, devoted to engage students in primary and secondary schools students on environmental issues such as climate action and encourage them to think sustainability.

The ICC Youth Creative Club will partner with Afro-Art Studio to also offer an art and crafts workshop to nurture creativity among the youths