Felabration promotes Nigerian culture, attracts diaspora tourists – Yeni Kuti

Yeni Kuti, the daughter of late Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Photo: Oghenovo Egodo-Michael

The co-manager of the New Afrika Shrine, Yeni Kuti, says Felabration is a platform that promotes Nigerian culture while celebrating the life and legacy of late Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

Kuti said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Lagos, ahead of the 2026 edition of the annual festival.

According to her, the week-long festival, scheduled to hold from October 12 to October 18, will begin with an art competition on October 1 at the Kalakuta Museum.

She said a dance competition would follow on October 3 at the New Afrika Shrine, while the school debates would hold on October 7.

Kuti added that the ‘Dress Fela’ fashion show was scheduled for October 10, ahead of the main festival.

She said the festival had continued to attract tourists, particularly people of African descent from the diaspora, to the New Afrika Shrine.

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Kuti described the development as positive, adding that the presence of international visitors provided an avenue to showcase Nigeria’s culture to the world.

“It’s a very positive thing because if you come to the Shrine, you see people from all over the world.

“I’m glad that we are doing it and we are promoting our culture,” she said.

NAN reports that Felabration was conceived by Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti in 1998 and has grown into an annual festival featuring music, debates, dance, art and fashion in celebration of Fela’s life and legacy.

NAN

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