The 2023 edition of the yearly Felabration festival has been scheduled to hold from Monday, October 9 to Sunday, October 15. The week-long celebration is in honour of the legacy of late afrobeat singer, Fela Kuti.
The announcement was made through a press release in Lagos on Friday, June 16, 2023, themed ‘Question Jam Answer,’ a classic record composed by Fela which was released in 1972.
The song is said to fit into the current socio-political period of the country after the general elections where people are asking and seeking answers to questions.
The festival will involve senior secondary schools’ debate, Fela debates (symposium), Afrobics dance competition, artwork competition, dress Fela fashion competition, musical concert, among other activities.
Some local and foreign music artistes would be performing live at the concert which will be held at the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos. It would be a showcase of African music, creativity and resilience through art, dance, fashion and music.
The festival was conceived by the daughter of the late music maestro, Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, in 1998 to honour the legacy of her father.
Speaking about how she feels about the festival, Yeni told Merrymakers, “Felabration is my baby. I came up with the idea after my father died. I wanted to celebrate him as if he was still alive like his birthday. I wanted to celebrate because he loved his birthday. Felebration was my special way of keeping his name and memory alive. This is something I want to pass on to young people. I am talking with some youngsters who I’m hoping are going to be very positive to the growth of Felabration. I am 62 now. How long do I have to be running and doing Felabration? As much as I would want the festival to go on, I want to be at the sidelines.”
