WSICE Announces Lagos and London Events to Honor Wole Soyinka on His 90th Birthday
The 15th edition of the annual Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) is slated to take place from July 13 to July 27, 2024, in celebration of Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday. This edition of the event will pay tribute to Soyinka’s remarkable life and career as an iconic artist and global humanist, which inspired the inception of the project in 2010.
As revealed by WSICE’s Media and Communications Unit in a statement released late Monday and obtained by PUNCH Online, the event will unfold in two parts. The first segment will run from July 13 to 16, featuring both virtual and onsite activities in Nigeria, while the second phase will occur from July 19 to July 27 in London, England.
Under the theme ‘E.N.I.O.G.U.N – Engaging National Interest on Good Governance, Understanding, and Nation-Building,’ WSICE2024 aims to explore issues pertinent to humanity at large, with a particular focus on Nigeria. The choice of theme reflects Soyinka’s lifelong dedication to Nigeria as a versatile artist, public intellectual, and human/civil rights advocate.
Dr. Teju Kareem, the Executive Producer of WSICE, reflected on Soyinka’s enduring legacy, emphasizing his tireless advocacy for freedom and social justice across various spheres. Kareem underscored Soyinka’s contributions to creating a fair and inclusive society, echoing the essence of E.N.I.O.G.U.N as a personal and universal pursuit.
The event’s lineup includes diverse programs such as essay writing, advocacy initiatives, ‘Do Your Own Thing,’ and captivating performances. Notable highlights will include theatrical productions like ‘The Noble Warrior – Eni Ogun’ and a rendition of Soyinka’s renowned work, ‘The Lion and the Jewel,’ alongside creative performances encompassing music, drama, dance, poetry, and spoken word presentations.
In the UK leg of the celebration, attendees can anticipate the London premiere of a feature film inspired by Soyinka’s seminal prison memoir, titled ‘The Man Died.’ Collaborating with The Africa Centre, WSICE has garnered support from esteemed institutions including the London School of Economics and Bournemouth University.
WSICE’s overarching mission is to uphold human dignity through literature, arts, and culture, fostering unity among humanity irrespective of nationality, culture, or religion, with a special focus on youth empowerment for the betterment of society.
