EU promises fresh support for Nigeria’s creative sector

The European Union has pledged fresh funding for Nigeria’s creative sector, including projects intended to support artists, cultural events and collaborations between African and European creators. EU Ambassador to Nigeria Gautier Mignot announced the planned support on Saturday during the opening of the first Lagos Contemporary Circus Festival at Lawn A of the National Theatre in Surulere, Lagos. Mignot said the EU would provide funding through the Europe-Africa Partnerships for Culture.

He said the programme would help empower African artists and promote co-creation with European artists. The ambassador also said the EU would continue working with cultural organisations and supporting events across Nigeria. He cited the National Theatre and the Lagos Biennial of Contemporary Art as partners, and said the EU had supported the Kano Creative Summit organised by the National Theatre as well as film festivals in the country.

The two-day circus festival brought together performers from Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Switzerland. Its programme included dance, acrobatics, juggling and other forms of contemporary circus. Mignot described the event as international, colourful and energetic.

He said he hoped it would continue in future years, attract additional sponsors and draw more artists from Africa, Europe and elsewhere. Tola Akerele, the National Theatre’s general manager and chief executive, said the festival was intended to increase understanding of contemporary circus and demonstrate Nigeria’s potential in the art form. She said the discipline combined dance, movement, acrobatics and sport, adding that Nigerian artists had the talent and cultural resources to develop their own stories.

Akerele called for greater support for cultural activities and said the audience included children, young adults and older people. Organisers collected attendees’ email addresses to provide information about future performances.