FirstBank Champions the Arts: Sponsors inaugural Lagos International Theatre Festival
BY TEMITOPE ADEBAYO
FirstBank Limited, has announced its sponsorship of the inaugural Lagos International Theatre Festival, a three-day celebration of arts, creativity, and cultural diversity.
This event, part of FirstBank’s First@arts initiative, is set to take place from November 15 to 17, 2024 and aims to attract over 20,000 attendees from around the world.
In partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters and the Lagos State Government, the festival will serve as a vibrant platform for local and international artistic expressions, showcasing a diverse range of performances, including adult theatre, children’s theatre, skits, and storytelling. The festival will be held at four iconic venues across Lagos: Muson Centre, TerraKulture, National Theatre, and JK Randle Centre.
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The festival promises to feature a rich array of productions by emerging and established artists, alongside notable plays such as The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives and Satchmo at The Waldorf.
In addition to performances, attendees can engage in workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, and a marketplace, all aimed at fostering growth and creativity within the entertainment industry. Renowned Nigerian artists including Joke Silva, Kehinde Bankole, Osas Ighodaro, and Broda Shaggi are also set to participate, making the festival a must-attend event for theatre enthusiasts.
Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, expressed the bank’s commitment to supporting the arts, stating, “Our sponsorship of the Lagos International Theatre Festival is a continuation of our dedication to the arts and the creative value chain. Through the First@arts initiative, we champion the growth of creative talent and contribute to Nigeria’s vibrant cultural landscape.”
Bolanle Austen-Peters, founder of BAP Productions, emphasised the importance of nurturing the creative industry, saying, “The creative sector is the heart of a thriving nation. Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of imaginative talent, and it is crucial to provide a platform for our creatives to share their stories and positive values with the world.”
As part of its broader First@arts initiative, FirstBank aims to empower youth and engage stakeholders in exploring opportunities within Nigeria’s creative industry. The festival will also kick off FirstBank’s annual “DecemberIssaVybe” campaign, which promotes the arts and entertainment sector through a series of events and performances throughout December, providing a vibrant homecoming experience for both locals and visitors.
With this sponsorship, FirstBank reinforces its position as a leading patron of the arts, contributing significantly to the cultural and entertainment fabric of Nigeria and empowering the next generation of creative talents.
