WSiCE Organizes Events in Lagos and London to Celebrate Wole Soyinka’s 90th Birthday

The 15th edition of the annual Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange is set to be held between July 13 and July 27, 2024.

The edition, coincides with the 90th birthday (July 13) of the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, whose exceptional life story and illustrious career as a quintessential artist and global humanist, inspired the birth of the project in 2010.

This was disclosed in a statement by WSICE’s Media and Communications Unit, and made available to the press late Monday.

The event will be held in two tranches – July 13 to 16 (virtual and onsite) in Nigeria; and July 19 to July 27 in London, England.

The WS90/WSICE2024 theme for the event, ‘E.N.I.O.G.U.N – Engaging National Interest on Good Governance, Understanding and Nation-Building,’ is premised on the general condition of humanity, but specifically for this milestone edition, it is focused on Nigeria; a nation to which Soyinka “has devoted his life-long career as a multi-talented/skilled artist, public intellectual and as well, human/civil rights activist.”

The statement noted that the theme is a “summation of the over seven decades commitment and struggles of Soyinka as a nationalist, patriot, and humanist — as can be gleaned from his voluptuous creative works and consistent public engagement.”

The event will feature programmes such as essay writing, advocacy, Do Your Own Thing and performances.

While reflecting on the theme, the Executive Producer, WSICE, Dr. Teju Kareem, said, “Prof. Soyinka has pursued the betterment of society through his support for freedom and the common good of all irrespective of age, class, gender, religious or political persuasions — making his work a global service to humanity. His career spanning academia, literature, and activism exemplifies a profound commitment to creating a just and equitable world, thus encapsulating the essence of E.N.I.O.G.U.N as both a personal and a universal pursuit.”

Also featuring in the event is an evening of Sight and Sound designed in creative performances such as music, drama, dance, poetry & spoken words, among others.

Performances in Nigeria will include the presentation of a theatrical masterpiece, ‘The Noble Warrior – Eni Ogun,’ and the staging of Soyinka’s classic, ‘The Lion and the Jewel.’

More so, the highlight of the UK leg of the celebration will be the London premiere of a feature film inspired by Soyinka’s classic prison memoir, titled. ‘The Man Died.’

Organised in collaboration with The Africa Centre, the event enjoys the support and participation of reputable institutions in the UK such as the London School of Economics, Bournemouth University, amongst others.

The WSICE’s mission is to “reaffirm and elevate the dignity of man through the platforms of literature, arts, and culture. Project WSICE seeks to create unity among mankind regardless of nationality, culture, or religion by focusing on youth as the future of humanity.” among others.