Set to run throughout the month of July 2024, the WSICE 2024 programming content is designed to celebrate the values and virtues that have defined the illustrious personality and career of Wole Soyinka, who clocks 90 on July 13.
The theme E.N.I.O.G.U.N sums-up his life-long commitment to the cause of nation building through his relentless fight for the national interest that would ensure good governance for the common good of the general citizenry. While the theme shows appreciation of Soyinka’s commitment to his birth country, Nigeria, it is by extension an appreciation of his global service to humanity in general, which has seen him advocating for respect for the rights and freedom of citizens all over the world.
Celebrations will embrace several programing ideas that have been the features of the WSICE since its birth in 2010. This include: Essay Writing, Advocacy, Do Your Own Thing & Performances.
In its 15th year, the annual WSICE essay competition has garnered over 10,000 essays written by students, mostly the Senior Secondary Students (SSS) cadre in the age range 12-17 years old.
The 2024 edition, marking the 90th birthday anniversary of the Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka — whose name and iconic global status inspired it — is expected to receive greater volume of essays than in previous years.
D-Y-O-T: After the reception over 1000 youths would converge at the Ijegba Forestage, the WSICE theatre site in Soyinka’s backyard, to engage in a hybrid Do-Your-Own-Thing open-air creative expressions. The event will be live televised and streamed via various social media platforms.
A cultural evening will be followed by an evening of Sight & Sound designed in creative performances — music, drama, dance, poetry &spoken words, fashion parade, craft displays and film screening, among others.
Since inception, the annual WSICE event has always hosted an Advocacy Session that is either in the form of a Conference, Seminar, Symposium or Debates. This session always features eminent scholars and resource persons cutting across disciplines, age, gender and creed. The 2024 edition, being a milestone, will be held in collaboration with the Nigeria Academy of Letters, NAL, and has been slated for July 11 at the prestigious Main Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka. Reception:
A multi-podal programme content, including Wole Soyinka : A Life in Full, an exhibition of portraits of the laureate from childhood through adulthood, a collection of drawings and paintings inspired by the the celebrant through the Vision of the Child project, which he superintended in his days as Festival Consultant to the Lagos Black Heritage Festival, LBHF, and display of a rare collection of the manuscripts of the famous Onitsha literature — a passion project by the laureate.
Harmony and Verses: An evening of exclusive music and poetry performances. With a line-up of iconic artistes like Tunji Oyelana, Ed Keazor, Aduke, Kayefi, Maka, Chika Jones, oratory tributes will be offered in honour of the enigma Wole Soyinka.
An open access event for young people throughout the duration of the exhibition dated July 20 – July 27. Giving young people an opportunity to engage with the culturally relevant works as a form of education. A Conversation with Wole Soyinka event at the Africa Centre. This event is an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and get direct answers from the noble laureate.
The highlight will be the London premiere of THE MAN DIED, the feature film inspired by his classic prison memoir of same title. Featuring top bills in Nigerian film industry, including Wale Ojo, Sam Dede, Nobert Young, Francis Onwochei, Christiana Osunniyi, and Hollywood actor, Abraham Amkpa, and others, the film is directed by Awam Amkpa, Soyinka’s former student and professor of theatre, media and cultural Aesthetics at the New York University, Abu-Dabi, where he is currently Dean of Humanities and Deputy Provost.
The event is in collaboration with reputable institutions in the UK such as the London School of Economy, Bournemouth University amongst others.
An evening of exclusive music and poetry performances by iconic artistes. With a line-up of Tunji Oyelana, Ed Keazor, Aduke, Kayefi, Chika Jones, oratory tributes will be offered in honour of the enigma Wole Soyinka.
Tentative Programme schedule
Date
Activity
Venue
19th July
Opening event / Film Premiere
Partner Venue
20th July
Exhibition / Film Screening
Africa Centre
21st July
Special Moment – Curated by Lekan Babalola
Exhibition / Film Screening
Africa Centre
22nd July
Exhibition / Film Screening
Presentation by Decolonization hub, Bournemouth University
Africa Centre
23rd July
Talks We Need – (speakers to be decided)
Exhibition/ Film Screening
Africa Centre
24th July
As It I; The Truth Teller (speakers to be decided)
Exhibition / Film Screening
Africa Centre
25th July
Conversations with Wole Soyinka / Exhibition / Film Screening
Africa Centre
26th July
WS- Life in Full; in conversation with Ben Okri
Harmony and Verses: evening of music and poetry for Kongi
Exhibition / Film Screening
Africa Centre
27th July
Who We Are – I am because you are – WS Legacy, Prof Lily Cheng
Exhibition / Film Screening
Closing Event
Africa Centre
Closing Event
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