Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Leo Igwe
Published on 2024-01-31 15:59:10
The African freethought community has announced the first edition of its music and art festival, which will be held in Lagos later this year. The theme of the festival is “Imagine there is no heaven,” which is derived from the title of John Lennon’s song. As the theme suggests, the festival aims to showcase music, songs, and artistic works that emphasize this-worldly ideals and values, secular and humanistic cosmologies. The event will celebrate African freethought musicians and artists, with displays and performances that highlight iconoclastic ideals and sentiments, as well as an art exhibition and a panel discussion on freethought music and art.
One of the highlights of the festival will be the secular musical performances from around the world, with expectations for the godless gospel band from the US to make an appearance. Additionally, the event will include participants from music departments and art faculties, as well as plans for a talent hunt and auditions for young and upcoming musicians, singers, and performers.
The significance of the festival lies in its opportunity to highlight the existence of African freethought music and musicians, as well as African freethought art and artists. The event aims to correct mistaken and stereotypic notions of African art as strictly rooted in religion and belief in a deity, drawing attention to musical lyrics and artistic expressions that are nonreligious, critical of religion and otherworldliness, and emphasize happiness in the here and now, in this life and this world.
Moreover, the festival will provide a forum to celebrate and enjoy African freethought musical lyrics, such as Fela Kuti’s “Amen Amen Amen” and Femi Kuti’s “Wonder Wonder Wonder,” which have not received the attention they deserve and have not been placed within their ideological contexts. The festival is an opportunity to fill this musical gap and supply this artistic missing link.
Furthermore, the event aims to lead to the discovery of unknown and uncelebrated freethought musicians and performers from Nigeria and other parts of Africa. This festival will produce, inspire, and help discover new freethought musical talents from Africa.
The festival also serves as an opportunity for freethought musicians and artists to showcase their works and talents in a friendly and positive environment. It invites those who enjoy freethought music and art to join this historic cultural festival.
Leo Igwe, a co-organizer of the African Freethought and Music Festival, invites individuals to send their news stories to [email protected] and follow News Ghana on Google News.
