By Zainab Olufunmi
Organisers of the Kano International Poetry Festival (KAPFEST) say this year’s festival will promotes peace and resilience through arts.
Mr Nasiba Balale, the Creative Director of Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, who reeled out programmes of events, told newsmen on Friday in Kano that arrangements have been concluded for the hosting of the second edition of KAPFEST.
Babale said that the festival, aimed at using poetry to promote peace had the theme: “Celebrating Poetry in a time of crisis.”
The creative director maintained that poets and artists would leverage the platform to address issues of crisis, healing, and transformation in the society, using literature to spark dialogue, offer refuge, and inspire new solutions to real-world problems.
“It will feature performances, panel discussions, and poetry clinics to foster community engagement and empower voices from Northern Nigeria and beyond.
“It will address peaceful coexistence in the Northern parts through poetry and art, with panel discussion to host the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, on Saturday.
“We will also feature a grand poetry where participants will compete for a prize of N1million, a poetry and music night, an art and poetry exhibition, and a poetry dispensary,”Babale said.
He further explained that the festival, which debut in 2024 at Bayero University, Kano, is anticipating to have more than 500 participants in attendance.
She said that participants were being expected from Lagos, Kaduna, Zaria, Minna and Jos, as well as virtual participants from outside the country.
The director expressed optimism that the festival would become one of leading literary gatherings in Nigeria in the coming years.
Malam Dzukogi, the Founder of Hill-top Creative Arts, who would be given the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award, applauded the organisers of the festival.
“I love the fact that the organisers reached out to artists from across Nigeria. Everything about the festival, including the halls, is beautiful,”he said.
He urged young writers to remain committed to creativity and discipline, while calling on adults to create enabling conditions, noting that their only option is to be good, functional, and creative.
“They should not wait for opportunities; rather create them. Whatever you do, add something new and innovative, that is how societies grow,”he said.
