A World Cup for the Arts?

Most countries especially the soccer loving countries every four years look forward to the FIFA World Cup, and like the World Cup all countries of the world look forward every four years to the Olympics. In Africa, every two years every country within the continent looks forward to the Nation Cup. The excitement and anxiety which characterises these events are so overwhelming and unparalled .

The same thing cannot be said for culture. The last huge cultural gathering that had similar characteristics is FESTAC 77, the gains and the cultural awareness which the events created cannot be rivalled, and so it is astonishing why its objectives and ideals are not pursued by leaders of cultural establishment around the continents. Can we have a cultural world cup or an African cultural event, just like our counter parts in the sports world do?

The generation that experienced the Festac77 event is gradually passing away with vague memories of the performances which they try as hard as they can to relive for their children, who do not understand the sudden excitement that lights up in their parents' eyes at the mention of names like the late Mariam Makeba, the Ipi Tombi dancers, Oke Langbodo, to mention but a few aspects of the brilliance that were the epic of the festival.

Our culture is what defines who we are. I do not think anybody would argue or deny that statement, if so, why then do we not use it judiciously? Culture can generate the same atmosphere as sports, if not better, because with culture we learn something new about each other and other people, unlike sports, where we already know whats going to happen. Just like soccer competitions are organized from high schools, so can cultural competitions be organized; talents are discovered and cultivated.

National festivals go nowhere beyound hosting. As soon as closing remarks are said, it's over until next year. Participants leave with no sense of what next to look forward to, and talents desintegrate. How exhilarating and rewarding it would be if the artistes could aspire to be members of the National Troupe with the same zeal as footballers do when screening for the national team.

Having a National Troupe is the best thing that has happened since Festac77, but when the troupe is only performing nationally and not globally its scope is very limited. Imagine National Troupes from all over the world converging and competing for gold, silver and bronze, within standards that have been approved by a cultural replica of FIFA. If such a body exists, more needs to be done to generate awareness of its existence. Our cultural trustees cannot continue to fail us. Let's give our children some of that Festac 77 excitement we experienced, and establish the essence of our rich cultural heritage.

Tunde Phillips.

Send comments to support@artfricana.com