The yearly Felabration festival, dedicated to honouring the legacy of late Afrobeat singer Fela Kuti, has scheduled its 2023 edition to take place from Monday, October 9 to Sunday, October 15. The announcement was made through a press release in Lagos on Friday, June 16, 2023.
The theme for this year’s event is ‘Question Jam Answer,’ inspired by Fela’s iconic 1972 track. The song resonates with the present socio-political climate of the country, as people are actively seeking answers and asking important questions following the recent general elections.
Recall that in 1998, Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, the daughter of the late music legend, conceptualized the festival as a means to commemorate and uphold her father’s enduring legacy.
Speaking about how she feels about the festival, Yeni told Merrymakers: “Felabration is my baby. I came up with the idea after my father died. I wanted to celebrate him as if he was still alive like his birthday. I wanted to celebrate because he loved his birthday. Felebration was my special way of keeping his name and memory alive.
This is something I want to pass on to young people. I am talking with some youngsters who I’m hoping are going to be very positive to the growth of Felabration. I am 62 now. How long do I have to be running and doing Felabration? As much as I would want the festival to go on, I want to be at the sidelines.”
The festival will feature a range of engaging activities, including a debate for senior secondary schools, Fela debates (symposium), an Afrobics dance competition, an artwork competition, a dress Fela fashion competition, and a captivating musical concert, among other activities.
